At Hazardex Live 2025, Explosion Safety Consultant Jim Vingerhoets from Fike will be focusing on the critical differences between flameless explosion venting of combustible dust explosions using flameless vent devices with dust retention screens versus those without.

Flameless explosion venting is a vital safety measure in process industries where combustible dust poses an explosion risk. Devices with dust retention screens offer the added benefit of containing particulates, reducing contamination risks and mitigating the release of hazardous dust into surrounding areas. In contrast, flameless vent devices without such screens allow for particulate release, potentially increasing dust dispersion in the external environment which in turn may lead to a secondary dust explosion outside of the protected process equipment.

The presentation will delve into how the presence or absence of a dust retention screen impacts the hazardous area classification around the flameless vent. We will discuss how dust containment influences the extension or contraction of hazardous zones, particularly in ATEX-regulated environments, where maintaining safe distances is crucial. By examining real-world scenarios and experimental data, this presentation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how these design variations affect explosion mitigation strategies and zoning requirements, guiding industry professionals in selecting the appropriate venting solutions for their specific applications.

About the author:

Jim Vingerhoets has been with Fike since 2007 and is currently an Explosion Safety Consultant for Fike Europe. Based in Fike’s European office in Herentals, Belgium, Jim is an active working member of European Standardization Committee CEN TC 305 WG3.  He has coordinated multiple research activities and equipment qualification tests at several international test sites and lectures regularly on the subject of dust explosion protection.