October 2016 – Dusty conditions commonly associated with the storage and handling of grains and powders can potentially lead to dangerous explosions, causing costly damage to plant infrastructure, as well as serious injury and even death in some cases. Offering a relatively inexpensive solution for industries that deal with combustible dusts, including sectors handling animal feed, sugar, starch, flour, sawdust, organic chemicals, plastics, metal powders and coal, the most practical and economic method of protection against such disasters is often the installation of an explosion venting panel.

As an expert in its field, UK-based manufacturer, Elfab, has developed its explosion venting panel range to meet specific industry requirements and deliver instant pressure relief through rapid and controlled exhaust venting within a wider variety of applications.

Elfab’s non-fragmenting panel designs are now available with a multi- or single-skinned construction, across a wide range of standardised and customised shapes and sizes. Whether the panel is expected to offer vacuum resistance, function within different temperatures, or perform within a sanitary or arduous operating environment, Elfab works closely with every customer to determine the right solution for its unique process conditions.

Within its expanded range of explosion panel designs, Elfab meticulously manufactures every panel to open at a precise predetermined burst pressure, providing full venting in milliseconds. The range offers leak-tight and fail-safe operation, so a damaged or badly installed panel will always burst at a pressure equal to or lower than specified. Elfab’s unique ATEX approved integral explosion panel burst detection system, Vent-Tel, can now also be retrofitted to its panel range to enable end-users to comply with industry recommendations. In the event of an explosion, the process can be immediately shut down to prevent the onward transmission of burning material if a burst detection system has been installed.

To enhance the ongoing relationship with its loyal customers, Elfab has also introduced a stocking programme to support its explosion panel range development. Customers can now order certain specification panels from stock on shorter lead times to suit their individual requirements, enhancing their supply chain management and delivery planning capability at no extra cost.

Elfab offers free consultation and advice on choosing the most suitable explosion protection system for on your safety-critical plant environment.