BS EN 12779:2015

What is BS EN 12779 - Chip and dust extraction systems about?  

BS EN 12779 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 12779 deals with the significant hazards, hazardous situations and events relevant for chip and dust extraction systems for fixed installation and for connection with machines for working on solid wood (including hard wood), wood-based materials and wood-like materials, when they are used as intended and under the conditions foreseen by the manufacturer, including reasonably foreseeable misuse. 

BS EN 12779 deals also with the technical requirements to minimize the hazards in connection with the temporary storage of wood dust, chips and shavings in a silo, bin or container including charging and discharge systems. 

Note1: BS EN 12779 does not apply to: 

• Chip and dust extraction systems with filters installed indoors (covered by EN 16770); 
• Extraction equipment (e.g., extraction hoods, ducts) within a woodworking machine including the outlet to which the extraction system is connected; 
• Chip and dust extraction systems designed for KST values above 200 bar ms−1; 
• Mechanical conveying systems between filter and storage facility; 
• Extraction systems and conveying systems with underpressure below 0,3 bar or overpressure above 0,3 bar; 
• Storage devices for pressed wood products (e.g., pellets) and humid shavings. 

Note2: Requirements for containers are not dealt with in BS EN 12779. 

Note3: BS EN 12779 is not applicable to machines that are manufactured before the date of its publication as EN. 

Who is BS EN 12779 - Chip and dust extraction systems for? 

BS EN 12779 on the safety of woodworking machines is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of woodworking machines 
• Designers of woodworking machines 
• Health and safety bodies (regulators, safety inspectors) 
• Maintenance personnel 

Why should you use BS EN 12779 - 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 12779 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 12779 also provides you with solutions to minimize the risk of these hazards. BS EN 12779 also offers you solutions to safeguard your silos by providing you with installation, operation and maintenance guidelines. 

In conclusion, the guidelines of BS EN 12779 enable you to design better and safer chip and dust extraction systems to ensure the safety of its end-users 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS EN 12779:2015 supersedes EN 12779:2004+A1:2009. 

In relation to EN 12779:2004+A1:2009, the following main modifications have been made in BS EN 12779:2015: 

• The scope has been adjusted to meet the fields of application of the standard 
• The requirements for safety-related controls have been modified for clarification 
• The requirements for electrical equipment and installations have been modified for clarification 
• The requirements for fire and explosion protection have been modified for clarification 
• The requirements for noise protection have been modified for clarification