DGUV Information 209-027 - Machine Tool Fire and Explosion Prevention and Protection

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Machine Tool Fire and Explosion Prevention and Protection
(bisher: BGI/GUV-I 719 E)

Information

Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV)

Edition April 2009, setting updated March 2012

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Contents
Foreword
Legal basis: Duties of manufacturers and employers1
Evaluation of hazards caused by fire or explosions2
Protective measures "Everything under control"3
Selection of suitable metalworking fluids3.1
Measures against hot surfaces and other sources of ignition3.2
Technical and engineering design measures3.3
Machine tool3.3.1
Extraction systems3.3.2
Pressure relief devices3.3.3
Fire prevention and protection3.3.4
Extinguishing agent3.3.4.1
Manual extinguishing3.3.4.2
Fixed fire extinguishing systems3.3.4.3
Fire detection elements3.3.4.4
Extinguishing nozzles3.3.4.5
Organisational measures for fire prevention and protection in the machine tool surroundings3.3.4.6
Use of machinery - Requirements of companies4
Instructions - Behaviour of workers in case of fire5
Testing and inspection6
Legal basis - Requirements for placing on the marketAnnex 1
Check listsAnnex 2
Operating instructionsAnnex 3
Directives, Regulations, InformationAnnex 4
References
Figure sources
Appendix

Foreword

In the metalworking industries, a great quantity of non water-miscible metalworking fluids is being used for the chip-forming machining of workpieces.

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Figure 1 Metalworking oils in Germany 2006

Low-viscosity, flammable metalworking fluids are increasingly being used to achieve efficient and economic machining. This trend brings the topic of fire and explosion protection and prevention for machine tools to the fore.

Depending on type of machining, reactions of the oil/air mixture may occur in the interior of the machine tool, which if violent and followed by a fire can be the cause of accidents with severe material and fire damage. Besides injuries to persons, the consequences may be high losses due to production stoppages through to insolvency.

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Figure 2 Trend in Germany

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Figure 3 A machine tool fire ...

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Figure 4 ... and its consequences

These guidelines describe measures against fire and explosion hazards during operation of machine tools with non water-miscible flammable metalworking fluids.

By definition, a flammable metalworking fluid is a non water-miscible metalworking fluid based on mineral oils, polyalphaolefins or fatty acid esters.

It is addressed to employers and assists them in the necessary negotiations with the manufacturer prior to the acquisition of a machine tool. The brochure provides information which the manufacturer may also take into account when placing a machine tool on the market in order to comply with the requirements of the Machinery Directive concerning fire and explosion protection and prevention (MD 2006/42/EC Annex 1 No. 1.5.6 and 1.5.7). At present, no specific standard for machine tools covering this topic is available.

These guidelines contain information on the evaluation of hazards caused by fire and explosions. Checklists and sample operating instructions are available as assistance in the execution of the risk assessment at the workplace and the implementation of protective measures. The necessary measures may thus be determined in good time and expensive retro-fitting measures can be avoided. Fire and explosions are thus prevented or their effects minimized.

Protection goals going beyond personnel protection (e. g. protection of material assets, prevention of production disruptions, machine availability requirements, environmental protection) are not dealt with in these guidelines. Special protective measures for the machining of "critical" light metals and their alloys (e. g. magnesium) are not dealt with in these guidelines. Information on this subject is given in "Umgang mit Magnesium" (BGR 204).