HEALH & SAFETY
EXPLOSION SAFETY
REMBE
THE IMPORTANCE OF TAMPER PROTECTION IN REGARDS
OF PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS AND SAFETY DEVICES
The safety characteristics of the products
(for example, the KSt value or Pmax) and
the plant-specific marginal conditions
(volume/design strength) may influence the
selection of the proper safety device. This is
common knowledge that the public is well
aware of. Additionally, more and more plant
engineers and operators are placing a key
emphasis on a proper certification and the
marking of safety devices as well as system
components.
A largely ignored aspect is the tamper
protection of protective systems and safety
devices. In the recent past, REMBE engineers
have been increasingly detecting evidence
of such grievances during on-site plant
inspections:
Protective systems were disabled, electronic
signalling and warning devices bypassed,
and mechanical elements secured with an
insufficient number of connecting elements
and screws. The reasons for this are complex
and surely not easy to fathom.
The safety devices of well-known
manufacturers such as REMBE are therefore
designed in such a manner, that a high
degree of manipulation-proof safety is
already provided through the design. For
example, screw connections are replaced
by permanent riveted joints, screws are
designed self-locking and undetachable.
This is especially essential for complex
components such as flameless venting
devices. Those are mostly used indoors,
but always in locations where a relief into
the surroundings, for example through
explosion vents, is not acceptable. However,
if the arresting device of those flameless
venting devices fails or is not properly
fixed, this has devastating effects on the
immediate environment, which would then
be unprotected against the flames and
pressure of the explosion.
“This is precisely why the Q-Rohr, the
original flameless venting device from
REMBE, is riveted and not bolted. Screws
can become loose, or they can be loosened
easily. With a rivet, both described scenarios
become very unlikely.”, says Stefan Penno,
Managing Director of REMBE GmbH. “The
trend towards the use of signals and sensors,
and thus the utilization of as many electrical
and as few as possible mechanical safety
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PECM Issue 36
devices, is slowly but surely reversing. This
is solely and exclusively attributable to the
reliability degree of high-quality mechanical
systems, which can never be fully
guaranteed with electronic components.”,
says Mr. Penno further.
And the Q-Rohr wouldn’t be a REMBE
product if it didn’t offer even more features:
Hence, the pressure-bearing elements are
flexibly interconnected, which enables them
to absorb the explosion pressure wave.
“During our daily work, we’ve already seen
many imitations of flameless venting devices
which were rigidly welded, and therefore
tore open at the welding seams when the
pressure relief occurred.”, explains Mr. Penno
and adds: “Just compare it with the wings
on an airplane. If they were rigidly welded
to the fuselage, they would break off in case
of turbulence. But since they are flexibly
riveted, they can absorb pressure shocks and
withstand extreme loads very easy.”
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