After revision, the updated version of the standard sheet VDMA 24388:2019-10 'Shot blasting technology - Fire and explosion protection' is available. For improved comprehensibility, the text has been editorially adapted from VDMA 24388:2012-07. In addition, the text has been translated into English.
The VDMA specification deals with the assessment of fire and explosion hazards of the dusts produced during the shot blasting process. Preventive, constructive and organisational measures are shown.
Depending on the material of the workpiece to be blasted and the shot blast media used, the dust produced during the shot blasting process can be flammable. Flammable blasting dust whirled up creates an explosive dust atmosphere. A corresponding risk of explosion is to be expected, especially in filtering separators.
For the shot blasting processes considered in VDMA 24388, the blasting of light metal components and blasting with light metal abrasives poses the highest explosion risk, as severe dust explosions from the past confirm.
Shot blasting of steel workpieces with steel abrasives has a significantly lower explosion risk than blasting light metal. Only a few explosion events are known without any major impact on the installation area.
The predominantly weak explosion behaviour of steel shot blasting dusts is confirmed by the test results of the explosion characteristics of hundreds of steel shot blasting dusts (GESTIS-STAUB-EX database, www.dguv.de/ifa/de/gestis/expl/index.jsp).
VDMA 24388:2019-10 can be obtained from Beuth Verlag, Berlin, Germany, Tel. +49 30 2601-2260. VDMA members can download the specification in German and English at https://www.vdma.org/dater-vdma-einheitsblaetter#catalogs free of charge.
Autor(en): Ke
