Shredder explosions have occurred in most refuse processing plants with shredding facilities. Lessons learned in these incidents have been incorporated into this practice along with results of relevant test programs and general industrial explosion protection recommended practices. Recommendations in this practice cover explosion protection aspects of the design and operation of shredding facilities and equipment used therein.

This practice is not intended to be a substitute for an operating manual or a detailed set of design specifications. Rather, it represents general principles and guidelines to be addressed in detail in generating the operating manual and design specifications.

1.1 This practice covers general recommended design features and operating practices for shredder explosion protection in resource recovery plants and other refuse processing facilities.

1.2 Hammermills and other types of size reduction equipment (collectively termed shredders) are employed at many facilities that mechanically process solid wastes for resource recovery. Flammable or explosive materials (for example, gases, vapors, powders, and commercial and military explosives) may be present in the as-received waste stream. There is potential for these materials to be released, dispersed, and ignited within or near a shredder. Therefore, explosion prevention and damage amelioration provisions are required.