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Dust Collection Industry News & Upcoming Event

1 Killed, 2 Injured in Processing Plant Fire

Article by : Nicole Schlosser, Managing Editor, Powder & Bulk Solids

A blaze and explosion required more than 100 firefighters to extinguish. OSHA is reportedly investigating the incident.

A fire and explosion at a poultry processing plant in Ohio on February 15th killed one worker and injured two others. 

The blaze at the Koch Foods processing plant in Fairfield started at approximately 1:00 a.m., WLWT reported. Fire officials told the news source that the incident was a three-alarm fire, with more than 100 firefighters responding. Journal-News reported that as many as 20 agencies were involved in fighting the fire. It was widely reported that the fire took several hours to extinguish. 

Stevenson Sprinkler

Commercial Fire Pump testing & service is necessary to ensure your fire pump system will deliver the required pressure to your sprinkler system when required.

Commercial Fire Pumps

The fire pump is crucial to the fire sprinkler system of any building. Fire pumps are typically made with non-corrosive internal parts to avoid clogging from corrosion. To avoid cavitation and have a stable system pressure, the fire pumps are designed specifically for adequate water supply, with strict requirements. Fire pumps deliver water to the sprinkler in the event of a fire. NFPA and local fire departments require diesel and electric fire pumps to be run and maintained with accurate maintenance and testing records.

Stevenson Sprinkler can test and maintain your fire pump system to ensure it will work properly when needed.

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Mitigating Dust Explosions Through Engineered & Administrative Controls

Combustible dust explosions remain a significant source of industrial loss across food and beverage, wood, metal, and chemical processing sectors. Effective risk reduction requires an integrated, hierarchical approach that deploys engineered controls to interrupt the explosion sequence and administrative controls to sustain operational discipline over the process lifecycle. The framework presented specifies methods for designing, operating, and maintaining dust handling systems to reduce the likelihood and consequences of explosion events. This webinar will cover the role of both engineered and administrative controls, including a proposed structure to help reduce dust fire and explosion risks.

• Engineered controls mitigate explosion hazards by removing or reducing sources and by applying robust design. Typical strategies include segregating hazardous operations; capturing and containing materials at the source; providing deflagration venting or explosion suppression, and isolation to limit pressure and flame spread.
• Administrative controls help reduce explosion risks through documented hazard assessments; clear operating and housekeeping procedures; competency training; safe work permitting and change management for modifications.

The framework harmonizes with NFPA 660, 68, and 69, while aligning with OSHA expectations. Sustainable effectiveness is achieved through verification, and periodic revalidation.

March 11, 2026 2:00 EST - Online

Register on the Event Page

Firetrace Special Hazard Fire-Suppression Solutions

Preventing Dust Explosions From Conveying Low MIE Powders

Article by : Chris Cloney - Dust Safety Science

The challenges, design, operation, and protection and training surrounding spray dryers in bulk solids manufacturing.

At a Glance

• Some dust is more dangerous, like sulfur dust, which has a much lower MIE when the particle size is reduced to micron levels.
• 3 factors influence dust explosions with low MIE powders.
• There are 4 best practices to follow for controlling dust explosions.

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