In Industrial Environments where raw material powders are handled and debris is generated through converting processes, dust isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a serious safety and compliance concern. At NV5, we specialize in designing and implementing advanced dust collection systems that protect workers, reduce housekeeping, ensure regulatory compliance, and improve environmental outcomes.
Why Dust Collection Matters
If combustible dust accumulation in manufacturing facilities isn’t mitigated, it can lead to fire hazards, degrade air quality, decrease efficiency of HVAC systems, and even lead to catastrophic explosions. Any facility handling combustible powders or generating combustible dust is at risk. NV5 Project Manager and dust collection expert Amelia Johnson explains:
“Nearly all organic materials, metals, metal alloys, and synthetic materials can become combustible and eventually explosible if the particulate solid size is small enough. Most powder-handling and dust generating facilities—wood shops, paper mills, converting plants—are at risk.”
Beyond safety, dust collection systems also play a critical role in environmental stewardship. By capturing and filtering airborne particulates and monitoring filtration systems for effectiveness, facilities can reduce exhaust source emissions to the environment and improve indoor air quality for building occupants.
NV5’s Experience in Industrial Manufacturing
NV5 brings decades of experience in facility engineering across a wide range of industrial sectors, including:
- Chemical processing
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Packaging and converting
- Wood products and paper mills
- Plastics and abrasives
Our multidisciplinary teams have supported clients with everything from process design and HVAC upgrades to fire protection and environmental compliance. Dust collection is a critical part of this integrated expertise.
Whether you are retrofitting legacy systems or designing new installations, NV5 understands the operational, regulatory, and financial pressures manufacturers face, and we work with our clients to deliver solutions that work.
NV5’s Approach: Holistic, Customized, Collaborative
Dust collection projects at NV5 are deeply integrated with client operations. Each system is tailored to the facility’s unique processes, equipment, and safety requirements. Our approach includes:
- Site Assessments: Validating existing systems and identifying high-risk areas
- LEV Design: Designing and providing effective local exhaust ventilation to capture powder and/or dust at the source
- Vendor Coordination: Competitive dust collection and explosion protection equipment quoting from trusted sales partners and manufacturers
- Controls Integration: Aligning with plant engineering, process electrical, and instrumentation teams
- Commissioning & Startup: Minimizing downtime, ensuring seamless commissioning and effective operation
“We’re not handing over a standard solution to our customers. These projects are a joint effort with the customer from start to finish…all customers and processes have different needs, integration requirements, and operational preferences.”
Technology and Trends
NV5 leverages industry experience and technology, including:
- Varietal dust collection equipment solutions
- Explosion isolation and suppression systems
- Customized control, monitoring, and integration panels
- Material testing for combustibility and explosivity characteristics, particulate distribution size, moisture content, minimum ignition energy, etc.
NV5 takes great pride in proactively staying ahead of evolving industry standards, such as the upcoming NFPA 660, Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids. This commitment not only ensures compliance but also demonstrates to our clients that we continually go above and beyond to deliver exceptional solutions.
“It’s necessary for us to stay up to date on standards so we’re designing and installing systems that are guaranteed to meet industry requirements, as well as future capacity needs and process changes.”
Beyond Compliance: Creating Better Workplaces
Dust collection isn’t only important for meeting codes. It is instrumental in shaping work environments that are not just healthier but also more efficient.
“Every time I leave a manufacturing plant, I’m grateful for the environment I get to work at my desk job. Plants are generally loud, dirty, and maintained at uncomfortable temperatures, which becomes exhausting to reside in. At the end of a successful dust collection project, we’ve made the space cleaner and more enjoyable for the employees to work daily.”
By reducing manual cleaning, improving air quality, and relocating noisy equipment, NV5 helps clients enhance employee well-being and increase efficiency.
Looking Ahead
NV5 is expanding its dust collection expertise across industries and geographies. With a proven track record and deep technical knowledge, we’re ready to help manufacturers of all sizes tackle their dust challenges.
“This applies to [essentially] all manufacturing companies. It’s whether they’re up to speed on the hazards that may exist in their space and the requirements to mitigate said hazards.”