Design and installation of equipment in hazardous areas
Industries such as oil and gas, oil refineries, chemical plants, LNG plants, and mineral processing facilities are prone to explosive environments, which significantly raise the risk of ignition.
Hazardous areas are designated when an environment contains flammable particles that can potentially cause disruption or explosions at any moment, often due to temperature irregularities or faulty systems. Within the electrical industry, hazardous areas can arise from the presence of combustible elements in the surrounding environment. The industry’s inherent risks stem from the perilous environment and the potential for flames caused by faulty systems.
Cases of explosives in a hazardous area
On May 9, 2006, a devastating explosion occurred at an explosives plant in Gladstone, South Australia, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives and injuries to two others. The impact of the explosion was severe, causing widespread destruction throughout the plant and leveling almost everything within a 100-meter radius. The magnitude of the explosion was so significant that it could be witnessed up to 70 kilometers away.
Regrettably, the industry responsible for the plant failed to uphold proper maintenance practices and neglected the installation of necessary safety measures to prevent combustion within the area.
Similarly, on June 3, 2008, another explosion took place at the 30-centimeter gas pipeline of Apache Energy’s Varanus Island gas processing facility. The explosion resulted in the rupture of the pipeline and the subsequent outbreak of fires around 1:30 pm. This incident occurred due to a combination of insufficient maintenance practices and the presence of an unreliable anti-corrosion coating and cathodic safety scheme on the pipeline. The explosion had a significant impact on Varanus Island in Australia.
Importance of designing and installing equipment to prevent combustion in hazardous areas
In hazardous areas where explosive substances are present, it is imperative to establish and maintain effective explosion protection techniques while avoiding the installation of faulty instrumentation or systems. Machinery types should undergo thorough inspection and be designed to ensure adherence to safety measures, thus mitigating the risk of explosions caused by equipment interactions within the environment.
Operating and functioning in volatile environments necessitates compliance with established standards, encompassing the creation, evaluation, and inspection of electrical equipment. It is crucial not only to install and test secure systems but also to carefully select equipment and develop comprehensive construction designs for electrical installations in unsafe environments.
Preventing damage within high-risk zones requires the implementation of explosion prevention technology, adherence to standards for dangerous environments, utilization of protective controls, appropriate equipment selection, and implementation of testing methods. Additionally, considering design criteria and ensuring proper earthing conditions are vital aspects of maintaining safety and preventing incidents in hazardous areas.
Hazardous Area training provided by PMV in Australia to design and install equipment
PMV provides a professional development course for electricians, electrical engineers, and instrument technicians who have a keen interest in developing their skills of designing, installing, maintaining, and inspecting equipment to prevent hazards in the industry.
The course provides the opportunity of installation and inspection of equipment, classification of hazardous area, standards of processing in a hazardous area, breakdown and maintenance of equipment, and testing procedures for protective equipment.
Hazardous Areas Design And Planning
The course includes:
- UEENEEE015B Develop Design Briefs For Electrotechnology Projects or equivalent
- UEENEEM054A Plan Electrical Installations in Hazardous Areas — Gas Atmospheres
- UEENEEM055A Plan Electrical Installations in Hazardous Areas — Dust Atmospheres
- UEENEEM056A Plan electrical installations for hazardous areas — pressurisation
- UEENEEM057A Design Explosion-Protected Electrical Systems and Installations — Gas Atmospheres
- UEENEEM058A Design Explosion-Protected Electrical Systems and Installations — Dust Atmospheres
- UEENEEM059A Design explosion-protected electrical systems and installations — pressurisation
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