Wood Burning Stove in Joinery Workshop

[Ianglass]

Hi all,

I was hoping I could kindly request some advice and/or guidance regarding the use an industrial wood burning stove used in a joinery workshop to burn offcut wood and partially heat the premises?

Although all 10 fixed woodworking machines are connected to a LEV systems to collect fine dust, my concern is smaller partials from cutting ect which are not immediately extracted can accumulate on the floor next to certain machines and if the main workshop door is open and a gust of wind could pick up the dust on the floor which may/ or may not produce a combustible atmosphere which could then be ignited by a naked flame if the door is opened to burner at this time....

At this time a COSHH assessment has not been conducted, which will be the first port of call, however in the meantime I would greatly appreciate you view on effective controls to mitigate against the risk of ignition. At this time we are considering implementing management procedures to stipulate any accumulation of larger wood dust particles are immediate hovered up and the wood burner door is not opened at certain times and restricted to periods such as work breaks where there is no activates in the workshop?

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[Fire Monkey]

Hi,

I have seen a similar system done at a joinery workshop in a - unfortunately I was not carrying out a FRA so did not investigate it. That workshop though did burn down but it was at a time of economic upheaval (no comment).

You may want to have a look at DESEAR and the ATEX regulations. #

http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/atex.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/wis32.pdf

[col10]

Be aware that extract ventilation increases the risk of spillage of the flue gases and carbon monoxide poisoning.

[Ianglass]

Hi,

Thanks for the input and reassuring words  

My concern is as this is working shop, it is impossible to keep it 100% sterile from dust at all times and if for instance a large piece of plywood was to fall on the floor it might blow up some dust which if small enough could create a combustible atmosphere, coupled with the fact there is a readily available ignition source in the form a the wood burning stove which may result in a dust explosion.

Given the fact the workshop has a recently fitted and well maintained LEV system, reasonable standard of housekeeping and there is no evidence of airborne dust, I do not think DSEAR would apply to the main workshop in this instance and if so then something is seriously wrong, however I think we must investigating the size of dust particles commonly present in the workshop first, complete COSHH assessment and decide if the wood burning stove should stay or go.....











 

[wee brian]

Half the joiners shops in the country probably have stoves.

[SeaBass]

Not to mention heated glue pots, non ATEX rated motors and light fittings, convection heaters with naked elements, power tools with sparking armatures, and let's not forget, until a few years ago, most joinery shops would have at least one smoker in post.

 

[Mr. P]

A fair while back, Country File (BBC) did a piece where a presenter was making a an 'old fashioned' wood rake. All the off cuts were put on the fire in the workshop. Consideration should be given to the quality of 'house-keeping' regards keeping the place clean. The particle size of dust/sawdust etc. and the amount of it, when disturbed and pluming into the air in ratio with the actual space it takes up i.e. particles per cubic metre - the density or whatever other term you may wish to use for it to risk becoming an 'explosive atmosphere'.
What does an insurance company comment on this? Likely they have not given it a thought - just loaded the premium due to high load flammable store stock.
Many timber merchants who are 'small' family type business' or single operatives often keep themselves warm by burning the offcuts. I have even known a guy who also heated his whole house and workshop from this.
You could further look into regs covering the environmental approved systems using wood chip and other materials where the fuel is dumped into a holding cell, and then 'cork-screwed into the furnace...