Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I install a Raptor Spark System to protect my dust collect/baghouse?

One of the most important advantages of a spark detection and extinguishing system is that it is designed to prevent a possible ignition source from entering a collection vessel where the environment necessary for a potential fire or explosion is likely to be found.

2. How does a spark detector work?

A spark detector is a simple device which monitors the infrared light within the field of view of a special sensor which detects light in the infrared range. This light is emitted from all things which emanate heat, and sparks or burning embers emit a greater amount of infrared light in contrast to the surrounding area within a typical room, workshop or factory floor.

3. Who are our Raptor Spark Detection customers?

Companies that work in wood, paper, food, tobacco, textile, bioenergy, hygiene, and recycling industries.

4. What are the certifications applicable to the Raptor Spark detection System?

FM approval, CE listed

5. What can the Raptor Spark Detectors do?

Spark Detectors are the primary sensor in an explosion prevention package used with a dust collection system. They can be tied to activate a single safety component or multiple devices connected to the Fire Control Panel, a programmable logic controller which determines what happens when certain input signals have been received.

6. What makes our spark detector stand out from other infrared sensors?

How quickly it operates. For a spark detector to be effective it must sense a rapid change in infrared light coming from a tiny hot particle traveling at high speed through its field of view. Once a spark has been detected, a signal must then be passed to the fire protection system. That system will then process the signal and mark it as an emergency event, which will then initiate fire prevention mechanisms associated with a spark being detected at that location in the dust collection system.

7. How does the Extinguishing System work?

Spark detectors can be paired with a Spark Extinguishment set, which are a set of nozzles mounted to the ductwork that pop into the air stream and spray water to quench a flame. Detectors must be placed at a distance which provides enough time for the detection signal to be sent to the Fire Control Panel, the signal to be processed and sent on to the extinguishment set, and then for the extinguishment set to activate the sprinklers in the duct ahead of the spark.

8. How long does it take for the Raptor Spark detector to activate the Extinguishing unit?

200ms

9. Will the water spray shut us down or ruin our filters?

One of the main advantages of the system is that it uses the minimal amount of water to eliminate the potential ignition source. When responding to a spark, the valve will open and then shut off after completing a pre-set spray time duration. The amount of water expelled into the duct will vary depending upon the spray cycle time, water pressure, size and number of valves or nozzles used however it is highly unlikely that an activation of the system will cause any business interruption.

10. Is the technology in the Raptor Spark detector insensitive to daylight/blue light?

Yes, it is only sensitive to infrared not visible light. Conventional spark detectors, by contrast, are based on silicone photodiodes that detect visible light and near-infrared radiation.

11. How much distance must there be between the sensors and the nozzle?

The distance is dependent on the air velocity, at 20m/s the required distance is 5.07m (see attached chart for details)

12. How much water pressure do we need?

The required water pressure is 4.99 bar, but the acceptable range of water pressure per the FM approval is 4.34-5.65 bar

1. What does High Speed mean?

Our Raptor Gate closes in 500 milliseconds (1 second = 1000 milliseconds). NFPA mentions in 654 C.1.2.2, “There is an absolute necessity for a predictable amount of time between the detection of the spark and the actuation of the abort gate.”
The only way to achieve this “high speed” is with our spring assist and our robust “honeycomb” gate design. If you are not using a heavy gate and springs, you do not have a high speed abort gate.

2. How do I know what the sensor to abort gate distance should be?

Air velocity feet-per-second divided by 2 (1/2 second) = sensor to abort gate distance in feet. If you are running your return air velocity at 3000 FPM your sensor to abort gate distance would be 25’. Other less expensive abort gates that do not have the heavy gates and spring assist, the sensor to abort distance is closer to 50’ needed. This can be a real problem due to the fact that most people do not have that much distance.

3. Will Raptor Gates work with any spark detection equipment?

Yes. We offer a stand-alone infrared sensor to operate our gates. We can also offer the entire spark detection and extinguishment system.

