Fike launches website detailing steps of a DHA

Fike Corporation, a global manufacturer and supplier of explosion protection solutions, has announced the launch of its new resource website, dust-hazard-analysis.com.

The intention of the website is to provide managers of facilities that handle combustible dust with a step-by-step guide of how to complete a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA). A DHA is an NFPA-required comprehensive review of a facility to determine its fire and explosion hazards, the likelihood and severity of such an event, and the prioritized recommendations of how to prevent and mitigate those consequences.

“Besides just being a regulatory requirement, a DHA is the first step to understanding the hazards in a process,” said Brian Edwards, explosion protection consultancy manager at Fike. “It’s critical to systematically look at your equipment to see where there could be fires and explosions, with the goal of keeping your employees safe and maintaining business continuity.”

The information found on dust-hazard-analysis.com may be used by a “qualified person,” as defined by NFPA, who may choose to conduct his or her facility’s own DHA; or it may be used by a facility manager to better understand all of the processes required to comprehensively complete a DHA by a third-party expert, such as Fike.

Dust-hazard-analysis.com categorizes the steps of a DHA into three categories:

• Preparing for a DHA – Details the processes a facility can take on their own to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of the upcoming DHA. Includes assembling a DHA team, identifying types of dust, and evaluating dust explosibility.
• Conducting a DHA – Explains each of the steps that will take place throughout the DHA, either performed by a qualified person on staff or a third-party expert. Includes analyzing potential hazard areas, identifying ignition sources, and reviewing existing safeguards.
• Using the results of a DHA – Primarily focuses on how to use the findings from the DHA to create an “action plan,” a blueprint for reducing risk and preventing explosions in the facility.

The website also features various downloadable resources, including a sample DHA template, ignition source guide, dust housekeeping guide and more.