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All about Explosion Proof Machinery. An important requirement for industries.

Disastrous explosions occur due to electrostatic discharges, friction heat, sparks, laser radiation, chemical reactions etc. Explosion Proof Forklifts are specially manufactured for industries where even a small spark from a motor, overheated brake or heated exhaust can lead to disastrous fires and explosions.

How does it work?

These forklifts isolate sparking components like motors, alternators, switches, exhaust system, lights, information display systems and controllers, and also maintain a safe surface temperature to ensure that the components remain below auto-ignition temperatures of flammable materials.

Which are the industries that can benefit from Explosion Proof Forklifts?

These specialized forklifts are used in highly flammable Dust, Gas and mixed Gas environments like Chemical manufacturing, Oil and Gas industries, Food companies (Airborne particles of flour are susceptible to explode, given the right conditions), LPG filling stations, CNG Filling stations, Refineries and LPG/CNG/Petrol bulk storage yards.

Hazardous area zones and equipment categories

Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere.

Gases, vapours and mists

For gases, vapours and mists the zone classifications are:

Zone 0 - Where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.

Zone 1 - Where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Zone 2 -  Where an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Dusts

For dusts the zone classifications are:

Zone 20                A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.

Zone 21                A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Zone 22                A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Notes:1. Layers, deposits and heaps of combustible dust must be considered as any other source which can form an explosive atmosphere. 2. "Normal operation" means the situation when installations are used within their design parameters.

Equipment categories and zones

The hazardous area zone classification and corresponding equipment categories are:

Zone 0 or zone 20 - category 1 equipment

Zone 1 or zone 21 - category 2 equipment

Zone 2 or zone 22 - category 3 equipment

Notes

Category 1 equipment can also be used in zones 1 and 21 and category 1 and 2 equipment can be used in zones 2 and 22.

Gases, vapours and mists

Flammable and combustible liquids are liquids that can burn. They are classified, or grouped, as either flammable or combustible by their flashpoints. Generally speaking, flammable liquids catch fire and burn easily at normal working temperatures. Combustible liquids have the ability to burn at temperatures that are usually above working temperatures.

There are several specific technical criteria and test methods for identifying flammable and combustible liquids. Under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 1988, flammable liquids have a flashpoint below 37.8°C (100°F). Combustible liquids have a flashpoint at or above 37.8°C (100°F) and below 93.3°C (200°F).

Flammable and combustible liquids are present in almost every workplace. Fuels and many common products like solvents, thinners, cleaners, adhesives, paints, waxes and polishes may be flammable or combustible liquids. Everyone who works with these liquids must be aware of their hazards and how to work safely with them.

At normal room temperatures, flammable liquids can give off enough vapour to form burnable mixtures with air. As a result, they can be a serious fire hazard. Flammable liquid fires burn very fast. They also give off a lot of heat and often clouds of thick, black, toxic smoke.

Combustible liquids at temperatures above their flashpoint also release enough vapour to form burnable mixtures with air. Hot combustible liquids can be as serious a fire hazard as flammable liquids.

Spray mists of flammable and combustible liquids in air may burn at any temperature if an ignition source is present. The vapours of flammable and combustible liquids are usually invisible. They can be hard to detect unless special instruments are used.

Most flammable and combustible liquids flow easily. A small spill can cover a large area of workbench or floor. Burning liquids can flow under doors, down stairs and even into neighbouring buildings, spreading fire widely. Materials like wood, cardboard and cloth can easily absorb flammable and combustible liquids. Even after a spill has been cleaned up, a dangerous amount of liquid could still remain in surrounding materials or clothing, giving off hazardous vapours.

Combustible Dust

Essentially, a combustible dust is any fine material that has the ability to catch fire and explode when mixed with air. Combustible dusts can be from most solid organic materials (such as sugar, flour, grain, wood, etc. ), many metals, and some nonmetallic inorganic materials.

Some of these materials are not "normally" combustible, but can burn or explode if the particles are the right size and in the right concentration.

Advantages of employing Explosion Proof forklifts

There are various advantages of using explosion proof machines. They include good Health and Safety practices, adherence to local laws, reduced liabilities, savings on litigation costs and savings on insurance costs. Hala Equipment Trading imports a range of Explosion Proof Forklifts including the 2 to 3.5 Ton Diesel version and the 1 to 3.5 Ton battery driven version. Heli Forklifts maintain safe surface temperatures and use alternate materials on their forklifts. Special machine and environment devices protect the components and isolation is achieved though effective sealing.

www.halaheavy.com