4. Is the Raptor Gate NFPA approved?

No. NFPA does not approve abort gates. Our Raptor Gate meets and exceeds all NFPA guidelines. There are no NFPA approved abort gates on the market.

5. Does an abort gate stop or divert and explosion?

No. Abort Gates are designed to abort sparks, fire and/or contaminated air caused by a broken bag or other system malfunction. High speed abort gates are not fast enough to stop an explosion.

6. Do I need additional support to hold up my Raptor Gate?

In most cases you will need a dedicated support due to the weight of an abort gate.

7. Do I need a ladder and a service platform?

It is not totally necessary, but NFPA suggests that you need to regularly inspect and service your gate.

8. Do I have to mount the Raptor Gate horizontally?

Yes. The gate is gravity operated with spring assist.

9. Can an abort gate be mounted inside?

Yes. It is important to check with your local building codes regarding venting a potential fire through the duct. They may have requirements of material thickness, gaskets, etc. The most important thing to be aware of is making sure that you are venting into a safe direction.

10. Why are some abort gates so much less expensive than others?

There are a couple of companies making abort gates that are built extremely light. Without all of the spring assist, electromagnetic actuators, hollow honey comb blade and other features, they can be made for much less. Our Raptor Gates are the strongest, heaviest and most reliable on the market. When an 800lb blade is slammed shut in less than a ½ of a second, it is important that the gate be built heavy. Our gates are constructed of ¼” & 3/8” plate with a 2-7/8” shaft.

1. How does the Raptor Shield work?

Our Raptor Shield has impingement plates that cause turbulence and direct sparks and embers toward the walls of the spark trap, which knocks them around and causes them to lose heat.

2. Why do I need a Raptor Shield?

If there’s a danger that a spark could travel through your ductwork and ignite combustible dust or other materials, a spark trap may be an important part of your fire prevention system. If you need to know whether the Raptor Shield will work for your application, contact us and we’ll help you find out.

3. What size Raptor shield do I need?

This depends on the size of your ductwork. Our standard sizes are 6 inches to 40 inches but larger ones are available.

4. How do I connect the Raptor Shield to my ductwork?

To make it easy to install your Raptor Shield, you can choose from three end types- a raw end, a flanged end, and a quick connect end for clamping. Larger models can be heavy and may need hangers or other support.

5. Where in the ductwork does the Raptor Shield go?

A Raptor Shield can be installed vertically or horizontally. For proper functioning of the Raptor Shield, the length of duct between the spark source and the spark trap should be at least one duct diameter, and between the spark trap and the dust collector should be at least ten times the duct diameter. A shorter distance will prevent the Raptor Shield from working correctly and is not recommended. If you have a question about the length of ductwork, we suggest that you contact us for assistance.

6. How does the Raptor Shield stop sparks?

The Raptor Shield is a passive fire protection device. Sparks enter the Raptor Shield and are slowed down by turbulence. The spark slows down and loses its heat

7. What kind of maintenance does the Raptor Shield need?

Our Raptor Shield comes with a drop-down cleanout door that removes easily. This allows you to clean out debris and dust. There are no moving parts that need to be maintained.

8. Can the Raptor Shield be used for high temperature applications?

If the temperature of air going through the Raptor Shield will be higher than 200 degrees F, please contact us with details. There are options for higher temperature applications.

9. Does the Raptor Shield work for every application?

There are some applications where spark traps will not be able to function properly. They do not usually work well for applications with wood chips or sawdust or applications with sticky or fibrous material. We can help you determine whether a Raptor Shield will work in your system.

10. Is the Raptor Shield guaranteed to stop all sparks ?

No spark trap is guaranteed to stop all sparks. A flat spark arrestor screen is one of the least effective methods of reducing sparks. Our design is as effective as a spark arrestor can be. The Spark Trap is an important part of a fire prevention system, but it should not be the only part. Our model meets all NFPA standards. We will take the time to help you decide what equipment will best meet your needs.

Can the Raptor Drum be used with other dust collectors?

Yes, the Raptor Drum can be used with any dust collector designed to have a drum underneath it.

Can this be retrofitted to existing collectors?

