How safe are heat transfer systems?
11 Jun 2010
London – The Health & Safety Executive is apparently preparing to go on the warpath over the safety of heat transfer systems operating in the process industries. The thermal fluid used in these units can pose a serious fire and explosion risk, especially if the oil falls short of the required specification and/or is not regularly monitored to ensure it is in good condition.
The seriousness of the issue was tragically underlined earlier this year at Egger Timber Products’ plant in Brilon, Germany. Three workers were killed in a boiler explosion, which occurred in a biomass combined heat and power station at the chipboard factory on 5 Feb.
There have also been a number of recent incidents involving heat transfer systems in the UK, with the HSE believed to have served at least one company, a food manufacturer, with a prohibition notice.
Avoiding the dangers requires regular testing to monitor the condition of the fluid and – as thermal fluid system components are usually defined as Zone 2 under the ATEX Directive – assessments to identify the risks as well as any required measures including employee training.
It seems, however, that many UK process companies are waiting for a visit from the HSE’s inspectors, or a serious accident, before adopting these relatively basic safety practices.
