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Safety Don’t Pay the Price for Skimping on Safety
Despite several recent high-profile industrial accidents, industrial safety breaches remain all too
common.Trevor Dunger and Stuart Nunns of ABB (UK) explain how choosing the right safety instrumentation can deliver long-term security and lower life-time cost.
There are several good reasons why it pays not to skimp when selecting specialised instrumentation and control equipment for safety applications.
Because safety systems typically kick in only when there is a problem, it’s possible for a transmitter or other safety loop component to malfunction undetected. Safeguarding against this demands good quality, extensively tested equipment, with redundancy levels and self-diagnostic capabilities that far outstrip those required for non-critical
systems.Secondly, safety is a niche application which doesn't benefit from the same economies of scale as the mass- market in standard controls.
Companies should look for instruments and systems offering optimum lifetime security and cost-effectiveness.
First, consider the parameters defining overall safety loop effectiveness. The most well-known of these is the required Safety Integrity Level (SIL), as defined by IEC 61508. Generally speaking, it’s best to design process risks out before installing specialised systems to control them. This will often reduce the required SIL and the cost of any associated safety systems.
Next is the average probability of failure on demand (PFD), which varies depending on the required SIL as well as the frequency with which a safety instrumented system will be used.
Other relevant factors affecting whether an individual instrument is suitable for a particular SIL are the safe failure fraction (SFF) and the hardware fault tolerance (HFT).
Another key factor is the systematic capability, encompassing the design and engineering of the element itself and the integration of elements to form the safety system.
A final factor is the quality of documentation available from the equipment supplier and their ability to show their equipment is “proven in use”. Opting for higher integrity equipment really can save money in the long term.
Firstly, safety systems do not need testing as often to check they are still working properly, especially if they can demonstrate a higher HFT and a lower frequency of dangerous undetected failures.
The second area for savings is insurance. Some insurers now insist on compliance with particular safety integrity levels before they will agree to provide cover.
The biggest savings come from preventing accidents occurring. Add to this the protection of personnel and the surrounding community and the case for excellence in safety systems is compelling, whatever the state of the economy.
Reader Reply Card No 25 Gas Detector Awarded CE Mark Certification
Detcon’s (USA) Model DM-100 low power gas detector recently received CE Mark certification to ensure compliance with European Union health and safety requirements. The durable, high performance gas detector underwent stringent conformity assessment testing by third-party agency Professional Testing Incorporated and is now approved for use in Europe and other countries that require the CE Mark.
The Model DM-100 is two-wire loop powered with display and uses electrochemical sensor technology to monitor a wide range of toxic gases. The device features electronics that are fully encapsulated in an electro-polished 316 stainless steel housing and a newly designed lower housing that has been upgraded from plastic to stainless steel. Plug-in field replaceable sensor cells are fitted with large surface area gold-plated pins that help reduce the effects of corrosion in harsh industrial environments.
Model 100 sensors provide a linear 4-20mA signal and feature intelligent electronics and comprehensive fault diagnostics. The device is extremely simple and affordably priced, and can be customised with additional accessories that include wireless communications, a loop-powered digital display, Remote Alarm Module (RAM), HART, and a Modbus RS-485 interface.
Reader Reply Card No 27
IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS
MSA’s ALTAIR 4X and ALTAIR 5X are equipped with XCell sensor technology to provide increased performance, fast response time & reduced cost of ownership.
PERFORMANCE BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE
MSA XCell Sensors have a typical life of more than double the industry average, and are engineered using MSA’s pro prietary application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design.
By miniaturizing the sensors’ controlling electronics and placing them inside the sensor itself, MSA XCell Sensors offer superior stability under extreme environmental conditions, accuracy and repeatability.
In addition to MSA XCell Sensors, the ALTAIR 5X Multigas Detector can also be equipped with our wide variety of IR sensors covering many gases and ranges including CO2.
+ DRIVEN BY
INNOVATIVE SAFETY FEATURES: MotionAlert, InstantAlert alarm & end-of-sensor life indicator
Reader Reply Card No 26
Gas Detection Service Recognised as “Health & Safety Initiative of the Year”
Industrial Scientific (USA) is pleased to announce that it’s Gas Detection as a Service solution, known as iNet, was recognised as “Health & Safety Initiative of the Year” at the Gulf Coast Oil & Gas Awards. The awards event was held last evening in Houston, TX.
The “Health & Safety Initiative of the Year” award recognises specific initiatives or products that have significantly reduced the risks to workers and/or members of the community in the Gulf Coast region.
iNet helps keep workers safer by providing visibility into gas detector alarms, exposure and usage. This software-based service solves common challenges faced in gas detection programs related to maintaining reliable equipment, and ensuring proper usage of instruments in the field.
“There are more than 90,000 gas detectors in more than 20 countries across a wide range of industries operating on iNet today,” said Justin McElhattan, Industrial Scientific’s president and CEO. “We are proud that in the U.S., iNet protects workers at companies representing almost half of all daily oil production.”
The Oil & Gas Awards recognise the achievements made within the upstream and midstream sectors of the oil & gas industry. Last evening’s event in the Gulf Coast was the third of seven regional Oil & Gas Awards events to take place this year.
MSA EUROPE Phone: +49 (0)30 6886-0 E-mail:
contact@msa-europe.com
www.MSAsafety.com Reader Reply Card No 28 Reader Reply Card No 29
Intelligent Carbon Dioxide Industrial Gas Detectors
The new Sierra Monitor (USA) Intelligent Carbon Dioxide Gas Detectors utilise IR sensor technology to provide the user with more than just another CO2 gas sensor.
This network-enabled gas detector includes: Extended calibration frequencies only requiring calibration every 12 months, greatly reducing calibration costs; Non-intrusive, one-person calibration for easy calibration; User-friendly, 8-character, fixed and scrolling LED display for ease of set-up with understandable menus; Network- enabled with a choice or combination of outputs: 4-20 mA, Serial RS-485 Modbus RTU interface, HART Communication, SentryBus interface, Optional 5-amp integral relays; Infrared technology to accurately monitor Carbon Dioxide in the 0-5000 ppm range and; Cast aluminium or 316 Stainless Steel enclosures for hazardous area.
APRIL / MAY 2013 •
WWW.PETRO-ONLINE.COM
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