New Standard for Powders and Dusts in EU Will Affect Forklift Design

In an effort to prevent fires in warehouses where dust and powders may be abundant, the

An exploding forklift. (Courtesy Darkday at flickr.com)

European Union has created a new standard concerning the design of material handling equipment including forklifts used in Zone 21 and 22 hazardous areas where powders and dusts are present. Warehouse or storage areas most affected include food production and storage, including chemicals, and other manufacturing and logistics operations.

A spokesman with Pyroban, a company that offers products that prevents or protects material handling equipment from exploding, pointed out, “A spark from unprotected electrical equipment on a forklift, excess heat from the engine, motors, brakes or other components can ignite a layer or cloud of powder in the workplace.”

Forkliftaccessories.com recently published an article on how Pyroban, which has facilities in the United Kingdome, France, The Netherlands, China, and Singapore, converts electric forklifts to prevent them from exploding.

Powders and dusts are found throughout industry as a raw material or waste. The dust can include flour, cocoa, milk, polymers and sugar, which are combustible. In addition, materials including carbon black, aluminum and other metals are conductive.

The new standard, called EN1755:2015 requires that a risk assessment be define as to whether an area where powders or dusts exists needs to classified as a Zone 21 (higher risk) or 22. In Zones 21 or 22, specially protected equipment categorized as 2D or 3D should be used. Forklifts are included.

The Pyroban spokesman said, “EN1755-2015 will affect the design of forklifts used in Zone 21 and 22 areas in the chemical, food and drink supply chains and in various manufacturing and logistics businesses.”

The standard will go into effect starting in November 2017. The standard is titled, “Safety of industrial trucks. Operation in potentially explosive atmospheres. Use in flammable gas, vapors, mist and dust.” The new standard reflects the changes and solutions that have been developed to prevent forklift explosions, which were not available when a standard concerning this issue was adopted in May 2000.

The new standard also concerns static protection. In this case, standard seats and armrests are still acceptable with no additional requirements for plastic parts on either 2D or 3D equipment categories. However, tires on machines that travel more than 6 km/h must be antistatic and there must be conductivity to earth through two straps or conductive tires.

The EN1755-2015 standard is introduced parallel to the update to the ATEX Directive and ISO 3691-1-2011 that states that unauthorized truck modification is not permitted and that no alteration should be made without the prior written approval of the original forklift manufacturer.