Inspections, Documentation and Remediation
Gases, Vapours & Mists: All hazardous area equipment for use in flammable gas, vapour or mist environments must be installed in accordance with AS/NZS 60019.14.
INSPECTION
Gases, Vapours & Mists: All hazardous area equipment for used in flammable gas, vapour and mist environments is to be inspected in accordance with AS/NZS 60079.17, the superseding standard.
Combustible Dusts: All hazardous area equipment for use in combustible dust environments must be inspected in accordance with AS/NZS 60079.17.
Ex INSPECTION RECORDS
We can use your inspection records or ours – which are spreadsheet based and can be imported into a database or be formatted to use a spreadsheet Ex Register.
If an Ex Register has not already been compiled, it is best practice to compile one with what information exists before performing the inspection. Missing items can be added during the inspection.
This will generate a punch list – featuring all items for attention. This items will be prioritised as follows:
- A: Fix immediately
- B: Fix within 7 days
- C: Fix within 30 days
- D: Fix at next maintenance opportunity.
STAFF TRAINING
During installations, it is usual for a number of systemic errors to creep into the installation.
It is better to find these problems at an early stage of installation.
This can be achieved by having BLEP begin the installation inspection within a few days of the installation beginning, rather than at the end of the installation.
We would prefer to assist staff to produce compliant installations rather than publish extensive punch lists.
SOLUTIONS – NOT PROBLEMS
INSPECTION FREQUENCY
While the maximum inspection frequency quoted by AS/NZS 60079.17 is 4 years, it is not recommended that such a great inspection interval be adopted.
Where corrosion is an issue (either from the process or due to the proximity to the ocean) a period of 1 year is recommended.
In practice, periods should be set for all other place to 18 to 24 months at a maximum, particularly in harsh environments such as hot, remote areas subject to continual action of UV radiation and combustible dust environments
REVIEW OF CLASSIFICATIONS
Over time, hazardous area classifications and philosophies evolve.
Some classifications are simply Area Classifications with no further consideration to Source of Release plume analysis.
Some large classifications are this way for a purpose, but some are simply inefficient.
Also, changes to plant equipment or operating conditions/processes may require the current classification to be reviewed.
This service is available.
DOCUMENTATION
Clients can elect to use their checklists at all times. However, BLEP has prepared a suite of forms which can save time and costs which are integrated into a single spreadsheet. See below:
Ex REGISTER
A standard spreadsheet format has been developed for this which can be adapted to client requirements and is integrated with Inspection Checklists and Punch lists.
INSPECTION CHECK LISTS
Inspection checklists are based on AS/NZS 60079.17 examples and requirements, with additional items required by the product standards. These are in spreadsheet format and can be printed to form part of a hard copy Hazardous Area Verification Dossier (HAVD).
VERIFICATION DOSSIER (also known as a Hazardous Area Verification Dossier or HAVD)
A WORD document template which satisfies the requirements for a Verification Dossier. This is based on the new AS/NZS60079.14 requirements. While the client may use their own dossier format, this format is tried and tested and will provide a quick solution to any Verification Dossier deficiencies.
Whilst this White paper by Bill Rankin Electrical Engineer / Senior Electrical Inspector was written in 2007 in reality the only thing that has changed is ASNZS 2381 series of standards have been superseded by ASNZS 60079 series