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Laboratory testing for dust explosion hazard
We are a UK based company specialising in laboratory testing of dusts for explosion hazard. Fill in the dust testing application form for prices.
DSEAR (UK) & ATEX (Europe) are applicable for any potentially explosive substance that is found in the workplace. If the explosion hazard of the material is unknown, the classification test provides a simple means of screening to establish whether a dust is combustible or not.
Classification Test
Group A : Combustible dust which ignites and propagates flame. The dust is an explosion hazard.
Group B : Non combustible dust which does not ignite. The dust is not an explosion hazard.
If Group A is determined (combustible dust), further lab tests are required to provide information on the explosion and ignition characteristics of the material and show compliance with the essential safety requirements of ATEX or DSEAR.
Layer Ignition Temperature
This laboratory test determines the lowest temperature at which a layer of dust of specific thickness (usually 5mm) ignites on a heated surface. By limiting the temperature of any surface inside the company workplace, fires caused by motors and electric light fittings for example can be avoided.
Minimum Ignition Temperature
The minimum ignition temperature is the lowest temperature of a hot surface that will cause a dust cloud to ignite and propagate flame.
Minimum Ignition Energy
The minimum ignition energy is a measure of how sensitive a combustible dust is electrical or electrostatic ignition. It gives guidance on whether ignition by electrostatic discharge from plant personnel or process conditions is likely to occur in practice.
Explosion Indices
This laboratory test measures the maximum explosion pressure and rate of pressure rise. These parameters are commonly used to design explosion protection systems – explosion venting and explosion suppression.
Minimum Explosible Concentration
This is the lowest concentration of a combustible dust that will support combustion. It may be used as an explosion prevention measure in area where the concentration of the dust can be reliably controlled.
Dust testing – Limiting Oxygen Concentration
LOC is the highest concentration of oxygen that prevents a combustible dust forming an explosive atmosphere. This dust test is mandatory for any company relying upon inert gas as the basis for explosion safety.
Dust testing – Isothermal Basket tests for self heating
These lab tests are used to determine the self heating characteristics of dusts and powders. Thermal ignition theory can then be applied so that companies can safely transport, store and handle these materials without risk of fire or spontaneous combustion.
Powder Volume Resistivity
Powder volume resistivity is determined by the simultaneously measuring the voltage and current passing through a dust sample of known cross sectional area and depth under laboratory conditions.
Train Firing
The train fire test measures the ability of a combustible dust layer to propagate flame in order that companies can safely transport, store and handle the material.
Summary of tests available in our dust testing labs
Dust explosion testing
Classification test for combustible dust testing for flammability
Explosion Indices test testing for Kst and Pmax
Minimum Explosible Concentration test testing for LEL | MEC
Limiting Oxygen Concentration test testing for LOC
Ignition Tests
Minimum Ignition Energy test testing for MIE
5mm Layer Ignition Temperature testing for LIT
Minimum Ignition Temperature test testing for MIT
Self heating tests
Isothermal basket test testing for spontaneous combustion characteristics
UN 4.2 classification test testing for self heating classification
Other laboratory dust tests
Train firing
Powder bulk resistivity
Dust explosion testing prices
Discounts are available for testing multiple samples and total order value. Please fill in the dust testing application form for prices.
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