At around 10:45 a.m., a fire was detected in the dust extraction system of a woodworking shop. The staff triggered the alarm, used a fire extinguisher to control the fire and informed the supervisor. Three hours later, a new outbreak of fire was detected on the cyclofiltre. The alarm was triggered, and the fire brigade intervened on site. The emergency services were able to secure and remove the contents of the cyclofiltre. Eight employees were laid off following the incident. Several cubic metres of water had been used to extinguish the fire. This water had then flowed into the stormwater system, which had been blocked off.
The wedge (fall of wood) sucked is part of the remainder of the panel “skeleton” evacuated waste to an approved die. These wedges are sucked at a bell that surrounds the machining tool. The wood panel is held on the carpet thanks to an air vacuum system.
A wedge trap is a vacuum zone that separates the heaviest parts from sawdust / woodchip dust. These systems are located upstream of each suction fan to prevent falls from falling into the blades of the latter.
The first fire started when a block of wood became lodged in the intake funnel located near the wood panel cutting equipment. The block had become jammed between the rotating mandrel and the housing surrounding the tool. The resulting friction created caused the wood to heat up and catch fire. The technician had been slow to react due to the absence of any visible smoke. At the same time, sparks were drawn into the system and managed to reach the cyclofiltre. Production operations and suction were resumed after the first outbreak of fire had been extinguished. The resulting influx of air fanned the fire in the cyclofiltre.
The operator implemented several corrective measures:
- systematic emptying of the cyclofiltre and the sawdust bin after a fire is detected;
- modification of the suction techniques by widening the funnels or adding a second suction ramp;
- training was provided to technicians with a reminder of the rules regarding operator presence, training in the operation of fire extinguishers and controls to be carried out before putting the suction system back into operation;
- installation of a system to detect “hot bodies” or luminous elements in the suction system.
