Resources

EN 17348: 2022: A new machine safety standard regulating the use of vacuum cleaners in explosive atmospheres

This article provides an overview on why ATEX certification alone may not be enough to ensure complete safety when vacuuming combustible substances in explosive atmospheres.

Assessing the combustible properties of collected substances: An important consideration when choosing a vacuum cleaner

This article guides you through what you need to know about the substances you collect, and which type of vacuum system is safe to use for the job.

Explosion at a Shooting Range

This video of a fire and explosion at a shooting range was posted to YouTube on December 2, 2018. It appears to have been caused by unburnt gunpowder that had accumulated on the floor over an extended period of time. The lack of clean-up, combined with poor ventilation over the years, led to a serious buildup of powder. It is suspected that the shells they were shooting dropped some burning debris directly on the powder deposits which caused the fire.