Wood Truss Plant
- Thread starter carlinb
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Occupation
- Professional Electrical Engineer
Re: Wood Truss Plant
I think we already discussed this in this thread.
How did you finally classifiy it? If you did classify the area, the equipment and wiring methods must comply with the classification.
I think we already discussed this in this thread.
How did you finally classifiy it? If you did classify the area, the equipment and wiring methods must comply with the classification.
Re: Wood Truss Plant
We were able to get the AHJ to go with Class II Division 2. We were classified as Class II Division 1. Now our problem is some of the equipment that is standard throughout our industry does not carry a rating for Class II Division 2 locations such as an air-compressor, and our saws. We were able to discuss the possibility of being unclassified with the electrical inspector, but it is the fire inspector that insists we must be classified at least Class II Division 2. It has cost us an additional $100,000.00 so far easy.
We were able to get the AHJ to go with Class II Division 2. We were classified as Class II Division 1. Now our problem is some of the equipment that is standard throughout our industry does not carry a rating for Class II Division 2 locations such as an air-compressor, and our saws. We were able to discuss the possibility of being unclassified with the electrical inspector, but it is the fire inspector that insists we must be classified at least Class II Division 2. It has cost us an additional $100,000.00 so far easy.
- Location
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Occupation
- Professional Electrical Engineer
Re: Wood Truss Plant
Yes, this is the common problem with over-classifying.
I would suggest asking the Fire Inspector what nationally recognized safety standard is the basis for the classification since NFPA 499 would not classify the material as combustible dust at all.
Note the various Class II, "Group" references in 500.6(B) are extracted from NFPA 499 and 499 then further defines Combustible Dusts.
[ June 20, 2005, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: rbalex ]
Yes, this is the common problem with over-classifying.
I would suggest asking the Fire Inspector what nationally recognized safety standard is the basis for the classification since NFPA 499 would not classify the material as combustible dust at all.
Note the various Class II, "Group" references in 500.6(B) are extracted from NFPA 499 and 499 then further defines Combustible Dusts.
[ June 20, 2005, 05:48 PM: Message edited by: rbalex ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Wood Truss Plant
With that much money involved would it not be cheaper to hire a consultant that specializes in these issues to deal with the Fire Inspector?
Re: Wood Truss Plant
We have now hired a professional fire protection engineer. However, an engineers who specialize in the fire protection field are not everywhere. Hopefully he will be able to help. The main problem here is that in central Florida's current construction and permitting market plus previous experiences all engineers take the plans examiner's suggestions and guidance as gospel. So when the fire plans examiner suggested classifying the area that is what everyone did correct or not.
We have now hired a professional fire protection engineer. However, an engineers who specialize in the fire protection field are not everywhere. Hopefully he will be able to help. The main problem here is that in central Florida's current construction and permitting market plus previous experiences all engineers take the plans examiner's suggestions and guidance as gospel. So when the fire plans examiner suggested classifying the area that is what everyone did correct or not.
- Location
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Occupation
- Professional Electrical Engineer
Re: Wood Truss Plant
I've worked with some of the best Fire Protection engineers in the business and most would admit quite frankly they are not qualified to do electrical area classification. They know how to put a fire out, minimize its spread, eliminate or reduce toxic products of combustion and many other things I'm not qualified to do, but they all tended to over-classify, "just to be safe."
Then the price tag came rolling in.
I've worked with some of the best Fire Protection engineers in the business and most would admit quite frankly they are not qualified to do electrical area classification. They know how to put a fire out, minimize its spread, eliminate or reduce toxic products of combustion and many other things I'm not qualified to do, but they all tended to over-classify, "just to be safe."
Then the price tag came rolling in.
Re: Wood Truss Plant
I was hopeing that the fire protection engineer could state that the saw dust we create is not as hazardous as the county feels that it is. The electrical plans examiner feels that we should be unclassified, but the fire plans examiner is the one who feels that we should be classified based off of the NFPA codes.
I was hopeing that the fire protection engineer could state that the saw dust we create is not as hazardous as the county feels that it is. The electrical plans examiner feels that we should be unclassified, but the fire plans examiner is the one who feels that we should be classified based off of the NFPA codes.
- Location
- Mission Viejo, CA
- Occupation
- Professional Electrical Engineer
Re: Wood Truss Plant
From NFPA 499, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process :
From NFPA 499, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process :
Unless the process creates a significant amount of wood flour (finely divided,...420 microns or less in diameter), there is no basis for a classified location. It really is that simple.
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