Commercial cleaning processes frequently require removing large amounts of dust, such as accumulated dust on top of appliances in commercial kitchens, textile dust in factories, and combustible dust in a paper or flour processing facility. Commercial offices, factories, construction sites, and more all require dust collection and ventilation systems that can remove the dust and circulate clean air throughout the workplace. Depending on the facility, these dust collection solutions may need to comply with commercial cleaning safety standards for air quality and fire mitigation, such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) regulations.
Also called local exhaust ventilation (LEV), industrial dust collection and ventilation systems exhaust dusty, contaminated air out while drawing clean air into an interior space. Industrial dust collectors generally have a hose and wand that operators use to vacuum dust away from equipment and surfaces. These systems are especially valuable for removing combustible dust, which can cause fires and explosions. Installing continuous dust management systems and hiring professional commercial cleaning services are essential for keeping your facility safe.
Here, you’ll learn more about combustible dust cleaning regulations, the benefits of compliance, best practices for commercial dust collection, and how to maintain your facility’s cleanliness.
Navigating the Landscape: A Guide to Combustible Dust Cleaning Regulations
Dust presents health, fire, and combustion hazards depending on the environment, so in-house facility management teams and contracted cleaning services need to understand basic cleaning regulations. Combustible dust cleaning services must use equipment, cleaning processes, and products that adhere to the different commercial cleaning safety regulations for myriad environments, such as:
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Office buildings
- Factories
- Government buildings
- Distribution centers
- Commercial kitchens and bakeries
Each of these locations presents unique hazards to occupants and cleaners. Cleaning personnel must have the proper safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) to perform cleaning duties without endangering their health or safety. This is especially important in combustible dust removal. In 2022, for example, there were 50 explosions and 163 fires in commercial and industrial facilities across the U.S., resulting in 49 fatalities and 89 injuries.
Investing in effective dust collection equipment and regular cleaning services can help reduce these risks.
Considerations & Best Practices for Commercial Combustible Dust Cleaning
Proactively managing your facilities to abate dust buildup is an essential part of complying with safety regulations and requirements. This starts with having adequate air conditioning, ventilation, and air quality monitoring systems in place. However, you must also have a system that can deal with dust and particulate buildup on ductwork walls, which can result in static pressure drop. Static pressure drop reduces the efficiency of your dust collection system, compromising its ability to remove airborne contaminants.
To prevent static pressure drop and minimize combustible dust accumulation, companies should take the following steps to select a high-quality professional cleaning service:
- Research several potential cleaners and gather quotes.
- Read reviews and testimonials to assess each company’s reputation and internal capabilities.
- Make sure your preferred company has the proper qualifications, such as NADCA certification, to comply with all relevant environmental and safety regulations in your industry.
- Your chosen provider should also have sufficient liability and insurance coverage.
The Benefits of NFPA-Compliant, Safe Combustible Dust Cleaning
The NFPA establishes codes that facilities should follow to mitigate fire risks and protect workers and assets. These standards are continuously updated based on new scientific research and practical experience.
Permanent ventilation equipment and dust collection solutions are an important part of keeping your facility safe, but they aren’t enough. Companies must also have a stringent cleaning schedule to eliminate combustible dust buildup. Key benefits of hiring a commercial cleaning company for recurring services include:
- Protects staff and visitors by reducing the risk of fires or explosions
- Enhances indoor air quality
- Keeps work floors and equipment clear of obstructions
- Promotes employee morale, retention, and productivity
- Compliance with NFPA guidelines and industrial safety standards, preventing fines and legal consequences
Maintaining NFPA Combustible Dust Compliance and Safety: Best Practices
Complying with NFPA combustible dust cleaning regulations is a continuous responsibility for commercial and industrial facility management teams. In addition to having the right equipment, you should implement these best practices or outsource cleaning experts who can implement them in your facility.
Preliminary Risk Assessment
Per NFPA guidelines, your facility manager or cleaning service provider should first familiarize themselves with the following:
- The explosibility and combustibility hazards of the materials in your facility, in accordance with Chapter 5
- Evaluating any flash fire or explosion risks, in accordance with Chapter 7
- Managing these fire and explosion hazards in accordance with 4.2.3
- Communicating these hazards to the relevant personnel, in accordance with Section 8.8
Segregation
Your combustible dust management strategy should consist of setting up physical barriers between protected areas and hazard areas of the facility.
Separation
Depending on the specific NFPA standards your facility needs to follow, your combustible dust management strategy should maintain a certain distance between the combustible dust process and other operations in the same space.
Proper Cleaning Techniques and Equipment
You or your provider should know what cleaning processes and equipment are the right choice for different areas. Pneumatic conveying systems, rigid intermediate bulk containers (RIBCs), portable vacuum cleaners, and wet air-material separators are commonly used in combustible dust cleaning tasks. According to the NFPA, all cleaning processes and equipment should be “designed, constructed, equipped, and maintained” to protect nearby occupants, properties, and the public from potential injury due to flash fires or explosions.
For more best practices and definitions of technical terms used by the NFPA, refer to the NFPA standard on the fundamentals of combustible dust.
Quality Commercial Combustible Dust Cleaning Solutions by IMC
Commercial and industrial facilities must routinely keep their building surfaces clean, including flooring, ceiling rafters, equipment, and air ducts. Companies can make commercial cleaning safety a priority by hiring professional cleaning services that specialize in handling toxins, combustible dust, and other unique needs of commercial, industrial, or municipal buildings.
At IMC, we provide comprehensive commercial cleaning safety solutions, including janitorial services, kitchen equipment cleaning, air duct cleaning, and combustible dust removal. Let us handle the complexities of cleaning your facility and keeping your workers and equipment safe. Request a quote to start planning your cleaning program.