• • • HAZARDOUS AREA EQUIPMENT • • •
including its internal and external components, are fit for purpose and installed correctly. Manufacturers spend thousands of pounds designing and testing equipment intended for explosive areas, and typically the end-user will pay a premium for these products. So, if your installer compromises the manufacturer’s design, this invalidates the equipment and creates a potentially dangerous installation.
As an example, they might discard cable gland internals and decide that the simplest way to hang an Ex-rated light fitting is to drill through the casing to mount it, or they might drill and tap the lid of an Ex-rated enclosure to fit an identification label. Also, assuming the issue is identified, there will be a significant financial cost to re-establish compliance. This is so often the case when an end- user takes delivery of, for example, a packaged skid assembly which has been manufactured off-site at a supplier’s premises. In such circumstances, Ex- related issues are only found during the completions, inspections and commissioning process. The consequence will be delays to commissioning and potentially start-up, alongside unplanned additional financial costs. Installer competency is often a key issue, as it is common for suppliers and installers to hire workers for ad-hoc projects. Keeping a core team of trades people as full-time employees is not always financially viable, which makes the assurance of installer competency a difficult area to manage. However, the problem can be more systemic, and looking at the bigger picture the questions might be – did the supplier fully understand what they were asked to build and to what standard? Were the specifications and design documents supplied by the end-user or designer adequate?
Did they cover the required legislative areas correctly and suitably? Were the appropriate standards referenced? At this point in a project disputes and frustrations are common, which can lead to further delays and cost – all of which can be avoided.
Employing competent, impartial and independent Ex inspectors to inspect installations and carry out detail inspections prior to initial use, or in the case of the suppliers, prior to shipping, is a key element to detecting and rectifying problems early.
Engaging a competent inspector to monitor the build, offer advice and potentially mentor as the installation progresses is an area that is often overlooked. However, by doing so there is significant potential to minimise or eliminate the need of rework after inspection.
Another area that is commonly discounted is the use of an independent and impartial specialist to review the technical documentation and project deliverables with respect to the installation of Ex electrical and non-electrical equipment. Design reviews, alongside build monitoring and inspection during the whole life cycle of the project, will ensure both compliance and quality are achieved first time and on time. Ensuring that the supplier or installer knows exactly what they are tasked with delivering is key to ensuring the safe and successful delivery of new Ex installations. Specifying the scope and required level of competency is therefore vital, alongside the involvement of competent people in the design, procurement and installation in order to help to mitigate Ex compliance issues.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • MAY 2023 27
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50
