FEATURE HAZARDOUS AREA EQUIPMENT KEEPING THINGS SHIPSHAPE
The Crouse-Hinds division of Eaton has supplied a variety of explosion protected electrical equipment for a new modernised fire fighting boat equipped with the very latest high performance technology
Below: Eaton has supplied
explosion-protected electrical equipment and lighting for Europe’s latest high-tech fire fighting boat
OUTDOOR LIGHTING The requirements for explosion-proof lighting in outdoor areas are governed by European ATEX standards for Zone 1 and by the requirements for use on a watercraft. Therefore, all lighting must be protected to at least IP65, in order to withstand the constant exposure to moisture and splash water. In addition, the lighting needs to be robust and insensitive to the shock and vibration that occurs when the boat is operating. LED driven lighting is particularly suitable for such harsh conditions, as they are shock resistant and, unlike incandescent or high pressure discharge lamps, LED lights have no filament or glass bulb. Other advantages of this LED lighting technology are its high light output (lumen) but low energy consumption, as well as its direct switch-on capability without requiring a start-up/warm-up phase. For the illumination of walkways and
he Mannheimer Fire Department’s Metropolregion firefighting boat is approved for driving on tanker ports 23m long and up to 40kmh. On the boat, mixed teams made up of the Mannheim and Ludwigshafen fire brigades and the BASF plant’s fire brigade, can be called into action to protect a very wide area of the Rhine, from Germersheim to Worms, and from the Neckar all the way to the Neckargmünd lock.
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LATEST TECHNOLOGY As well as being equipped with the very latest ship technology such as dual jet propulsion, bow thruster, radar, combination steering gear and surveillance technology, the Metropolregion also has three high performance fire service pumps, a foam mixer extinguisher, a bow monitor foam water cannon, a rear view monitor hollow and spray nozzle, and 2- off 7-part hose connections for delivering water to landside-based firefighters. Power is supplied by two MAN V12 1,100hp Common Rail diesel engines with permanent preheating in order to ensure there are no engine start-up delays. There are a number of harsh conditions onboard which the electrical equipment must be able to cope with. These include the release of chemicals, flammables and explosive substances or oil spills. With the constant risk of an explosive atmosphere, the safety of the crew and fire fighting teams must be respected at all times. Therefore, the boat’s design and operation
12 OCTOBER 2014 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
is consistently based on a comprehensive explosion protection concept. The core concept is based on the pressurisation of interior spaces on the boat, which draws fresh air from an aspiration port located 5.5 metres above the water surface level. The equipment room in the bow of the boat is designed as a lock. A gas detection system, which comprises of four sensors mounted at different heights, detects the presence of an explosive atmosphere and automatically switches to explosion-proof equipment. This means that equipment that is not explosion protected is turned off in the equipment room and in outdoor areas and only the ATEX 94/9/EC certified electrical equipment and lighting for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas are in operation. The electrical equipment consists of two
CEAG wall sockets/outlets, which are located on external areas of the boat. These enable the flexible connection of explosion protected electrical equipment such as pumps and searchlights. Lighting of the equipment compartment in the lock area comprises of two CEAG 2x58W Zone 1 fluorescent light fittings, which are controlled by two explosion-proof changeover switches.
Above: the equipment room in the bow of the boat is designed as a lock. A gas detection system, which comprises of four sensors mounted at different heights, detects the presence of an explosive atmosphere and automatically switches to explosion-proof equipment
firewater port batteries on the boat, tubular explosion-proof LED machine lamps are provided. Approved for use in Zone 1, 2, 21 and 22 hazardous areas, and protected to temperature class T5 and IP68, these lamps are well suited for this type of harsh application. In addition, the lamps have a very compact enclosure that can be installed even in the most confined spaces. Therefore, the two 18W lamps are used for both illuminating the hose connections located in front of the batteries, as well as for the running gear. Glare and weather protection is provided by a protective roof located below the handrail. The 6W LED lights, which are positioned to illuminate the walkways along the side of the boat, are integrated into the bulwark, enabling the deck to be illuminated without glare. For illumination of work areas on the fore and aft deck for the two foam/water cannons and the three loading cranes, explosion-proof LPL LED spotlights with 150W power rating are installed. These spotlights are highly protected to IP66, have a light output equivalent to that of a 250W high pressure discharge lamp, and can also be used at ambient temperatures from -35°C to 40°C. The lights are approved for use in Zone 1, 2, 21 and 22 hazardous areas and so at all times, even when an explosive atmosphere is present, are able to safely illuminate the work areas for the fire crews.
Eaton
www.eaton.uk.com T: 08700 545 333
Enter 208 / ELECTRICALENGINEERING
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