Yes, the Raptor Drum can be used to replace other non-NFPA compliant drums, airlocks and flex hose under new and existing machines.

What is included as part of the Raptor Drum?

It includes a slide gate, sliding coupler, drum lid with handles, drum lid clamp, bonding wire, drum, and drum dolly.

What discharge sizes are available?

10”, 12”, 14”, 16” and 18” discharges are available

What is the maximum KST the Raptor Drum can handle?

The Raptor Drum can be used on any ST-1 Class dusts up to 185 KST.

Are there any handles on the drum?

The standard kit does not come with handles on the drum, but a custom drum may be available upon request.

1. Do I need to have a burst sensor installed on the VL or VD explosion panels?

Yes, in order to be NFPA compliant all devices shall be equipped with an indicating sensor that shall notify the user upon activation of the device. (NFPA68 6.9.6).

2. Do I need intrinsically safe wiring for the inductive or magnetic burst sensor?

No, you only need the inductive burst sensor; however, if you choose to purchase the breakable burst sensor, you will also need the required intrinsically safe control box P/N 56001-010000.

3. How do I wire the inductive burst sensor to my control panel?

The inductive burst sensor has 3 wires. The brown wire lands in any 24V+ terminal, the blue wire lands in any 0V- terminal, and the black wire is a signal wire. Refer to page 10 of the Explosion Vent Panel manual.

4. How do I wire the magnetic burst sensor to my control panel?

The magnetic burst sensor has 2 wires. The brown wire lands in any 24V+ terminal, and the blue wire lands in any 0V- terminal. Refer to page 12 of the Explosion Vent Panel manual.

5. How do I know which type of panel to use for my application?

It will depend on the vacuum pressure of your system. Refer to Table 1 of the Explosion Vent Panel manual for Max. Negative Pressure (vacuum pressure) for each type of explosion vent panel offered.

1. Can I install the dust level sensor after the Vigiflap has already been installed?

Yes, use access door on top of the Vigiflap to install interior mounting flange of the dust level sensor. Refer to page 14 of the VigiFlap manual.

2. How do I know if I have a CP05 or CP04 control panel?

Every control panel has a sticker on the door indicating the model. If sticker is missing or damaged, an easy way of telling the difference is : CP05s have a gray enclosure with a printed decal on the front and CP04s have a red enclosure.

3. How do I wire the dust level sensor to the control panel?

Connect the brown wire to terminal 4.1 on the intrinsic relay barrier. Connect the blue wire to terminal 4.3 on the intrinsic relay barrier. Refer to page 15 of the VigiFlap manual.

4. How do I wire the proximity sensor to the control panel?

The brown wire will land in the “24V+” terminal, the black wire will land in the “1” terminal, and the blue wire will land in the “0V” terminal. Refer to page 15 of the VigiFlap manual.

5. What is the installation depth of the dust level sensor in the VigiFlap?

It is recommended to have 32mm/1.25in from the bottom surface of the exterior mounting flange to the bottom of the sensor for proper functionality. Refer to page 14 of the VigiFlap manual.

1. Do I need to have a burst sensor on the Vigiflam flameless explosion vent?

Yes, in order to be NFPA compliant all devices shall be equipped with an indicating sensor that shall notify the user upon activation of the device. (NFPA68 6.9.6).

2. Do I need intrinsically safe wiring for the inductive burst sensor?

No, you only need the inductive burst sensor; however, if you choose to purchase the breakable burst sensor, you will also need the required intrinsically safe control box P/N 56001-010000.

3. How do I wire the inductive burst sensor to my control panel?

The inductive burst sensor has 3 wires. The brown wire lands in any 24V+ terminal, the blue wire lands in any 0V- terminal, and the black wire is a signal wire. Refer to page 13 of the Flameless Explosion Vent manual.

