Back
14.
December
2016.
Platforms that cause explosions
SHOREHAM, UK | December 2016
Platforms that cause explosions
Pyroban® is reminding businesses of the importance of protecting plant equipment such as access platforms, scissor lifts, spider lifts or boom lifts before any use in potentially explosive areas. Whether equipment is on site temporarily or permanently, suitable safety measures should be in place.In companies with a Zone 2 hazardous area, where a release of flammable gas or vapour is possible, Category 3G explosion protection is typically required to reduce the risk of ignition and potential explosion. However, Pyroban reports that the need for explosion protected equipment used on a short term basis for maintenance is sometimes overlooked.
“Sometimes neither plant hire companies nor equipment users are aware that an explosion proof access platform or scissor lift is an option available to them,” says Matthew Shirkie, Global Sales Manager at Pyroban. “However, a wide range of lift solutions, including access platforms, scissor lifts, spider lifts and boom lifts, can be easily converted to comply with ATEX 2014/34/EU, helping to ensure safe operation in potentially hazardous areas.”
For equipment used in Zone 2 environments, Pyroban convert a wide range of diesel or electric lift equipment via system6000™. The explosion protection conversion includes gas detection to continuously monitor the direct environment around protected equipment and automatically shut it down where necessary, eliminating the risk of an explosion. In some cases, this includes a gas sensing head at floor level and at the operator’s platform level. Other explosion protection features of system6000 include restricted breathing enclosures and surface temperature monitoring to prevent any components exceeding the auto-ignition temperatures of flammable materials.
Suitable for both diesel and electric equipment, system6000 can be used with most types and brands of plant equipment. With a choice of either a pellistor or infrared based gas detection system, conversions can ensure that access platforms and lift equipment are suitable for use in a variety of different applications.
In areas near to Zone 2 environments, which, although deemed ‘safe’ can still carry a risk of ignition, some businesses also like to use a gas detection and shutdown system. Gascheka duo™ from Pyroban ensures that in the event of gas or vapour release and subsequent detection, an audible and visual warning alerts the equipment operator and if necessary, the system safely shuts off the equipment.
This system can be fitted to any brand of equipment simply and locally within a matter of hours. It can also be transferred to other units in the fleet as needed. This can be useful both for those that own their equipment, and for plant hire businesses who can move the Gascheka duo system between units in line with customer requirements.
“We have previously delivered conversions for plant hire companies and found that by offering equipment such as explosion proof access platforms in their fleet, they were able to benefit from new business opportunities,” explains Matthew.
Matthew concludes “While some companies are very safety conscious when it comes to explosion protection, it is easy to overlook the risks of using equipment like access platforms and scissor lifts in Zone 2 areas, especially when this equipment may be used infrequently. We want to remind companies that explosion protection must be a consideration for all types of equipment used in potentially explosive environments.”
For further information, visit www.pyroban.com or email info@pyroban.com.
ENDS – 545 WORDS