Risk Reduction in Ex Environments
Published on : Monday 01-07-2024
Reliable pump monitoring keeps management out of prison, says Matthias Garbsch.
Monitoring pumps in industrial processes is far more than just a protective measure for the pump unit. In addition to preventive maintenance and the acquisition of operating data, ignition source monitoring has become much more important in recent years − especially in Ex environments. A precise risk assessment is crucial to prevent explosions. Because only reliable pump monitoring ensures smooth processes and thereby efficiency in the company.
Safety experts from TÜV know the scenario: pumps without sufficient stability can quickly overheat. This heat can lead to an explosion with devastating damage to production. The company may be liable for a portion of the damage if the liability insurance company can prove that the company was negligent. In other words, pump units that are not secured represent a high economic risk. Furthermore, responsible management is committing a criminal offense if it does not comply with the legal requirements. Or in a nutshell: safe pump monitoring keeps management out of prison!
Confusing jungle of standards and regulations
Only a few manufacturers cover the entire safety chain for measurement and control technology with their products and solutions.
However, safety in the production process is a top priority for companies. This is why numerous standards and regulations that need to be interlinked are in place.
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They all require consistent application, such as the Industrial Safety Regulation and TRGS 725 (Technical Guideline for Hazardous Substances).
What sounds simple and logical at first glance becomes complex as soon as you enter the jungle of standards, directives, regulations, technical rules, and manufacturer recommendations that must be observed when monitoring ignition sources.
The relevant standards for this topic are IEC/EN 60079-xx on explosion protection, DIN EN 50495 (Safety devices required for the safe functioning of equipment with respect to explosion risks), and DIN EN 14597 (Temperature control devices and temperature limiters for heat generating systems). Standard DIN EN 14597 always includes a complete measuring, control, and limiter system consisting of sensor, logic, and actuators. For example, the following considerations are certified for the individual components:
- Response behaviour of the sensor technology
- Reactions (modes of operation) of the evaluation electronics, and
- Reliability / operating life of the actuators.
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Additionally, the IEC/EN 61508, EN/ISO 13849, EN/IEC 62061, EN/IEC 61511, TRGS 725, and possibly other product-specific standards apply in the area of functional safety.
In the past, electrical explosion protection traditionally played a major role in safety precautions, but in recent years the focus has increasingly shifted to mechanical components as a potential source of ignition. Users need to understand this background, assess it carefully, and incorporate it into their decision-making processes. The correct application of the Ex identification marking as well as the evaluation of SIL (Safety Integrity Level) and PL (Performance Level) pose particular challenges here.
Security yes – headaches no
Machine and system designers who have already come into contact with the topic of ‘functional safety’ must have already realised the complexity and diversity of the subject.
The responsibility for the risk of damage borne by operators and planners of protective equipment is immense. They have to acquire safe components and are faced with a huge mountain of figures and formulas. In the end, they still do not know whether everything has been calculated correctly.
JUMO Safety Performance shows that this process can be easier. All JUMO products and services relating to SIL and PL can be found under this brand name. JUMO Safety Performance has been offering a certified compact system for functional safety according to SIL and PL for years.
JUMO guarantees standard and legally-compliant safety. In short: it is a complete safety system consisting of sensor, logic, and relay output for operating the
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actuator from a single source.
Matthias Garbsch is Market Segment Manager, Explosion Protection & Functional Safety, JUMO, Fulda, Germany. He has many years of experience in functional safety, and expertise and comprehensive knowledge of the dos and don'ts of pump and ignition source monitoring.
Indian companies score big at British Safety Council International Safety Awards 2024
The highest-ever number of organisations from India once again received a highly prized accolade for their work in health, safety, and wellbeing this year. British Safety Council recognised 313 Indian companies as winners of its prestigious annual International Safety Awards for 2024, at a gala celebratory dinner held recently at The Leela in Mumbai.
Of the winners, 64 Indian organisations were awarded a Distinction, 143 organisations were awarded a Merit, and 106 organisations achieved a Pass. The number of successful entries from India this year was higher than in 2023, when 205 awards were given out to Indian companies. The winners span numerous sectors with significant representation from the construction, manufacturing, oil, gas and mining, and power and utility sector.
Now in their 64th year, the International Safety Awards recognise and celebrate organisations from around the world that have demonstrated to the satisfaction of the scheme’s independent judges their commitment to preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill health during the previous calendar year. The awards also acknowledge organisations that have shown commitment to wellbeing and mental health at work.
Overall, in 2024, a record 1124 organisations won an International Safety Award, from a total of 1251 applications. The winners were drawn from 49 countries worldwide. 269 organisations were awarded a Distinction, 456 organisations were awarded a Merit and 399 organisations achieved a Pass.
Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said “The British Safety Council applauds all successful organisations on their achievement. Our International Safety Awards recognise the highest achievements of organisations around the world in health, safety and wellbeing. This year, I am thrilled that another record number of organisations have attained that level and won an award.”
The vision of British Safety Council is that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work – anywhere in the world. Achieving this requires more than complying with legislation; it means people committed not only to health and safety but also more and more to workplace wellbeing and impelling others to follow suit, he added.
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