Dust Doctor: Avoiding dust control system startup problems
When you specify an exhaust fan for a dust control system, you must consider three important factors. A well-designed dust control system can give you headaches if it isn’t installed correctly. Poor installation can cause problems at startup and for months after construction is complete. The following tips can help you minimize startup problems.
Write project specs so that they’re a help, not a hindrance. I once was asked to help resolve a system performance dispute between a bulk solids processor and the contractor who installed the processor’s dust control system. The processor’s engineer had written a detailed and thorough dust control system spec. Because the system handles combustible dust, the engineer’s specs included many standards, codes, and regulations covering related safety issues. However, the installed system didn’t meet all the requirements, so the processor withheld payment from the contractor.