by Imperial Systems | May 3, 2016 | Uncategorized
You probably already know that combustible dust comes in many varieties. You’ve probably heard reports of explosions at industrial facilities caused when built-up dust ignited, causing a deflagration in the dust collector system. While Imperial Systems’ CMAXXTM DUST COLLECTION SYSTEM and other safety products can help prevent this in your facility, it’s hard to tell exactly how dangerous your dust might be. Take this pop quiz to see what you know:
Rate the FOUR TYPES OF DUST below, from most explosive to least explosive:
- Sugar
- Cellulose
- Silica
- Aluminum
Combustible dust test on a CMAXX
Many people are aware that metal dusts are dangerously combustible. Cellulose (in the form of paper dust, sawdust, or other wood dust) is also very combustible. Sugar, along with dry milk and egg products, is combustible and has caused fatal explosions.
If you chose the option that silica isn’t explosive, you were correct! But you’re not out of the woods yet… OSHA’s NEW REGULATIONS on silica dust mean that even if you don’t have to worry about combustible dust explosions, you do have to worry about whether your dust collection system meets the newer regulations on how to handle silica dust at your facility.
Imperial Systems can make sure your dust management system is keeping you safe, regardless of the type of dust you have. Call us today and discover how we can help you! 800-918-2803
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by Imperial Systems | Apr 25, 2016 | Uncategorized
Extinguish the threat of explosions with an Imperial Systems spark trap.
While it is imperative that every metalworking facility have highly efficient dust collection systems, it is just as crucial that metalworking facilities utilize a spark trap to provide even greater protection from these combustible hazards.
Imperial Systems has dedicated over a decade to preventing and reducing fires and explosions in metalworking and manufacturing facilities. We continually strive to meet and exceed the standards recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the guidelines set out by the National Fire Protection Association with our highly efficient dust collection systems and replacement cartridge filters.
If you’re asking yourself if a spark trap is really necessary– the answer is yes! Consider the findings of the OSHA’s National Emphasis Program, which shows that metal dust accounts for 20% of explosions nationwide, and that 7% of ignition sources are ignited by fabricated metals while another 8% of ignition sources are caused by Primary metals. If you want to reduce the possibility of an accident at your metalworking facility, you MUST invest in spark arrestors!
How Can Imperial Systems Spark Trap Reduce Explosions?
Adding a spark trap to your industrial dust collection system is like adding a security system to your home. You already have the proper amount of protection with locks, but installing a security system in your home provides another line of defense, keeping you and your family safe.
An Imperial Systems, our spark trap is the first line of defense in protecting your metal fabricators and your metalworking facility from explosions. Imperial Systems Spark Arrestors extinguish nearly every spark before it enters into the main containment unit where combustible dust and other flammable material collects. When you choose our Spark Arrestors, you’ll receive a quality product made with heavy duty materials that is highly effective at keeping sparks from entering your industrial dust collector.
Here are the quality features you’ll receive when you invest in our spark traps:
- Maintenance free components
- Fully welded construction
- Easy install for any system
- No moving parts
- Available in carbon steel or stainless steel
- Can be installed in horizontal or vertical configurations
- Available in 6in. – 40in.
- Clean out door
- Doesn’t require water
Spark Trap Optional Features include:
- Raw inlet and outlet edges
- A clamp together function for clamping duct
- Rolled angle flange for bolt together duct
If want more information about our spark traps, and you want to elevate the security for your metalworkers, contact Imperial Systems at 800-918-3013 to speak with one of our representatives today!
Spark Trap | Spark Traps
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by Imperial Systems | Apr 21, 2016 | Uncategorized
Imperial Systems helps you find the best dust collector system for your manufacturing facility.
You already know that air quality can have a profound impact on the health, safety, productivity, and profitability of any industrial work facility. That’s why you and other leaders from a wide range of industries and processes – including agriculture, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, power generation, recycling, and 3D printing, invest in Imperial Systems dust collectors and filters to manage dust before it becomes an active hazard in your facilities. But, did you also know that successful combustible dust management may actually make your building smarter?
A new study released in October of last year indicated that improved IEQ (indoor environmental quality) had the effect of doubling workers’ cognitive function test scores. Known as the Impact of Green Buildings on Cognitive Function Study, the experiment subjected 24 participants to 6 full work days in an environmentally controlled space, in which they were unaware of the test conditions. Throughout the test, participants were exposed to IEQ conditions representative of high VOC (volatile organic compound) concentration – labeled Conventional days – and low VOC concentration buildings in the U.S., as well as a high outdoor air ventilation rate and artificially elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels – labeled Green and Green+ days.
