The NFPA Regulation 652 Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust is a 2015 NFPA regulatory document that outlines the requirements for combustible dust collection, management, and hazard reduction according to safety standards created in the document. While other more industry specific combustible dust documents exist, the NFPA 652 is aimed at covering the general requirements for managing and collecting combustible dust to ensure that safety fundamentals are addressed across all industries. The new regulations were released as part of a move to improve working safety in industries with combustible dusts, after over 50 combustible dust related accidents occurred between 2008 and 2012. It includes several industry updates, including new mandatory inspections and equipment regulations. 

Regulation Scope 
The NFPA Regulation 652 offers general information, and has some direct implications for everyone working in industries with combustible dusts. The regulation primarily outlines the safety standards required to avoid dust explosions through managing dust collection, controlling ignition sources, and limiting the impact of explosions through construction, isolation, and housekeeping. It also introduces some changes to previous standards. 

What it Means for You
Regulation 652 includes some direct implications for dust collection and hazard reduction that you will have to take into account. 

Dust Hazard Analysis – The Dust Hazard Analysis is one of the most controversial but also the most important of the new regulations set forth in the Regulation 652. The DHA is a systematic review designed to identify and evaluate the potential hazards related to combustible dust, particulate solids, or other types of dust in a process or factory. It is also mandatory for all existing factories and processes to complete by 2018, or three years from the launch of the original Regulation 652. This inspection is designed to improve safety, simply because the NFPA found that one of the primary reasons for dust related explosions were that the owners and operators were unaware that dusts on their premises were combustible. Therefore, the DHA is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of facilities where dusts are created. You can find detailed information in Chapter 5 of the Regulation 652. 

Performance Based Design – You may be asked to improve performance based design to mitigate the impact of an explosion or hazard, or contain an ignition source away from fire. Performance based design is required in all workplaces with explosive dust hazards. These standards include passive systems such as explosion venting, flameless venting, passive float valves (to stop an explosion from entering a dust collection system), backdraft dampers, and flame front diverters. These technologies are aimed at reducing the impact of an explosion should it happen. Some areas may also have to install active explosion suppression including chemical isolation and suppression equipment or update your existing system. Read more in Chapter 6 and 7 of Regulation 652. 

Hazard Management – Hazard management includes dust collection, mitigation, dust explosion prevention, and housekeeping. Here, the 652 standards require: 

• Documented risk assessment 
• Dust buildup prevention 
• Separation of Combustible Dust and Workers
• A dust collection system that meets or exceeds minimum requirements 
• Documented airflow for each dust collection hood in the dust collection system 
• Requirements for placement and standards for different dust collection systems
• Dust collection management 

In many cases this may mean that you will have to inspect, update, and possibly replace your existing dust collection system to meet modern safety standards. 

Handling Conflicts 
Because the NFPA 652 introduced some new standards, it is important to pay attention when referring to industry specific standards. As of 2016, when a requirement in an industry or commodity specific standard differs from the NFPA 652, the specific standard should still be followed. When there is no industry or commodity specific standard, the NFPA 652 should be applied. 
Industry Specific Regulations Referral 
If you need to brush up on industry specific regulations, you can find the standards here: 

• NFPA 61: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Processing Facilities
• NFPA 484: Standard for Combustible Metals
• NFPA 654: Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids
• NFPA 655: Standard for Prevention of Sulfur Fires and Explosions
• NFPA 664: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities

The NFPA 652 offers safety guidelines for recognizing, mitigating, and preventing combustible dust hazards. However, you should still check with specific industry regulations for detailed information on the combustible dusts produced in your industry.