How to Achieve Safer High-Level Cleaning of Combustible DustHow to Achieve Safer High-Level Cleaning of Combustible Dust

Industrial environments are prone to combustible dust, making high-level cleaning essential for safety and regulatory compliance. With recent advancements in cleaning technology, companies are developing safer, more efficient options for removing this dust from hard-to-reach areas.

These innovations include specialized equipment that minimizes risks and maximizes accessibility.

High-Level Cleaning Challenges

Traditional cleaning methods — such as using lifts or scaffolding — are often inefficient, expensive, and pose additional safety risks. Look for solutions that eliminate the need for these methods, allowing facilities to clean dust at high levels without risking employee safety or interrupting production.

Dangers of Combustible Dust

SpaceVac has been developing state-of-the-art dust cleaning technology since 2013. The company’s innovations are driven by the severe consequences of combustible dust accumulation, which are highlighted by incidents like the 2015 Bosley Mill explosion in the UK, which killed four people. In this tragic case, inadequate dust management led to severe consequences for the business owner under the UK Health & Safety at Work Act of 1974.

Such incidents underline the importance of effective dust control and highlight the need for accessible, reliable solutions to prevent dust buildup in high-risk zones.

Related:Donaldson Launches 3 Compact Dust Collectors

Key Challenges in High-Level Dust Cleaning

Industrial facilities tend to have high-level structures where dust accumulates. These areas can include ducts, trays, light fixtures, and other architectural features, all positioned at heights that make them difficult to access.

Several factors make high-level cleaning especially challenging:

Given these constraints, the industry has traditionally relied on lifts, scaffolding, and two-person teams to access high-level areas. However, this method often requires additional insurance, training, and licensing for working at height, further increasing costs and risks.

Traditional High-Level Cleaning: Limitations and Drawbacks

Scissor lifts and scaffolding are commonly used for cleaning high-level areas, but they come with numerous disadvantages:

Related:How to Maintain & Operate Dust Collectors Using Differential Pressure

SpaceVac International, a UK-based company specializing in high-level cleaning systems that safely remove dust and debris from elevated surfaces, offers patented systems and a focus on innovation. These solutions address the challenges posed by high-level architecture, including ducts, trays, and lighting structures in industrial settings.

SpaceVac solutions address each drawback with specialized tools and systems designed to reach high levels from the ground, making cleaning more efficient and less disruptive.

Solutions for High-Level Dust Removal

The Pro Reach Systems

These systems by SpaceVac are tailored to high-level cleaning, each with specific features for different environments. They are crafted from conductive carbon, making them lightweight, durable, and safe for combustible settings. Offerings include:

Related:Grain Elevator Fined $536K for Dust Hazards

Each system is designed to handle various cleaning heights and combustible dust environments. SpaceVac’s carbon-reach systems are the only systems certified as C2D2 compliant in the US and Canada.

SpaceVac C2D2 Vacuum Systems

The SpaceVac C2D2 Vacuum system is engineered for extreme height. Featuring a 1.5 kW turbine motor, 212 CFM, and 90” water lift, it is equipped with a 3” inlet and a grounded, brushless motor, making it ideal for combustible environments. The powerful suction capabilities enable thorough cleaning without requiring heavy lifting or maneuvering at dangerous heights.

The SpaceVac C2D2 Vacuum system is engineered for extreme height.

SpaceVac also provides a range of C2D2-certified reach tools to enable cleaning across a variety of high-level spaces, regardless of architecture. The SpaceVac C2D2 Explorer also includes an “Eyes & Height” feature that helps operators guide and audit cleaning performance remotely. This feature ensures that even hard-to-reach areas can be monitored and cleaned effectively.

Case Study: Lantmannen Bakery

With a facility spanning 12,000 sq. ft. and ceilings as high as 26 ft., Lantmannen Bakery in Helsinki, Finland, struggled to keep high-level areas clean due to complicated ceiling architecture and limited floor space. The buildup of flour dust posed a significant combustible dust hazard under the EU’s ATEX guidelines.

Before adopting SpaceVac’s solutions, the bakery used two staff members with a scissor lift to clean, which achieved only 40 sq. ft. per hour. With an estimated cleaning time of 600 hours per session, each cleaning cost €10,200 in labor alone. Even then, 40% of the high-level areas remained uncleaned due to access restrictions, increasing the risk of dust accumulation.

SpaceVac’s Pro Reach system helped the Lantmannen Bakery in Helsinki, Finland, address its dust challenges.

Switching to SpaceVac’s Pro Reach system allowed the bakery to clean at 270 sq. ft. per hour, significantly improving efficiency. The total cleaning time dropped to 160 hours per session, reducing labor costs to €2,720 and enabling access to 100% of high-level areas. Annual savings were estimated at €50,800, with the added benefits of improved safety and regulatory compliance. With SpaceVac’s systems, the bakery could conduct regular, on-demand cleanings, eliminating the need for expensive lifts and associated risks.

Regulatory Insight: The Importance of Effective Dust Control

Regulations like those outlined by OSHA emphasize the importance of consistent, effective dust control. OSHA recommends that facilities establish housekeeping programs with regular cleaning schedules for areas like ducts, pipes, hoods, ledges, and beams to prevent dust accumulation in operating areas. Similarly, insurance companies like Chubb highlight the need for design and work practices that prevent dust accumulation and control ignition sources to reduce explosion risks.

SpaceVac’s systems align with these guidelines by offering tools that support frequent, thorough cleanings without disrupting facility operations, ensuring companies stay compliant while improving safety and efficiency.

The Future of High-Level Cleaning

With combustible dust presenting ongoing hazards for industrial facilities, innovations in high-level cleaning technology are vital. Solutions such as SpaceVac’s Pro Reach systems, C2D2-certified vacuums, and reach tools, provide a safer and more efficient approach to high-level cleaning. Facilities can now conduct regular maintenance without production downtime or excessive expense.

As dust control regulations continue to evolve, innovations in equipment make it easier for facilities to meet safety standards while protecting both workers and equipment. Investing in advanced cleaning solutions can significantly reduce long-term costs and risks, making them a smart choice for any facility handling combustible dust.