1. How do I connect the circular flange on the rotary valve to my squared hopper?

Boss Products offers two sizes of a square to round adapter (transition) for both the HT250 and HT350:

• HT250: Ø10” to 8” x 8” (P/N: 46701-992600)
• HT250: Ø10” to 10” x 10” (P/N: 46701-992700)
• HT350: Ø14” to 12” x 12” (P/N: 46701-993600)
• HT350: Ø14” to 14” x 14” (P/N: 46701-993700)

2. I received the rotary valve but there is a rubber piece covering the top and bottom flanges?

We ship all rotary valves with a standard SBR Rubber gasket to protect both the rotary valve and personnel during shipping and handling while also providing a quality seal during installation. Installer must remove perforated center faces of the rubber gaskets before installation.

3. How do I decide which gearmotor to choose with my rotary valve?

The gearmotor should have the correct voltage/phase/Hz and should be suitable for the location where it will be installed. They come in 15 and 30 RPM. Boss Products will recommend the best option based on the application and dust characteristics.

4. What kind of gear oil (lubricant) should I use in my gearmotor and how often should I replace it?

Any gear oil with viscosity class ISO VG 220. Gear oil must be replaced every 10,000 working hours or every 2 years, whichever comes first. In extreme operating conditions such as high humidity, aggressive environment and/or large change in temperature, it is recommended to shorten the intervals.

1. Can I install the dust level sensor after the NRVC/M has already been installed?

Yes, use access door on top of the NRVC/M to install interior mounting flange of the dust level sensor. Refer to page 15 of the NRVC/M manual.

2. How far away from the dust collector can the NRVC/M be installed?

Depends on the size of the NRVC/M. Refer to page 5 table of the NRVC/M manual for min. and max. distances for all sizes of NRVs offered.

3. Can the counterweight arm be installed on either side of the NRVC/M?

No, you cannot install the counterweight on either side of the valve.

4. Can there be elbows between the NRVC/M and the dust collector?

This is different between the NRV Combo and NRV Metal. There can be one (1) elbow between the NRVC and the dust collector. There can be two (2) elbows between the NRVM and the dust collector.

5. How do I wire the dust level sensor to the CP05 control panel?

Connect the brown wire to terminal 4.1 on the intrinsic relay barrier. Connect the blue wire to terminal 4.3 on the intrinsic relay barrier. Refer to page 16 of the NRVC/M manual.

6. How do I wire the microswitch to the CP05 control panel?

The black wire will land in the “24V+” terminal and the gray wire will land in the “1” terminal. Disregard all other wires from microswitch. Refer to page 16 of the NRVC/M manual.

7. What is the installation depth of the dust level sensor in the NRVC/M?

It is recommended to have 32mm from the bottom surface of the exterior mounting flange to the bottom of the sensor for proper functionality. Refer to page 15 of the NRVC/M manual.

1. Can I install the dust level sensor after the NRV has already been installed?

Yes, use access door on top of the NRV to install interior mounting flange of the dust level sensor. Refer to page 15 of the NRV manual.

2. How far away from the dust collector can the NRV be installed?

Depends on the size of the NRV. Refer to page 5 table of the NRV manual for min. and max. distances for all sizes of NRVs offered.

3. Can the counterweight arm be installed on either side of the NRV?

Yes, for the valves with a single flap you can install the counterweight arm on either side.

4. How do I know if I have a CP04 or CP05 control panel?

Every control panel has a sticker on the door indicating the model. If sticker is missing or damaged, an easy way of telling the difference is : CP04 is red and CP05 is grey and both have a plastic enclosure.

5. How do I wire the dust level sensor to the control panel?

Connect the brown wire to terminal 4.1 on the intrinsic relay barrier. Connect the blue wire to terminal 4.3 on the intrinsic relay barrier. Refer to page 19 of the NRV manual.

6. How do I wire the microswitch to the control panel?

The black wire will land in the “24V+” terminal and the gray wire will land in the “1” terminal. Disregard all other wires from microswitch. Refer to page 19 of the NRV manual.

7. What is the installation depth of the dust level sensor in the NRV?

It is recommended to have 32mm from the bottom surface of the exterior mounting flange to the bottom of the sensor for proper functionality. Refer to page 15 of the NRV manual.