What are Spray Safety Shields?
Spray safety shields, are installed on pipe joints, these being the ‘weak points’ where leaks typically occur. For critical pressurised applications, they are the vital first line of defence to prevent fire, explosion and toxic release which would otherwise endanger plant and personnel.
Prevent Spray-outs - Generally the most important requirement is to control the leak, create a safe release and thus avoid a dangerous spray-out, which would otherwise happen even at low pressure.
Avoid oil mist formation - For certain oil & fuel applications, oil mist formation is just as hazardous as a spray-out. Furthermore, ill-fitting safety shields can actually create mist formation.
Provide leak indication - It is important to identify leaks as quickly as possible, though the process will determine the urgency. For certain acid lines, some customers require that flanges must not be concealed. This is achieved using transparent shielding. Alternatively leak-indicator patches can be used. For other process liquids, leaks will be self-evident.
Contain leaks - Whilst standard safety shield designs generally do not provide secondary containment (indeed there should be a leak path to avoid pressure build-up), we can offer special designs incorporating drain nipples and a system to channel liquid releases.
Where to use them
Shields needn’t be installed site wide. Consideration of the process, the risk of leakage and its impact on the local area should be considered.
Oil lines near hot surfaces - Do you need to install shielding for all oil lines, or only those in close proximity to hot surfaces?
Acid lines near personnel or walkways - Is there a risk of injury through spray-out? Do you need immediate leak indication and identification of acids?
Reducing zoned hazardous areas - Promoters use the argument that safety shields around pipe fittings reduce the size of the local zoned area.
Concentration, temperature & pressure - Whilst we would suggest all hazardous process lines are shielded, perhaps the first priority should be those above a certain concentration, pressure or temperature.
Working at height - Pipelines at height can be as dangerous as any other. But once again, the logistics of gaining access might mean that first priority goes to pipework up to head height.
Why do I need them and what drives the requirements?
Drivers - Throughout process industries, focus on safety of personnel and assets is growing dramatically. Whether it be corporate policy for ‘zero accidents’, industrial insurance, industry-specific regulation, or general best practice, safety shields are increasingly being used to control pipeline leaks.
Insurance requirement - The cost of site fires, explosions and personal injury is significant. Industrial insurers now focus specifically on spray-out and oil mist prevention, and often insist on safety shielding.
Company policy & best practice - To reach the goal of ‘zero accidents’, many companies create and insist upon safety policies and requirements that often include safety shielding.
Recent incident or near-miss - Very often, site incidents or near-misses will necessitate a safety review, at which time safety shields are considered as corrective or preventative action.
Hazardous area zoning (ATEX) - Companies use safety shields as part of their case to reduce zoned areas.
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