Inspection of Existing Equipment in Hazardous Areas

Part of the DSEAR regulations is to conduct an inspection of the existing equipment in hazardous areas, to confirm that it has been designed, constructed, installed, maintained and operated in such a way as to minimise the risk of an explosion. This typically occurs once the site has been classified.

This can be achieved by following our recommended procedure:

• Inspect and list all the equipment in hazardous zones
• Review maintenance records to highlight any problems
• Conduct ignition hazard assessments of non-electrical equipment
• Assess electrical equipment with respect to its certification
• Record the findings in a report
• Implement any corrective action arising

The inspection should record the equipment reference, the hazardous area zone in which it is situated and its certification. It should highlight any areas of concern and propose appropriate corrective action.

There are 2 types of Inspection:

Initial – It is necessary to check that the selected type of protection is appropriate for the hazardous area installation.

Periodic – This is routine inspection and applies to existing installations. It is used to monitor the effects of deterioration or change. The intervals between periodic inspections should not exceed three years.

Furthermore, there are 3 grades of Inspection: Visual, Close and Detailed

Visual and close inspections do not require any equipment to be isolated, or any enclosures opened. A visual and close inspection may lead to the need for a detailed inspection.

Practicalities

A strategy of ‘close’ inspection, supported by an element of ‘detailed’ inspection provides best value for money.

The best approach is to:

• Gather data of all the apparatus inspected and manage it within a computerised management programme.
• Obtain copies of product certificates and check that any special requirements for safe use are being maintained.
• Make the inspection ‘visual’ on the equipment, perhaps by using a ‘tag’.
• Analyse the data and feed it back into safety, maintenance and project functions.
• Ensure that any repairs are carried out on time, and by competent individuals. It is only by completing the repairs that the full value of the inspection will be achieved.

The Results

A well-managed inspection process will enable you to ensure that only the correct equipment is used in the relevant zones, and that all equipment is performing correctly, without the need for any repair. Appropriate corrective action can only be taken if an inspection programme is implemented, analysed and acted upon.

Sira Services

Sira can independently inspect and verify your installations to the relevant international standards, or guide you through the inspection process by either training or project managing your in-house DSEAR team to conduct the work (in both Gas and Dust applications), equipping them with the knowledge to continually monitor inspection and risk assessment records.

For a formal, fixed price quotation, please contact Sira.