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Dangerous
Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations in the UK? Do you design,
install or are you responsible for the running of industrial/commercial gas
plant? Are you aware
of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations in the UK? Did you know
these regulations are retrospective from July 2003 for gas plant operators? In general,
the public perception of natural gas is that it is a safe and reliable
product to use for heating premises. Very few will realise how widely it is
used in commerce and industry, primarily because they rarely hear of an
incident or explosion caused by gas. Nevertheless the risk of an incident
will always be present to a greater or lesser extent. It has always been the
responsibility for all non domestic gas users to understand the ways in which
gas is used on their premises and to have carried out a risk assessment in
order that any operational hazards can be identified, controlled and/or
removed. This requirement is now part of UK legislation known as the
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) resulting
from a European Directive known as ATEX (See HSE website) This
directive provides an integrated regime for the design, selection, testing
and use of equipment in hazardous areas, and for the prevention of explosions.
There are, as
you would expect, many clauses within this directive but two essential
considerations are mentioned below Any
escape and/or release, whether or not intentional, of flammable gases,
vapours, mists or combustible dusts which may give rise to explosion hazards
must be suitably diverted or removed to a safe place or, if that is not
practicable, safely contained or rendered safe by some other method.
"Potential
ignition sources such as ..., high surface temperatures, ..must not occur"
This presents
a problem where surface temperatures could ignite the fuel (above 450 0C for
natural gas) Furnaces, gas engines and turbines are examples of appliances
that have high temperatures components as part of their design. With new
plant the responsibility rests on the final supplier to ensure that an
appropriate level of information is provided to the installer and end user so
that, in the first instance, the equipment is safely installed and, in
relation to the end user, safely operated and maintained. This information must
ensure that a sound basis for safety is available for incorporation into a
risk assessment to be carried out by the end user. With existing
plant the user must carry out his own risk assessment and any risks
identified MUST be dealt with by 2006 and in all cases the
designer/installer/end user is required to show that whatever means is
adopted to comply with the DSEAR it is justified by risk assessment. It is
only by performing the Risk Assessment, that it can be determined whether or
not Certified electrical equipment [normally Zone 2] or other safety
precautions are needed. Are gas systems safe?
In dealing
with the directive within the UK it has been accepted that part of the “risk”
associated with gas pipework and plant is pressure related. Over the history
of the gas industry, low-pressure gas installations have not created any
major problems and the application of Certified [Zone 2] components has
rarely been applied in the great majority of installations. The
Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) are preparing risk
assessments to cover a general case for plant operating below 100 mbar,
operating in well ventilated areas. Individual plant would still need a risk
assessment, but a generic assessment may be sufficient in many cases. The compliance
with Codes of Practice and procedures are taken as a means of controlling
risks. Global Energy
Associates
are able to offer specific services for carrying our DSEAR surveys for Gases, dust or chemical explosive atmospheres
and for the provision of risk assessment reports with SIL assessments for new and existing plant, where required. GEA can
provide site surveys and reports covering:
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