Fire Resistant Conveyor Belt: A Key Component For Industrial Application

Importance of Fire Resistant Conveyor Belt

Fire safety is a matter of paramount importance in a wide range of industries. This is particularly applied in the industrial environments where a conveyor system is essential. As a result, fire resistant conveyor belts are a key component in ensuring fire safety. They are specifically designed to reduce fire hazards, prevent the spread of fire through the entire belt, and minimize the damage to life and property.

This article will explain the importance of fire safety in conveyor systems and the role that fire resistant conveyor belts play in risk mitigation. We will also discuss the standards and testing methods used to determine the fire resistance of these belts, as well as the factors that should be taken into account in selecting the right fire resistance rating for specific environments and applications.

In addition, we will introduce the manufacturing process, features, applications, the standard and testing for fire resistance, and general technical parameter of the fire resistant conveyor belts. This will help you understand this specialized conveyor belt in an all-round way.

By understanding the significance of fire safety and the role the retardant conveyor belts play in specific industries can take proactive measures to protect life and assets arising from fire incidents. It is crucial to prioritize safety and invest in reliable fire retardant conveyor belts that meet the necessary standards and requirements.

With an understanding of the importance of fire safety and the role of fire retardant conveyor belts in specific industries can you take proactive measures to protect lives and assets in the event of a fire. It is vital to prioritize safety and invest in reliable fire retardant conveyor belts that meet the necessary standards and requirements.

Importance of Fire Safety and Fire Resistant Conveyor Belts

Fire safety is a matter of importance in conveyor systems that should not be ignored. If not properly handled, it will exert a serious effect on the conveyor systems in the event of a belt fire. The risk of fire leads to devastating consequences, including product destruction, equipment downtime, damage to human life and assets, facility breakdown, etc.

To mitigate the risk of fire to conveyor belts, it is essential to choose the right and high-quality fire resistant conveyor belts that meet the industry standard and testing method. These specialized conveyor belts are designed to resist fire and self-extinguish when exposed to naked flames. They are constructed with fire resistant rubber compounds and special additives and chemicals to effectively put out the fire. This prevents the spread the fire across the conveyor belts, maintains uninterrupted operations, and protects the lives and property of the factory personnel.

Manufacturing Process of Fire Resistant Conveyor Belt 

Fire resistant conveyor belts, also known as flame retardant conveyor belts, are manufactured through processes of mixing, calendering, laminating, forming, and vulcanizing. They are formed with a special blend of natural and synthetic rubber with the addition of flame retardant properties.

Difference Between Fire Resistant Conveyor Belts And Steel Cord Flame Resistant Conveyor Belts

Fire resistant conveyor belts, also known as flame resistant conveyor belts, use nylon, polyester, and canvas as the carcass material, and are covered with synthetic rubber as the top and bottom layer. They are featured with exceptional tensile strength and are designed to be durable. You can find their suitability in a broad range of industries, such as manufacturing, food processing, mining, power plants, chemical fertilizer plants, steel and foundry industry, shipping, etc.

Steel cord flame resistant conveyor belts are embedded with the steel cord as the carcass material and are coated with flame-retardant rubber cover. They are typically designed for conveying materials in fire resistant and anti-explosion applications, especially in underground coal mines.

Features and Characteristics of Fire Resistant Conveyor Belt

Exceptional tensile strength

Excellent durability and longevity

Highly abrasion-resistant

Superior flame resistance

Good resistance to heat and wear

Excellent resistance to chemicals and corrosion

Withstand tough working conditions under extremely high temperatures

Prevent the spread of fire over the entire conveyor belt

Meet the ISO flame test standard

Applications of Flame Retardant Conveyor Belt

Mining industry: Fire resistant belts are particularly used for underground coal mines, conveying flammable and explosive materials, such as sinter, cinder, coke, etc.

Above-ground coal handling plant: Flame resistant conveyor belts can help reduce the incidence of fires in both above-ground and underground coal mining industry.

Thermal power plants: Conveyor belts are designed to transport coal and sometimes ashes from the unloading point to the warehouse in thermal power plants. Fire conveyor belts are highly flame retardant to reduce the risk of fire hazards that may be caused during the transfer of coals.

Chemical industry: Flame retardant belts are made to resist fire and self-extinguish when exposed to flames and fire sparks, preventing the spread of fire and reducing damage to life and property.

Shipping industry: When transporting combustible bulk materials in the shipping industry, fire resistant conveyor belts are perfect to prevent fire risks and minimize damage to human life and property.

Standard and Testing For Fire Resistance

Fire resistance of conveyor belts is vital for the safety of various industries. Conveyor belts must undergo rigorous testing experiments and conform to specific standards to meet this requirement. The most common standard is EN/ISO 340, which involves exposing the belt samples to an open flame and measuring the time taken to burn and extinguish. The duration of uninterrupted burning should be less than 15 seconds for each sample, and the total duration should not exceed 45 seconds for each group of six samples.

In addition to fire resistance, the degree of abrasion resistance and the specific requirements of the applications where the conveyor belts to be used are also important. Different grades of flame retardant conveyor belts including Class 2A (K grade) and Class 2B (S grade) offer different levels of protection depending on the materials to be conveyed and the potential for wear.

Technical Parameter of Flame Resistant Belt

Overlay Performance  
Executive standard: GB/T 10822-2003
Project Company Level L Level D
Tensile Strength Mpa ≥14 ≥18
Elongation at break % ≥400 ≥450

 

Safety Performance
Project Flame Retardant Grade
K2 K3
Flame duration The total flame duration of six coated specimens is not more than 45s, and any single value is not more than 15s. The average flame duration of three coated specimens is not more than 60s.
Electrostatic
conductivity
≤3*108Ω
Reburing property No flame shall reappear on any specimen.

How To Choose The Right Fire-Resistant Conveyor Belt For Your Needs

Where fire safety in material handling is concerned, the selection of the correct flame retardant conveyor belt to meet the various needs of the industry is crucial. Here are some useful tips for selecting the right fire resistant conveyor belts.  Here are some useful tips for choosing the appropriate fire resistant conveyor belts.

Firstly, determine the fire resistance rating required for your specific application. You should take such factors as potential fire hazards, temperature extremes, and regulatory compliance standards into consideration. Selecting fire-resistant belts with varying degrees of flame retardancy and heat resistance to withstand different environments.

Secondly, evaluate the durability and longevity of the conveyor belt. Exceptional features like solid structure, reinforced plies, and specialized rubber compounds are just what you are looking for to withstand high temperatures and wear and tear.

Thirdly, consider if the belts are resistant to other elements including oil, chemicals, and abrasion. Before making any decision, carefully analyze how these factors may affect the overall performance and service life of the conveyor belt.

Finally, seek advice from the conveyor belt manufacturers, professionals or experts. The team can provide you with recommendations that are available for your specific requirements and industry standards. They can assist you in choosing the right flame retardant conveyor belt for your needs.

To sum up, fire retardant conveyor belts are an essential part in ensuring safety for a wide range of industries. By understanding how important it is to select the right fire resistant conveyor belts, distinguishing the available level of fire resistance, and working with reliable conveyor belt manufacturers, buyers can take active approaches to protect the lives of their employees and their assets from the catastrophic damages arising from fire incidents.