The result was that, on average, cognitive scores were 61% higher on the Green day and 101% higher on the two Green+ building days than on the Conventional building day. After only 6 hours in the COGfx Study, the workers in the green building environment showed substantial improvements in cognitive performance versus those in the conventional environment. And, while cognitive function is not the sole root of productivity, decision-making faculties are an important component.
The implications for IEQ and combustible dust management as related to productivity and health/safety are significant. As the study reports, most people spend about 90 percent of their time indoors and 10 percent of their time outdoors. Conversely, 90 percent of the costs associated with a building are due to the people inside it (salaries and benefits, illnesses, etc.) while just 10 percent come from mortgage/rent and other operating costs. Therefore, combustible dust management can substantially improve your workers’ cognitive function as well as the business’s overall health and performance.
If you’ve been researching ways to increase productivity, improve your IEQ and related functions, or are simply wondering how different systems compare and measure up, we have the solution for you: the Ultimate Dust Collector Comparison Chart, featuring Imperial Systems’ CMAXX™ Dust Collector.
Compare collectors, filters, warranties, services and benefits, and more with one simple click. Or, contact Imperial Systems today at 800-918-3013 for more information on dust collectors and filters that will improve your combustible dust management processes…and maybe even your facility’s IQ!
Combustible Dust Management | Managing Combustible Dust
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by Imperial Systems | Apr 11, 2016 | Uncategorized
Find out how metalworkers like you can address the need for a high-quality spark trap for explosion prevention.
Why Invest in a Spark Trap for Explosion Prevention?
Understanding that the metalworking industry is among the most susceptible in terms of a dangerous working environment is paramount to our goal at Imperial Systems to provide the highest-quality products for dust collection, including explosion prevention.
The CMAXX™ Dust Collection System is already geared towards reducing a chance of a combustible dust explosion along with having the best cleaning efficiency and longest filter life in the industry. But an added measure that should be implemented especially if your facility operates at consistently high volumes is a spark trap from Imperial Systems to compliment your current dust collection system as well as maximizing explosion prevention.
Designed primarily as a first line of defense to prevent ignition within a dust collection system, spark traps reduce the potential for fire hazard by capturing sparks before they reach the main containment unit, where dust or other flammable materials may be present.
What Explosion Prevention Looks Like With an Imperial Spark Arrestor
An ineffective or entire lack of a quality spark trap leads to an increased risk in danger associated with the metalworking industry. Without one, sparks can reach the main component where dust and flammable materials fill the air, causing an explosion.
Our spark traps for explosion prevention are:
- Heavy duty
- Maintenance free
- Fully welded
- Easy to install with both horizontal and vertical configurations
- Available in 6in.-40in.
- Waterless
- Available in carbon steel or stainless steel
- Optional raw inlet and outlet edges
- Optional clamping duct
- Bolts together for bolted ducts
- Requires no moving parts
If you haven’t yet decided on a spark trap for your metalworking business for dust explosion prevention, what is that procrastination costing you?
From 1996-2005, 106 explosions resulted in 16 fatalities, 126 injuries, and an estimated cost of $162.8 million in damages to the facilities.
All of our products including spark traps are always built by NFPA and OSHA guidelines and standards. Don’t trust anyone else except Imperial Systems to deliver a quality spark trap for an added and essential layer to maximum explosion prevention.
Contact Imperial Systems today at 800.918.3013 or learn more by emailing us at info@isystemsweb.com.
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by Imperial Systems | Apr 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
Watch out for the dangers of high velocity oxy-fuel spraying.
High velocity oxy-fuel spraying is one type of thermal spraying technique that is used for the production of metallic and corrosive resistant coatings on materials, such as ceramic and metallic layers. High velocity oxygen fuel coating is a mixture of gaseous of liquid fuel and oxygen that is put into a combustion chamber where it combusts constantly. A powdered stock is then fed into the gas stream where the powder partially melts and then is sprayed onto the substrate.
Industries such as the food processing industry, agricultural, and medical industry use high velocity oxy-fuel spraying coating to add a better wear resistance on medical tools, agricultural or construction vehicles and decrease corrosion in these same items. The resulting benefits of high velocity oxygen fuel coating are many for these industries, but the dangers of high velocity oxy-fuel spraying lies in the manufacturing process.
What Are the Dangers of High Velocity Oxy-Fuel Spraying?
