Episode #18
Combustible Dust Housekeeping: Real Lessons From 15 Years in Manufacturing - with Darrell Cloudt
What can more than 15 years and over 1,000 industrial dust control fan installations teach you about combustible dust housekeeping? In this episode of the OnAire Podcast, Jordan and Taylor sit down with Darrell Cloudt of Energy Solutions of Texas, one of the most experienced SonicAire installers in the world. From wood products and plastics to grain processing and food manufacturing, Darrell has seen firsthand what works, what doesn't, and what manufacturers often overlook. They discuss why overhead dust is usually worse than plant teams expect, why pre-cleaning is critical to long-term success, and how communication between contractors and facility teams can make or break an installation. Darrell also shares stories from challenging projects, including towering grain facilities, hazardous Class II Division 1 environments, and facilities where preventive maintenance made the difference between reliable performance and costly downtime. Whether you're a plant engineer, maintenance manager, operations leader, or EH&S professional, this conversation is full of practical advice you can apply in your facility today. In this episode: • Why combustible dust is often hiding where no one is looking • The importance of pre-cleaning before installing a dust control system • Common installation mistakes and how to avoid them • Why preventive maintenance protects your investment • Lessons learned from more than 1,000 industrial fan installations • How facilities improve housekeeping without increasing labor Featured Quote: "It's a lot worse than you think it is. Every time you do a startup, they realize you were right." Learn more about SonicAire's engineered dust control solutions: https://www.sonicaire.com
