NFPA (Fire) 68 Historical

Industrial fire protection and fire safety depends on correct application of NFPA 68.

Revised from a Guide to a Standard for 2007, NFPA 68 applies to the design, location, installation, maintenance, and use of devices and systems that vent the combustion gases and pressures resulting from a deflagration within an enclosure so that structural and mechanical damage is minimized. As part of its revision, the Standard includes a performance-based option, including two new chapters supporting the performance-based aspect.

Other important updates for 2007:

• The general equation for determining the required vent area for a dust explosion is revised based upon correlations with additional experimental data. This provides improved correlation for dust explosions using typical industrial process conditions.
• Special conditions such as treatment for panel inertia, partial volume explosions, and elevated pressure are refined based upon experimental data review.
• Chapter 11 on Inspection and Maintenance is expanded to include management of change and training.

The Standard's new and updated definitions are essential to characterizing deflagration hazards.