Because thermal spraying or high velocity oxygen fuel spraying atomizes molten metals it poses hazards to the operator through dust and fumes according to the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, Intl. Other small metal particles have the potential to ignite and causes explosions, and sprayed metals such as nickel and chromium are known carcinogens. Thermal spraying operators can contract a fever type reaction called brass chills if they are exposed to toxic fumes from copper alloys, zinc, or bronze.
So what’s the answer to protecting the high velocity oxy-fuel spraying operators health and safety? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggests fitting your metalworking facility with high quality dust collection and ventilation systems to provide the operators with a safe and pollution free environment.
At Imperial Systems, our CMAXX™ Dust Collection Systems have provided a safer environment for the metalworking industry for over a decade. The CMAXX™ System has been designed with 10% more filter media, and an innovative PD Technology for maximum cleaning performance. Not only does the CMAXX™ Dust Collection System give you twice the filter life, but the internal area of our dust collection system offers 20% more surface area around the cartridge filters causing more dust to drop in the hopper before attaching to the filters. The CMAXX™ offers many more amazing features such as:
- Increased Cleaning Power with an Energy Efficient and High-Performance Manifold Mounted Pulse Valves.
- Up to 40% More Cleaning Power.
- Vertical Cartridge Design
- 20% Lower Internal Velocities
- Particulate and Dust are More Evenly Distributed Throughout the Filters
If you’re looking for quality and safety for your thermal spray coating process, contact Imperial Systems today!
High Velocity Oxy-Fuel Spraying | High Velocity Oxy-Fuel Sprayings
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by Imperial Systems | Apr 4, 2016 | Uncategorized
Learn how to avoid dust combustion at your metalworking facility.
The metalworking industry is familiar with the perils of having polluted, particulate-ridden air. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration the following 5 elements can cause a devastating blow to any manufacturing plant:
- Fuel – Combustible Dust
- Ignition Source – Sparks
- Oxygen
- Dispersion of Dust Particles
- Confinement
So what is the solution to preventing an instantaneous combustion from dust along with the other threatening elements to your facility? The right answer is to install one of North America’s top quality laser and fume extraction systems. The better answer is to install the top quality CMAXX™ Dust Collection System with an in-line spark trap from Imperial Systems.
The Benefits of An In-Line Spark Trap
What’s the purpose of an in-line spark arrestor?
Imperial Systems in-line spark traps are meant to be the first line of defense in preventing potential dust explosions. An in-line spark trap prevents potential fire hazards by containing the spark before it finds its way to the combustible dust or any other potential fire hazard in the main unit of your dust collection system.
Take into account these number when considering the purchase of an in-line spark trap:
- Metal dust accounts for 20% of the explosions that occur nationwide
- 7% of ignitions sources are caused by fabricated metal
- 8% of ignition sources are caused by Primary Metal
When going over the pros and cons of purchasing the CMAXX™ system there really are no cons. Your fume extraction system is a preventative measure to ensure the safety of your metalworkers. The in-line spark trap is just another form of insurance that will neutralize the threat of a fatal explosion.
What Else Does the CMAXX™ Dust Collection System Offer?
The CMAXX™ Dust Collection System has 10% more filter media than other same-sized vertical cartridge collectors. The internal area of the CMAXX dust collector system offers 20% more area around the cartridge filters causing more dust to drop in the hopper before attaching to the filters.
- Space Saving – Low Profile Design, Small Footprint
- Vertical Cartrige Design – Longer Filter Life
- Best in Class – Internal Velocities are 20% Lower
- Military Grade Door Latches. No Truck Trailer Hardware.
- 15 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty
- Lowest Internal Velocities from a Larger Housing – Longest Filter Life
- Graphite Industrial Enamel: Corrosive Resistant Paint; Inside and Outside
- Energy Efficient, High-Performance Manifold Mounted Pulse Valves – Increased Cleaning Power
- Tool-free, Heavy Duty Filter Door – Less Service Time
- Modular Design – No External Bolts on Dirty Air Plenum – Less Chance for Water and Air Leaks
- Heavy Duty 7 & 10 Gauge Construction; Nickel Plated Hardware
- Air Pressure Gauge on Compressed Air Manifold
- High Efficiency – Cleaner Plant Air
- PD Technology – Up to Twice the Filter Life
- Factory Assembled Air Header and Top Section – In Most Cases, Hopper and Legs Ship Disassembled
- No Internal Frame on Dirty Air Plenum – Fewer Internal Ledges for Material to Build Up
For more information on our in-line spark arrestors or our CMAXX™ Dust Collection System contact Imperial Systems today!
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