Explosion and Fireproof Doors...need some opinions

[cougeng21]

Hi,

I am in the process of assisting with the design of a building that requires some personnel entry doors that need to withstand an over-pressure of 5 psi and have a 3 hour fire rating. I have done some preliminary research and found some vendors, however I am curious to know what organizations are responsible for qualifying these types of things (e.g. NFPA, ASTM).

Also, I need to learn more about the different types of sealing technology that goes into making sure these doors stay sealed against the over pressure.

Anyone out there care to assist me?

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Google it and call a few mfgs.....

 

[tienti]

I've been looking into explosion proof enclosures myself. Are you looking for a certain rating nema or specific class groups?

I've found some for my purpose from adalet, killark, akron electric...

Doing Work

 

[tygerdawg]

Once upon a time I had to get facilities structures built for a possible explosive environment. NFPA standards (???....ummmmm....NFPA 70???....30?....33? can't recall, too many gray hairs) covered how the structure had to be built. I remember I had to specify temperature control measures, ventilation, personnel egress doors to specific fire ratings. Luckily, all I had to do was be the dumb specification engineer and the general contractor had all the knowledge and experience to make it happen for me.

Prior to that I worked at a place making exposive products. They built a new propellant manufacturing facility with "soft" doors in the event of a detonation. The "soft" doors would blow out easily in the event of an explosion and keep the structure intact. The "soft" doors weren't as soft as they thought and the inevitable explosion destroyed the building because the pressure wasn't released in time.

Tread lightly in this jungle laddie, there be beasties about.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com