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Combustible dust and gases are common when handling bulk biological materials, including compost, mulch, biofuels, and fertilizers. If not managed correctly, the risk of spills can increase, and dust can accumulate, igniting from the smallest spark. Martin Engineering, a manufacturer of bulk materials handling equipment, collaborated with the authors of Foundations for Conveyor Safety to provide guidelines for fire prevention. Ignition sources for conveyor fires can be categorized into three types: friction, dust/material/chemical, and mechanical/maintenance.

For instance, inadequate belt cleaning in the discharge zone can create friction, leading to dust and carryback on the return side of the belt. This can cause a fouled tail pulley to operate under a stalled belt, generating excessive heat. Dust emissions, whether combustible or non-combustible, can contaminate rolling components, causing them to seize. If an idler or roller seizes, continuous friction can cause a loaded belt to exceed safe operational temperatures.

Effective control of fugitive materials requires proper belt cleaning, chute sealing, and belt tracking. Spillage around loading or discharge areas can serve as fuel for fires. Proper dust control is crucial when managing combustible materials. "A significant amount of dust in an enclosed area, such as a transfer chute or loading zone, when exposed to high heat, static, or foreign metal objects, can potentially lead to an explosion," the guidelines emphasize.

Ongoing fire prevention strategies include:

• Minimizing fugitive material by maintaining a flat, stable belt surface for effective sealing.
• Installing heavy-duty belt cleaner systems to reduce carryback, spillage, and fugitive dust.
• Regularly containing airborne dust at transfer points and removing any accumulation.
• Promptly replacing damaged rollers. Proper conveyor belt alignment is essential for safety.
• Testing fire detection and suppression systems in accordance with regulatory standards.

Prevent Conveyor Belt Fires

Safety and Standards in Conveyor Belt Fire Prevention

Fires on conveyor belts pose significant risks due to their rapid spread. While the belt material is combustible, it's the length and movement that increase danger, allowing fires to quickly spread through facilities. Generally, fires originate from friction-induced heat at pulleys or combustible materials inadvertently loaded onto the belt.

To reduce these risks, best practices include:

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• Conducting regular belt inspections
• Removing combustible accumulations
• Addressing potential fire hazards such as seized rollers, overheated bearings, or belt misalignment

In high-risk environments, like underground coal mines, strict regulations often require the use of self-extinguishing belting rather than less stringent flame-retardant options.

All conveyor belts can catch fire if subjected to sufficient heat and airflow. Government regulatory bodies employ standardized laboratory tests to assess the combustion characteristics of various conveyor belts. A "self-extinguishing" belt typically refers to one that does not continue to propagate a fire once the ignition source is removed under controlled laboratory conditions.

Fire safety standards for conveyor belts are generally consistent across major coal mining countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Poland, Russia, and South Africa, with Germany implementing strict requirements over thirty years ago.

Various international regulatory and advisory organizations, including the British Standards Institution (BSI), Conveyor Manufacturers Equipment Association (CEMA), Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), European Standards (EN), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), offer guidance on conveyor belt safety.

Tests conducted in these countries typically include:

• Drum Friction Test (DIN and others): Measures surface temperature to ensure it remains below 325 degrees Celsius (617°F) after a specified time and tension.
• Surface Resistance Test (ISO 284/EN/DIN): Ensures the belting is conductive enough to prevent electrostatic charge buildup.
• High-Energy Propane Burner Test (EN): Determines if flames self-extinguish within a set time after ignition.
• Laboratory Scale Gallery Test (DIN): Ensures flames self-extinguish and leave a defined undamaged length after ignition.

In the United States, outside of underground coal mines, the regulatory standard for conveyor belts is based primarily on the Bunsen Burner Test (CFR Part 30 Section 18.65). This test involves exposing a small piece of belt (approximately 150 by 12 millimeters or 6 by ½ inches) to a Bunsen burner flame for one minute. After flame removal, airflow is applied for three minutes, and the duration of any flames or afterglow is recorded. To meet the standard, the average of four samples must not burn for more than one minute or exhibit afterglow for more than three minutes.

Historically, Europe and the US had differing regulatory standards for belt safety until stricter measures aligned practices globally. For underground coal mines in the US, the Belt Evaluation Laboratory Test (BELT) ensures belts resist flames for extended periods, reflecting updated safety norms.

Other Safety Considerations for Conveyor Belts

Additional standards may apply globally, differing by region or industry. Some countries impose stricter requirements concerning belt toxicity, hygiene, or surface roughness. Detailed specifications can be found in standards established by organizations such as DIN, EN, ISO, BSI, CEMA, and others. It is essential for conveyor belting to be compatible with the materials it transports, ensuring safety and compliance with applicable standards.

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