FIKE HOSTS FACILITY TOUR AND FULL SCALE EXPLOSION DEMONSTRATION

Blue Springs, MO, October 27, 2010 – The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently hosted the 2010 NFPA Dust Explosion Hazard Recognition and Control Symposium in Kansas City, Missouri, focusing on updates in industry best practices for the management of dust explosion hazards. In association with the Symposium, Fike offered an on-site facility tour of its manufacturing facility and a live demonstration of combustible dust explosions at its Full Scale Test Site.

Fike constantly strives to be the industry leader in explosion protection devices and services related to combustible dust. Demonstrations at Fike’s full scale test site provided live examples of an open air coal dust deflagration, as well mitigation methods using standard Fike explosion protection products.  A modified dust collector was used for a system demonstration of explosion venting, with chemical and mechanical isolation shown on discharging pipelines. All demonstrations clearly showed the hazards associated with dust explosions and methods used for effective control.

Jon Britt, Manager of Testing and Analysis for Fike, oversaw the test site demonstrations and explained, "Fike’s test facility allows us to conduct full scale design validation testing of our explosion protection products, assuring they will perform properly in various applications. We also have industrial scale test equipment on which to conduct fundamental explosion protection research and development of new protection techniques and products."

Niels Pedersen, Director of Business Development for Dantherm Filtration, Inc. was among the 95 people to tour Fike and witness the explosion demonstrations. Niels said, "After one and half days packed with presentations from industry experts at the Combustible Dust Symposium it was a pleasure to be invited to a lunch, tour and demonstration at the impressive World Headquarters of Fike Corporation. During the tour of their factory, I was extremely impressed with the dedication to quality, which their employees expressed. Their commitment to manufacture high quality safety products is apparent. The pinnacle of the visit was their impressive test facility where we saw full scale, simulated dust explosions and the safe action of their suppression and isolation devices. It really demonstrated the need to use well designed safety systems".

To learn more about the full line of explosion protection products and testing capabilities, visit www.fike.com.

Fike is a globally recognized supplier of products and services that protect people and critical assets from dangers such as fire, explosion, and over-pressurization. With over 65 years experience manufacturing safety solutions, Fike offers a complete line of proven, reliable products to customers around the world.