It’s a fact of life – accidents happen. Despite the best will in the world, things go wrong, and when this happens in a hazardous environment, the results can be devastating. To minimise risk, product selection and regular maintenance are vitally important, explains Phil Chilton:

From the Buncefield fuel depot fire in December 2005, the UK’s largest-ever peacetime blaze, which created an explosion heard from the Netherlands; to Solvent Resource Management in Rye where 340 tonnes of flammable chemicals were spilt when a corroded tank collapsed in 2009; to the Chevron oil refinery blast in Milford Haven – accidents happen. The serious impact of accidents shows that the utmost care must be taken across the whole facility, from maintenance procedures through to product selection, to avoid a potential tragedy.

Safety first

The classification of hazardous areas is complex and if you specify product for these areas, it’s vital to make sure you’re up to date with the latest regulations for a given environment. Check carefully that the equipment you’re specifying is approved for the installation you have in mind. Oil and gas installations, chemical works, petrochemical plants, aircraft hangars, fuel servicing areas and other environments all have specific hazards, and all possible circumstances for that environment should be considered.

For explosive environments, it is essential to understand the levels of approval required for equipment. Types of risk are rated (whether dust or gas), as is the duration of the risk expressed in terms of hours per year. Obvious though it may seem, it is essential to ensure that all aspects of the product’s use are considered and the correct product is selected for the job.

Focus on heating

Specification of heating equipment for hazardous areas has to be very precise; safety considerations are paramount. It’s also important for hazardous areas that routine maintenance is correctly carried out – this is where electric heating appliances have the edge, as maintenance requirements are very much lower and less complicated than appliances running on other fuels.

For peace of mind, select heating equipment from a well-known manufacturer. It may cost more than anonymous imported products, but you have the reassurance that the company has invested in extensive testing, safety guarantees and research and development to ensure the equipment complies with current standards and legislation.

When specifying, look for ATEX approval for use in hazardous zones 1 and 2. An IP rating of IP44 or above is essential to protect from ingress by solids or liquids that could impair performance. Look also for a fully sealed unit so that any heating element has no contact with the ambient surroundings, eliminating the risk of spark ignition.

The right kit, used right

Minimising risk in the work environment is about picking the right type of energy source or heater after fully considering how the equipment will be used, and the risk to our surroundings of doing so. When you’re specifying for hazardous areas, for peace of mind choose a well-known name. A properly specified and maintained piece of equipment could save lives.