Dusts, Explosion Venting and Pyrotechnics

Question: There is a small woodworking shop in town. The workers are primarily involved in gluing and painting, but occasionally workers perform hand and machine sanding operations. Does the shop have to be equipped with explosion venting?

Answer: According to NFPA 664, Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities, determine whether the sanding can be considered to be a small-scale operation. If it is considered small-scale (for example, one or two workers performing manual sanding or periodically using power sanders), and if the dust created by the sanding operation is not an explosion hazard, then the answer is no, explosion venting would not be required.

Question: What is the size particle that meets the NFPA definition for a combustible dust?

Answer: < 420 microns.

Question: Where does NFPA give dust classifications?

Answer: NFPA 68, Guide for Venting of Deflagrations, Appendix E Tables, Dusts combustibility information for selected dusts.
NFPA 61, Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Products Facilities, Appendix A Table - Dusts combustibility information for selected dusts.
NFPA 499, Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas. Evaluation guide for classifications of hazardous locations for combustible dusts.
Question:What is the difference between consumer fireworks and display fireworks?
Answer:Basically the amount of pyrotechnic or explosive composition within the item and how it is to be used.

Consumer fireworks are determined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and regulated in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Parts 1500-1507 and they are controlled on a state-by-state basis by the State Fire Marshal's Offices.
Display fireworks are regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27 and their use is regulated by NFPA 1123, Code for the Display of Fireworks.
The Department of Transportation regulates the transportation of both classes of fireworks by the United Nations designation system for explosive materials.
Question:Where does NFPA address the display site requirements for display fireworks.

Answer: NFPA 1123, Code for Display Fireworks. The code addresses the construction, handling, and use of fireworks intended for outdoor fireworks display. This includes the construction of the display fireworks aerial shells, installation of mortars, display site selection, operation of the display, and post-display activities.

Question: Where does NFPA address the requirements for indoor pyrotechnics?

Answer: NFPA 1126, Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience. This applies to both indoor and outdoor use of fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices where there is a proximate audience.

Question: Does NFPA license operators?

Answer: No. NFPA 1123 requires that operators be "at least 21 year old and licensed or approved by the authority having jurisdiction in accordance with any and all applicable laws." Appendix D provides suggested requirements for operator licensing.

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