GOODWAY VAC-EX-AV-25SS Explosion Proof Vacuums Cleaner User Guide
- June 13, 2024
- goodway
Table of Contents
Goodway Buying Guide
“Explosion Proof” Vacuums
VAC-EX-AV-25SS Explosion Proof Vacuums Cleaner
Understanding how to identify and prevent explosion and fire risks in the work
environment is critical to protecting your staff and your facility, giving you
peace of mind to focus on other critical areas to run your business
effectively. In this buying guide, we
will outline the various certifications for explosion proof vacuums,
classifications, divisions and groups that define the type of risk and what to
look for in an effective explosion proof vacuum.
About Goodway “Explosion Proof” Vacuums
Goodway offers a wide range of quality commercial and specialty “explosion
proof” industrial vacuum cleaners that have been created to meet professional
maintenance needs. Explosion proof vacuums are designed for specific
applications when hazardous materials are needed to be picked up. These types
of vacuum cleaners are certified “explosion proof” and are available in wet
and dry explosion proof configurations. They are certified for hazardous and
flammable material pickup. We also offer electric and air-powered models.
Explosion proof industrial vacuums are certified for use in hazardous
locations with the following certifications:
Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, D
Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, D
Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, G (NFPA 70)
Class II, Division 2, Groups F & G
Explosion Risk Level Classification
Choosing equipment like industrial explosion proof vacuum cleaners or other power tools requires an understanding of the explosion and fire risks of an area. It is also vital that people working nearby are aware of the dangers in their work environment. In order to assist with the selection of electrical equipment, NEC Chapter 5, Articles 500-506 use the class/division/group system to indicate the different risk levels. Zone/group systems are also used sometimes by designers, based on NEC Articles 505 & 506 and developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Class defines the kind of hazardous material present in the area.
- Class I (Article 501): Combustible or flammable gasses or vapors are present. (e.g., hydrogen, gasoline)
- Class II (Article 502): Combustible dust is present. (e.g., grain dust is a silo)
- Class III (Article 503): Easily ignitable fibers are present. (e.g., cotton fibers in a textile mill)
Division defines the likelihood that a hazardous material may be present in sufficient quantities to ignite or explode.
- Division I: There is a high probability that sufficient quantities of an ignitable substance may be present during normal operating conditions, during a repair or maintenance, or because of an equipment breakdown.
- Division II: There is a low probability that sufficient quantities of an ignitable substance may be present during normal operating conditions. Hazardous conditions would only exist if a flammable substance were released during an accident or the failure of the ventilation system that removes ignitable contaminants from the space.
Group defines the type of hazard in the atmosphere.
-
Group A: Acetylene
Groups B through D identify the flammable substances in the atmosphere based on their maximum experimental safe gap (MESG) and minimum igniting current (MIC) ratio. -
Group B: Substances having either a MESG value less than or equal to 0.45 mm or a MIC ratio less than or equal to 0.40 (examples include hydrogen or similar gasses).
-
Group C: Substances having either a MESG value greater than 0.45 mm and less than or equal to 0.75 mm, or a MIC ratio greater than 0.40 and less than or equal to 0.80 (examples include ethylene or similar gasses).
-
Group D: Substances having either a MESG value greater than 0.75 mm or a MIC ratio greater than 0.80 (examples include propane or similar gasses).
-
Group E : Atmospheres containing combustible metal dusts, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial alloys, or other combustible dusts whose particle size, abrasiveness, and conductivity present similar hazards in the use of electrical equipment.
-
Group F: Atmospheres containing combustible carbonaceous dusts that have more than 8 percent total entrapped volatiles or that have been sensitized by other materials so that they present an explosion hazard. Coal, carbon black, charcoal, and coke dusts are examples of carbonaceous dusts.
-
Group G: Atmospheres containing combustible dusts not included in Group E or F, including flour, grain, wood, plastic, and chemicals.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States
defines combustible dust as “a solid material composed of distinct particles
or pieces, regardless of size, shape, or chemical composition, which presents
a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing
medium over a range of concentrations.
Hazardous Locations: Classes, Divisions and Groups
Particles in the air, such as dust, have amazing combustible properties. An
entire factory can be destroyed by an explosion of combustible dust. A dust
explosion usually follows a similar pattern, as the 2008 Imperial Sugar
refinery catastrophe demonstrated – a blast disperses dust into a cloud, which
ignites and fuels a powerful chain of secondary explosions. That’s why using
an explosion-proof vacuum is critical to protecting your people and your
plant.
The following are example areas and the classifications of those locations:
An enclosed gain silo:
- Class II because of combustible dust.
- Division I because dust is present during normal operation.
- Group G because grain dust is in the atmosphere.
Propane tank storage room:
- Class I because of flammable vapor.
- Division II because flammable vapor would only leak from the tanks if there was an accident.
- Group D because propane is in the atmosphere.
A coal storage building:
- Class II because of combustible dust.
- Division I because dust is present during normal operation.
- Group F because of coal storage.
This information is intended as reference material only and should not be used as advice when choosing specialty industrial vacuum cleaner equipment for your facility. Using incorrect vacuum cleaners can create explosive hazards and should be avoided at all times. Please contact your safety officer or maintenance personnel for your specific location/ business regarding choosing the correct equipment.
GOODWAY TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
420 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902-6384 U.S.A.
Call Us Today: 1-800-333-7467 | Fax:
203-359-9601
goodway@goodway.com •
www.goodway.com
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>