经过ROBERT ZUIDERVELD
鉴于炼油和燃料储存行业中发生的几次高度公开的爆炸和大火（蒸气泄漏之后是点火的结果），您可以如何改进安全措施，以防止在热工作许可证或机密区域内的移动设备在机构的边缘下运行造成另一场灾难？炼油厂和类似能源行业的政府受到严格的监管，必须确保将任何爆炸风险最小化。在美国，炼油厂必须遵守法规和法规，以在爆炸性危险区域使用动力工业设备。但是，由于代码解释和爆炸性危险区域的评级差异，尚未建立同等规定和工人保护水平。这意味着今天，许多炼油厂的工人仍然处于危险之中。
要开始大火或爆炸，必须将三个成分聚集在一起：氧化剂（空气），危险（气或蒸气）和点火源。尽管您无法消除氧化剂，但可以计划过程并保护设备以限制危险接触点火源的机会。但是，在控制移动设备方面，负责现场操作的人有时会缺乏经验，现场纪律和预算，以实施对移动设备运动的安全和可接受的控制。
To begin, make sure to use the equipment designed and certified to operate safely in those areas. If an area is classified as Class 1-, Division 1-, or Zone 1-certified, then use only equipment certified to EX Class 1, Division 1, or Zone 1 codes and regulations in those areas. For Division 2 or Zone 2 hazardous areas, test and certify equipment according to the codes and regulations applicable to equipment in those areas.
坚持认为，只有1级，区域1-区域2-分区或2区认证的设备才能在炼油厂运营，这既不是实际也不理想的。同样的事情适用于人员载体，拖拉机，油轮，移动压缩机和不允许正式分类的Gen-stet，而不必首先使人完全防爆。在这些情况下，大多数炼油厂都依靠热工作许可和风险管理流程。通常，那些发行工作许可证的人具有相关的经验和权力来管理手头任务所涉及的风险。
When you use diesel-powered equipment, it is common to insist that an engine over-speed air shutdown valve and an exhaust spark arrestor are installed. Provided these components are correctly fitted and serviced, they should alleviate some of the many ignition sources found on a forklift truck, crane, tanker, compressor, or gen-set.
Besides working under a hot work permit, the operator usually carries a handheld gas detector. But who or what procedure ensures that the gas detector has been specifically calibrated against the gases and vapors that could potentially be released into the operating area? Does the gas detector always remain with the equipment and its operator throughout the permit process, or does the operator stray away from the equipment? A handheld gas detector relies on an operator to “kill” the equipment before the equipment ignites the explosive atmosphere that has developed unexpectedly. Unfortunately, most accidents are caused by human failure or response time.
You could rely on fixed gas detection systems’ monitoring, but it is necessary to ensure that sufficient gas detector points cover all areas where mobile equipment is operating. If you do not, the hazard and ignition source may combine before you can take appropriate action.
一些公司用专用的气体探测器将设备及其点火源响起，这些气体探测器可能会在检测到易燃气体或蒸气时自动关闭Gen-stet或压缩机。但是，如果设备是可移动的，例如起重机或货车，则该工艺变得相当不切实际。另外，您如何防止在安全之前自动关闭的设备重新启动？
Relying on engine over-speed valves, fixed gas detectors, and handheld gas detectors has been the traditional reactive protection methods of yesterday, but with today’s powered industrial equipment relying on sophisticated electronics, the use of over-speed valves and the limitations of relying on handheld gas detectors being held by workers is not the way to improve facility safety.
使用积极的气体探测技术的限制worker risks and allows the operator the flexibility he needs to perform his job safely and efficiently by ensuring the following:
- 操作的设备具有自己的积分气体检测系统，只有在设备周围的直接区域没有易燃气体或蒸气时，设备才能运行。
- 该设备执行强制自动气体测试，以确保在操作开始之前对其进行正确校准。
- 操作的设备具有自己的积分气体检测系统，当在设备周围区域中检测到易燃气体或蒸气的意外增加时，会自动关闭设备。
- If shutdown occurs, any restart is controlled by a person in charge of facility safety.
- 安装保护系统易于安装，使用和维护，最重要的是，旨在将大多数点火源与爆炸性氛围隔离开来。
Even though this technology has been available, the safety culture and corporate mind-set need adjustment. With the right mind-set, some investments, minor equipment modifications, and fine-tuning of the site process and permit schemes, significant progress in equipment and employee safety can be made.
ROBERT ZUIDERVELDis the general manager of business development for Pyroban. He has an associate’s degree in economics and two bachelor’s degrees in marketing and public relations and business.
