The safety features of a Dust Control Systems (DCS) Nordfab came into their own at the Pinétum factory in Warminster which suffered a fire and explosion recently.
Managing director Dean Robbins said the highly volatile wood dust and oxygen mixture caught fire inside a belt sander. Flames were drawn into the ductwork system, igniting airborne dust particles and causing an initial explosion.
Within seconds there was a much more serious secondary explosion in the filter plant which instantly activated the DSC Nordfab safety features.
The non-return valve in the extraction ductwork closed to prevent a flash back of flames through the ductwork system which might then have spread the fire through the building. At the same time the fire dampers in the air return ductwork also closed, preventing flames and smoke re-entering the building while the explosion relief panels of the filter plant isolated the impact of the explosion and flames outside the building.
The filter unit and its drag link chain conveyor was a total loss as was a significant section of ductwork both inside and outside the factory.
However DCS was quick off the mark to ensure the factory, which produces around 1,400 pieces of furniture a week, did not suffer any downtime. Within 48 hours everything needed to effect repairs was on site and the DCS team completed and commissioned the new installation the following day.
Mr Robbins said: “I cannot speak too highly of the service I have received from DCS Nordfab over this. They were truly outstanding in every respect.”
