Explosion vents and panels are vital safety components in a huge range of industrial settings including factories, food processing sectors, chemical processing and woodworking and furniture manufacturing.
They not only prevent catastrophic damage by releasing pressure, flames and dust but they also safeguard personnel and equipment too! In order for these panels to operate effectively, especially in hazardous environments, a strong and dependable seal is vital.
Within this article, we have explored some of the benefits that come with FDA-approved silicone sheeting for industrial applications, including explosion protection vents.
Discover how this food-safe material enhances safety and performance, in some of the most demanding environments.
Explosion venting – dust explosion protection
Explosion venting is a passive safety system that is designed to release the pressure generated by an internal explosion, typically within an enclosed or semi-enclosed industrial area. Essentially, explosion venting acts as a relief valve.
In environments where there is a constant flow of production, combustible dust can pose a significant threat if it is not kept under control. Dust particles that are left to their own devices can cause catastrophic explosions if ignited, which is why explosion venting is incredibly important when it comes to optimising safety in the workplace.
But how does explosion venting work? When a dust explosion occurs, the rapid pressure build-up triggers the opening of strategically placed vent panels, redirecting the explosive force, flames and dust cloud to a safe area.
Active Explosion Protection Solutions
Active explosion protection solutions have been expertly developed to detect and suppress any explosion in its early stages, preventing it from fully developing and causing widespread damage and injury.
In order to work effectively, these innovative systems rely on triggers, sensors and suppression agents that are ready to jump into action!
Passive Explosion Protection Solutions
Passive explosion protection solutions are performance driven safety measures that rely on the physical properties of equipment and structures to effectively mitigate the impact of an explosion, without having to rely on sensors or triggers.
The main purpose of these systems is to contain, vent and isolate an explosion once it has already happened. With this in mind, they are commonly used in dust collectors, silos and other enclosed spaces.
FDA Solid Silicone Sheets
Versatile and used across a wide range of industries that require strict hygiene and safety requirements, FDA solid silicone sheets provide incredible thermal stability, maintaining its properties across a broad temperature range.
But that’s not all: solid silicone sheets are also non-toxic, odourless, resistant to chemicals, oils and acids, and they also offer incredible versatility, functionality and durability.
With this in mind, these sheets are used mostly in the food and pharmaceutical industry.
FDA Sponge Silicone Sheets
Bringing together the food-safe properties of silicone with the compressible nature of sponge, FDA sponge silicone sheets are used across a vast range of industries, especially those that require stringent hygiene requirements.
For example, these sheets are commonly used within the food industry due to their ability to meet food grade compliance. Their porous, sponge-like structure also makes FDA sponge silicone sheets easy to compress, making them perfect for sealing irregular surfaces and gaps.
And with its ability to withstand a broad temperature spectrum, FDA sponge silicone is also able to withstand a diverse range of operating conditions.
Other Uses for FDA-approved Silicone
One of the main benefits of FDA-approved silicone is that their incredible versatility extends far beyond just sheets. For example, its unique properties and adaptability make this type of silicone ideal for use in a wide range of applications, especially within industries that demand the highest hygiene and safety standards.
Here are some of the other common uses of FDA-approved silicone.
Food storage
FDA-approved silicone is renowned for revolutionising the food storage industry due to its ability to provide the highest level of durability, safety and of course, versatility.
Commonly used for airtight seals and containers, reusable bags, baking and cooking materials, food storage and food storage lids, FDA-approved silicone is both versatile and convenient.
Optimising food safety, this type of silicone also complies with FDA regulations, is eco-friendly, easy to use and temperature resistant, making it the ideal choice for the food industry.
Food processing
As we have already mentioned above, FDA-approved silicone plays a crucial role in food processing, especially in environments where durability, hygiene and temperature resistance are always a priority.
For example, silicone’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures, whilst resisting chemical degradation makes it the ideal solution for sealing food processing equipment.
As well as equipment seals, silicone is also used to create silicone conveyor belts that are used for transportation due to their non-stick surface. This material is also an effective solution for creating silicone tubes and hoses that are used to transfer powders, semi-powders and liquids.
How we can help
Established since 1959, Silicone Engineering were one of the first pioneering companies to specialise in the manufacture and supply of silicone rubber for sealing, insulation and protection of applications in a wide range of industrial sectors.
Our ability to formulate, mix and supply silicone rubber in a range of products from sheeting, extrusions (cords, strips, profiles and tubes) and mouldings, we provide silicone expertise and innovative custom solutions that add quality throughout the supply chain.
Investing heavily in the latest production machinery and technical facilities, Silicone Engineering has one of the best-equipped silicone research and development laboratories in the industry. This is where we formulate and test all our materials meaning we have full traceability throughout the manufacturing process, giving the customer confidence in buying directly from Europe’s leading silicone manufacturer and supplier.
Silicone Engineering is the only silicone sponge sheeting manufacturer in the UK – we are experts in calendared closed cell silicone sponge. Manufactured on state-of-the-art processing lines, our kSil Silicone Sponge brand is known across industries for providing excellent thermal insulation, physical performance, and temperature resistance in many applications.
Our fully FDA-approved silicone sponge sheeting is the ideal material for applications in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industry.
To find out more about the silicone sponge sheeting products we offer please get in touch.
