BS EN 16770:2018

What is BS EN 16770 - Chip and dust extraction systems about?  

BS EN 16770 discusses the safety of woodworking machines. This European standard helps its users of the woodworking industry to create a safe work environment for the workers by ensuring the machinery meets the minimum safety requirements.  

BS EN 16770 deals with all significant hazards, hazardous situations and events as listed in Clause 4, relevant for chip and dust extraction systems for indoor use designated to be connected to woodworking machines, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer, including reasonably foreseeable misuse. 

Note1: BS EN 16770 does not apply to: 

• Extraction systems with a nominal volume flow rate above 8 000 m3 h−1 and/or a volume of the dust loaded part of the dust extractor above 3,5 m3 
• Vacuum cleaners according to EN 60335-2-69 
• Extraction systems with fans installed in the dust loaded part 
• Extraction equipment (e.g., extraction hoods, ducts) within a woodworking machine, i.e., up to and including the outlet to which the extraction system is connected 
• Extraction systems designed for dust with KST values above 200 bar ms−1, minimum ignition energy below 10 mJ and/or lower explosion level below 30 g m−3 
• Extraction systems designed for aspiration of explosive atmospheres, e.g., dust load > 50 % lower explosion level 
• Systems designed for extraction of machines with a higher risk of causing ignition sources 

Note2: BS EN 16770 is not applicable to machines that are manufactured before the date of its publication as a European Standard. 

Who is BS EN 16770  - Chip and dust extraction systems for? 

BS EN 16770 on the safety of woodworking machines is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of woodworking machines 
• Designers of woodworking machines 
• Sawmills 

Why should you use BS EN 16770 - Chip and dust extraction systems?  

Chip and dust extraction systems help to keep the woodworking plants dust free and maintain air quality inside the facility. However, if these machines undergo a malfunction, they can cause a significant amount of damage to life and property. 

BS EN 16770 classifies various types of hazards like mechanical, thermal, electrical etc. and states the potential reasons for those malfunctions and the potential damage they can cause. BS EN 16770 also provides you with solutions to minimize the risk of these hazards.   

In conclusion, the guidelines of BS EN 16770 enable you to design better and safer chip and dust extraction systems to ensure the safety of its end-users.