What is the main fire hazard in a flour mill?

The primary hazard is a dust explosion caused by the ignition of fine flour particles suspended in air. This is addressed in Clause 6.

What type of electrical fittings are required in process areas?

Dust-ignition proof or intrinsically safe electrical equipment suitable for Class II hazardous locations is required to prevent ignition from sparks or hot surfaces (Clause 8).

What is the required fire resistance for a wall separating the mill from the warehouse?

A separating wall between high-hazard areas (like the mill) and other areas should have a fire resistance rating of 4 hours (Clause 5.4.1).

Are automatic sprinklers mandatory?

Yes, an automatic sprinkler installation is recommended for the entire building to control fire spread (Clause 7.4).

IS 13045

: 1991

Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Industrial Buildings: Flour Mills

CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeBIMFire Safety · Fire Safety

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This standard outlines the code of practice for fire prevention and safety in industrial buildings used as flour mills. It addresses the unique and severe hazard of combustible flour dust explosions, providing requirements for building construction, hazardous area classification, electrical safety, dust control, and fire protection/suppression systems.

Code of Practice for Fire Safety of Industrial Buildings: Flour Mills

Quick Reference Values

Maximum travel distance to an exit22.5 m

Fire resistance for separating walls between high hazard areas4 hours

Minimum number of exits from any floor2

Maximum spacing between fire hydrants30 m

Explosion vent area to room volume ratio1 m² per 15 m³ for light construction

Practical Notes

The primary hazard in flour mills is combustible dust explosion. Meticulous housekeeping and effective dust control/extraction systems are paramount.

All electrical equipment in process areas must be specified for hazardous locations (dust-ignition proof) to prevent sparks acting as an ignition source.

Structural elements should be designed to minimize surfaces where dust can accumulate, for example, by using closed sections like circular hollow sections instead of open I-beams.