A Proposed Firefighting and Post-Fire Vbscene Control Procedure for Wood Pellet Processing Facilities to Prevent Flash Fire and Secondary Dust Explosions

Authors

  • Nguyen Thi Hoa Faculty of Fire Suppression and Rescue, University of Fire Prevention and Fighting, Vietnam Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjetr/V2E4/2026-01

Keywords:

flash fire, secondary dust explosion, wood pellets, combustible wood dust, firefighting tactics, smoldering fire, inert gas, fog nozzle, compressed air foam system, NFPA 660.

Abstract

The biomass wood pellet industry is inherently exposed to a high risk of fire and explosion because fine wood dust is continuously generated and accumulated throughout the production process. This paper analyzes the thermodynamic and aerodynamic mechanisms underlying flash fire and secondary dust explosions in wood pellet processing facilities. On that basis, it proposes a safe and technically appropriate firefighting procedure tailored to this type of industrial occupancy. The findings contribute to strengthening the scientific basis for developing specialized operational guidelines for fire suppression and rescue forces in Vietnam.

References

1) Forest Trends and the Vietnam Wood Pellet Association. (2025). Vietnam Wood Pellet Production and Trade.

2) Luong, K. A., & Duong, M. (2024). Vietnam’s wood pellet and woodchip exports in the first half of 2024. Forest Trends and the Vietnam Wood Pellet Association.

3) Cashdollar, K. L. (2000). “Overview of dust explosibility characteristics.” Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 13(3-5), 183-199.

4) Eckhoff, R. K. (2003). Dust Explosions in the Process Industries: Identification, Assessment and Control of Dust Hazards (3rd ed.). Amsterdam: Gulf Professional Publishing.

5) Drysdale, D. (2011). An Introduction to Fire Dynamics (3rd ed.). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

6) National Fire Protection Association. (2025). NFPA 660: Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids. Quincy, MA: NFPA.

7) Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (2013). Firefighting Precautions at Facilities with Combustible Dust (OSHA 3644-04). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor.

8) National Fire Protection Association. (2023). NFPA 750: Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems. Quincy, MA: NFPA.

9) National Fire Protection Association. (2024). NFPA 11: Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam. Quincy, MA: NFPA.

10) National Fire Protection Association. (2024). NFPA 69: Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems. Quincy, MA: NFPA.

11) 11)Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR 1910.146 - Permit-Required Confined Spaces. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor.

12) Hedlund, F. H. (2018). “Carbon dioxide is not suitable for extinguishing smoldering fires in silos: Static electricity may cause silo explosions.” Biomass and Bioenergy, 108, 113-119.

13) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2024). Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Materials Containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances - Version 2.

Downloads

Published

2026-04-22

How to Cite

Hoa, N. T. (2026). A Proposed Firefighting and Post-Fire Vbscene Control Procedure for Wood Pellet Processing Facilities to Prevent Flash Fire and Secondary Dust Explosions. Global Journal of Engineering and Technology Research, 2(04), 110-114. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-gjetr/V2E4/2026-01