Industrial and manufacturing plants are constantly exposed to the threat of fire outbreak resulting from the use of various types of industrial equipment.

Conveyor systems are widely used for bulk transportation of industrial goods from one point to another within the plant. Often transportation of these goods to different points within the plant is required when transitioning from one stage of the manufacturing process to the next. In question and answer format below is essential information about fire hazard protection in relation to the use of conveyor systems for newbie industrial plant workers.

What Does Conveyor "Fire Load" Mean?

It is not possible to discuss fire hazard protection for industrial conveyor systems without mentioning the term "fire load". In this context, the term refers to a measure of the quantity of combustible materials present in the load placed on a conveyor system for transportation.  A simpler definition of the term states that it is a measure of the quantity of heat that would be produced in the event that all combustible materials within the load were set ablaze. Fire load is measured for every unit of area on the conveyor system.

Metals, asbestos, and sand are common combustible materials transported using industrial conveyor systems. The packaging on industrial goods placed on a conveyor system increases the fire load on the system. A higher fire load translates to increased chances of fire outbreak.

What Are Common Causes of Conveyor System-Related Fires?

Industrial fires on conveyor systems can have several possible causes. Top on this list is excess friction between the conveyor's belt and the industrial goods placed on it. Excess friction may be as a result of poor traction on the belt or as a result of belt misalignment.

Welding-related activities on the conveyor system may also deposit hot particles of molten metal on its belt, thereby igniting a fire.

Placement of very hot materials on the conveyor belt right from a kiln or an oven without allowing the materials to cool can also result in an industrial fire outbreak

What Does Industrial Fire Protection Involve?

In order to minimise chances of fire outbreak, industrial workers are advised to site conveyor systems carefully. Ideally, the location of the conveyor system should not pose the threat of exposure to fire for adjacent installations or for those installed below the conveyor system.

It would also help to have automatic trips incorporated into the conveyor system's design so as to halt conveyor operations in the event of belt misalignment. Workers should also ensure that the correct belt tension is maintained to prevent irregular wearing out of the belt and subsequent loss of traction.

Learn more by contacting companies like Belle Banne Conveyor Products.