A welder in an industrial facility wearing PPE while standing next to a fume extraction arm that can be used for welding and grinding on explosive dust.

NFPA 660 UPDATES: KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR WELDING AND GRINDING ON EXPLOSIVE DUSTS

As safety standards evolve, business owners and operators must stay informed about the latest regulations that impact their welding operations. The recent updates to NFPA 660 address critical safety measures related to combustible dust, welding fumes, and explosive hazards in the workplace.

At FumeXtractors, we are committed to ensuring your operations comply with these updates, protecting your workers and equipment. Below is a cheat sheet to help you understand when HEPA filters, explosion vents, and other safety features are necessary, according to NFPA 660.

NFPA 660 Key Updates & When Safety Features Are Required

Welding/ Grinding Process	Metal Type	Required Features	Reason
Welding	Magnesium, Titanium, Aluminum	No Explosion Vent Required for Welding Alone	Welding these metals generates fumes, not combustible dust.
Grinding	Magnesium, Titanium, Aluminum	Explosion Vent	Grinding these metals produces combustible dust, requiring explosion protection.
TIG Welding	Stainless Steel, Chrome, Nickel	HEPA Filter	High concentration of toxic fumes like HexChrome.
Welding (General)	Stainless Steel (with coatings)	HEPA Filter	Releases toxic fumes (HexChromium) when welding on coated materials.
Grinding	All Metals (General)	Explosion Vent (if applicable)	Fine dust from grinding can present an explosive hazard if not controlled.
Welding on Galvanized Steel	Galvanized Steel	HEPA Filter	Releases harmful zinc fumes.
Welding (General)	Iron, Steel	HEPA Filter (in certain conditions)	For heavy-duty work generating toxic particles or fumes.
Grinding on Coated Metals	Coated Metals (e.g., zinc, chrome)	Explosion Vent (if combustible dust risk exists)	Coatings may generate combustible dust.
Plasma Cutting & Laser Cutting	Titanium, Magnesium	Explosion Vent	Fine dust and particles from cutting metals.
Metal Cutting & Abrasive Finishing	Titanium, Magnesium	Explosion Vent	Grinding or finishing on these metals can generate combustible dust.

When Welding on Magnesium, Titanium, or Aluminum

Process-Specific Requirements

Welding Alone: No explosion vent is required for welding magnesium, titanium, or aluminum alone. Welding these metals generates fumes, not combustible dust, and does not pose an explosion risk.

Grinding, Cutting, or Abrasive Finishing: If you are grinding, cutting, or using abrasive finishing on these metals, explosion vents are requiredbecause these processes generate combustible dust, which can present a significant explosion hazard.

Why Explosion Vents Are Important

Explosion vents are designed to prevent pressure buildup within your filtration system in the event of an explosion. This protection is especially important when working with combustible dust created during grinding or cutting metals such as magnesium, titanium, and aluminum.

Understanding Fume Extraction System Requirements Under NFPA 660

NFPA 660 implementation requires specific design considerations for fume extraction systems. Our team of experts incorporates these key elements into every system design:

System Integration Planning

Each system is engineered to capture fumes and dust at their point of generation, using optimized hood designs and capture velocities to minimize hazardous material spread.

Our designs include all necessary components for seamless integration with facility-wide safety systems, including:

• Fire suppression system connections
• Emergency shutdown protocols
• Safety interlock capabilities

Expert System Design Features

Our specialists have incorporated critical safety and performance elements into every design:

• Application-specific filtration solutions
• Comprehensive grounding system integration
• Strategic component placement for optimal performance
• Advanced spark detection and suppression options
• Optimized ductwork sizing for maximum extraction efficiency

Recommended Maintenance Guidelines

To maintain optimal system performance and NFPA 660 compliance, we recommend:

• Implementing scheduled system inspections
• Regular testing of safety components
• Periodic evaluation of ventilation performance
• Inspection of explosion prevention features
• Documentation of all maintenance activities

Consult with an Expert

Every facility presents unique challenges and requirements when it comes to NFPA 660 compliance. Our team develops customized solutions based on your specific needs, taking into account crucial factors such as facility layout and space constraints, types of welding processes, production volume and intensity, local regulatory requirements, and industry-specific challenges.

To ensure your systems meet NFPA 660 standards and are safe for use, performing a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA) is highly recommended. This analysis helps to assess specific risks in your operation and guide the selection of appropriate safety features, such as explosion vents, HEPA filters, and more.

At FumeXtractors, we specialize in providing weld fume extraction systems compliant with the latest industry standards, including the recent NFPA 660 updates. We aim to help you ensure a safe, efficient, and compliant work environment.

Let us help you protect your team and equipment—contact us today to discuss your needs and how we can help you stay compliant.

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