Dust Hazard Analysis
Hixson performs combustible dust hazard analysis aligned with NFPA 652 and NFPA 654, helping pharmaceutical teams identify ignition sources, dust accumulation risks, deflagration hazards, and practical mitigation priorities.
Protect people, products, and operations with Hixson’s pharmaceutical dust hazard compliance services. Our integrated architecture and engineering teams help cGMP manufacturers identify combustible dust risks, align with NFPA and OSHA expectations, and implement practical facility, process, ventilation, and explosion protection solutions that support safe production without compromising quality or regulatory readiness.

Integrated engineering and compliance support for combustible dust risks in pharmaceutical and cGMP manufacturing environments.
Hixson performs combustible dust hazard analysis aligned with NFPA 652 and NFPA 654, helping pharmaceutical teams identify ignition sources, dust accumulation risks, deflagration hazards, and practical mitigation priorities.
Engineering teams design and specify explosion venting, suppression, isolation, dust collection, and material handling safeguards that reduce combustible dust risk while supporting process continuity and cGMP facility requirements.
Hixson integrates combustible dust, hazardous materials, environmental permitting, OSHA workplace safety, and process safety considerations into facility design so compliance is addressed early instead of retrofitted later.
Process Safety Management and hazard analysis services include HAZOP, LOPA, PHA, What-If/Checklist studies, OSHA 1910.119 program support, and risk evaluations for dusts, flammables, and hazardous materials.
Hixson’s pharma and biotech design teams coordinate dust compliance with controlled environments, HVAC, pressurization, clean utilities, finishes, material flow, and documentation supporting validation and regulatory expectations.
Process and manufacturing engineers develop layouts, P&IDs, equipment specifications, utility requirements, and startup support for powder handling systems, helping translate compliance findings into buildable engineering solutions.

Hixson begins by reviewing pharmaceutical powders, handling steps, equipment, room classifications, dust collection systems, and operating practices to understand where combustible dust hazards may exist across the facility.
Hixson supports leading manufacturers with complex facility, safety, compliance, and engineering challenges across North America.
Hixson brings integrated engineering depth to complex pharmaceutical dust compliance challenges.
Founded in 1948, Hixson brings decades of specialized facility engineering experience.
Twenty in-house technical disciplines coordinate dust compliance, process design, and facility systems.
Teams understand pharmaceutical environments, validation expectations, controlled spaces, and regulatory design implications.
Specialized hazard analysis helps clients reduce operational, safety, and capital project risks.
Experienced leaders guide complex compliance and facility projects.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering
John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering
As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

Manager, Process Engineering
Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

Manager, Civil Engineering
In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services
Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

Manager, Mechanical Engineering
Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

Manager, Electrical Engineering
Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

Director of Architecture
Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.
Pharmaceutical dust hazard compliance services help manufacturers identify, evaluate, and control combustible dust risks created by powders, APIs, excipients, blending, milling, drying, conveying, and packaging operations. Services typically include dust hazard analysis, NFPA and OSHA compliance review, explosion protection design, dust collection assessment, hazardous area considerations, and engineering recommendations that can be integrated into cGMP facilities.
Talk with Hixson’s engineering team about your facility risks.
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Recognized in core industry sectors.
Share your facility, process, or compliance challenge with Hixson. Our team can help evaluate dust hazards, identify next steps, and coordinate engineering solutions that support safety, compliance, and cGMP performance.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.