Keeping track of ATEX equipment

IN THE ZONE

HAZARDOUS AREAS • KEEPING TRACK OF ATEX-CERTIFIED EQUIPMENT IS A LABORIOUS TASK. BOULTING HAS USED ITS EXPERIENCE IN THE BUSINESS TO COME UP WITH A USABLE TOOL

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS PROVIDER Boulting Ltd has launched a new cloudbased inspection software that will enable plant engineers to ensure control equipment in hazardous areas is compliant with the latest technical standard, EN 60079:17.

Boulting has worked in collaboration with an ATEX certifying body to design and implement the secure, paperless, cloudbased system for maintenance procedures in hazardous areas.

The user-friendly app provides clear visibility of hazardous area inspections and incorporates radio frequency identity (RFID) tags that make it easy to recall information for each device, including snags and equipment failures. The system integrates documents required to form an Explosive Protection Document (EPD) for an unlimited number of items, including all area classification documents, risk assessments, equipment certificates and details of all equipment requiring inspection, frequency of inspection and associated drawings. All this information is stored securely in the cloud, with client read-only access available.

By going paperless and installing the software on a tablet, engineers are able to navigate vital documents with ease. In addition, the software can help identify trends in any faults that may be common to a specific manufacturer or model. It is suitable for use in Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22.

CLOUD-BASED SYSTEMS CAN NOW HELP MAINTENANCE MEET THE STANDARD When working in hazardous environments, which feature flammable gases, vapours or dust, the facility and all the equipment within it must meet EN 60079, which sets clear guidelines around zone classification, electrical installation and equipment protection in explosive atmospheres.

“As greater demand is placed on industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and energy, manufacturing is inevitably put under more strain, meaning processes can often become more complex,” says Josh Groarke, deputy managing director at Boulting Ltd. “At Boulting we are continuously looking to develop new ways of supporting our clients that go beyond the traditional delivery of a project. The ATEX Hazardous Area Inspection software is one example of us using both our knowledge base and engineering skills to improve overall project delivery.

“Boulting provides a full suite of services, from design and installation right through to the inspection of electrical equipment and instrumentation. The health and safety of not only our staff but also that of the client is at the heart of everything we do, as proven by our 24th consecutive gold Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) award, which we achieved in September last year.”

Boulting is a multi-disciplined engineering solutions provider, operating in a diverse range of industry sectors in the UK and internationally. Boulting provides a wide scope of project services from project management, design, fabrication and installation to commissioning and ongoing maintenance services and has strong inhouse resources in all the major engineering construction disciplines. HCB www.boulting.co.uk