Most combustible solids burn more rapidly when they are divided into smaller pieces. As an example, a log split into kindling burns faster than a solid log. Wood dust dispersed in air burns even faster than wood kindling. 

If a suspended cloud of wood dust is ignited in a confined environment it can create a dust explosion and cause extensive damage. The damage caused by dust explosions can be catastrophic; similar to damage that occurs in more commonly known fuel gas explosions.  Dust clouds ignited in an open environment typically create dust fireballs rather than explosions, without significant pressure damage.

Dust explosions have occurred throughout the world for centuries. One of the first documented dust explosions occurred in a flour warehouse in Turin in 1785. The first National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for the prevention of dust explosions were created in the1920’s. Despite this significant history of dust explosions, recent studies by the U.S Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) and others indicate that many industries, and inspectors from government regulatory agencies are unaware of the hazards of dust explosions and standards for the prevention of dust explosions.