Dust Collection System

[divo2500]

Hi There. I am new to the forums but have been reading and learning from them for a while. Seems to be alot on nice, knowledgable people on here. Today I went to bid on some wiring in a cabinet making shop. Among other things they are installing a dust collection system for the woodworking equipment. Its not there yet but i saw the paperwork on it. The pipe for the vac system is all metal. I thought the pipes for the vac system were always plastic due to the chance of static charge build-up. Should this piping be bonded? If so, in what manner? Thanks in advance for the replys and everyone have a happy and safe newyear.

Dave

 

[charlie]

Re: Dust Collection System

You really should have the area classified by an engineer and also ask her or him about bonding for static. In my opinion, you are working in a Class II, Division 1 area with a high probability of fire or explosion, depending on the housekeeping.

 

[petersonra]

Re: Dust Collection System

Plastic pipes are far more likely to build up a static charge than metal pipes, but I would not think static would be an issue with saw dust. I would guess the metal piping will be connected together with sheet metal screws, which should make for a pretty effective bonding path (although not a code means of doing so).

I think you will find that the potential for saw dust to ignite is pretty low due to the relatively large size of the particles.

As Charlie said, the real issue with this kind of system is going to be housekeeping. if they keep it clean its far less of a problem and a properly designed and maintained system will do a good job of keeping saw dust away from the equipment.

I would guess that in the end if they classify the area it might come out as division 2. Personally, I can't recall ever having seen such a system classified at all (although I have only seen a few of them).

I would be less worried about the saw dust collection system than I would be about the equipment it is collecting from. If classification is called for, the whole area gets classified and the equipment would need to meet the area classification as well.