Flame arresters and tank fittings inspection services

14 April 2010

Elmac Technologies has launched a range of inspection services specifically tailored to flame arresters and low pressure venting equipment. The Elmac inspection service is primarily aimed at companies who either lack the resources to carry out their own maintenance, or who have a narrow time-frame in which to carry it out and are looking to out-source that aspect of the work.

Flame arresters and tank fittings inspection services

The provision of this new service is in direct response to customer demand. With many plant operators down-sizing their maintenance crews, manpower, knowledge, and skills gaps have been created which site managers are finding difficult to fill.
"Flame arresters and other tank fittings are essential safety items which, if not inspected regularly, can become blocked or jammed, leading to a situation whereby they cease to perform their basic safety function", said Elmac Technologies’ managing director Dr Martyn Cooling. "It is essential that these items be incorporated into regular maintenance schedules, yet we find that operators are extending the time periods between inspections or they do not have people with the necessary skills to carry them out".
United Kingdom Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidelines for flame arrester maintenance HS(G)158 states: "It is essential that flame arresters are well maintained. They should be covered by a programme of regular inspection and maintenance. Records should be kept for the specification of each arrester, its location and its inspection maintenance history."
"Our engineers are able to identify potential safety hazards when on a site", continued Dr Cooling, "and after an informal visit, customers frequently ask us to perform full site surveys to assess their explosion protection and venting requirements. We can provide a full written assessment along with a list of recommendations which operators can act upon."
Elmac are currently able to offer their inspection services to any site or facility in the United Kingdom (excluding off-shore facilities), and can co-ordinate with site operators to ensure minimum disruption to plant operations.