Flange Guards / Safety Shields
NEW
Safety Shields to reduce the size of zoned hazardous areas
In reviewing their complience to the ATEX137 / DSEAR regulations, a growing number of process sites are now using our
safety shields to demonstrate that they are "reducing risk". In doing so, they are often able to reduce the size of the zoned
hazardous area. The latter can obviously result in considerable cost savings.
We can assist. Our unique experience allows us to:-
· Review process details and make recomendations
· Perform site survey for shielding requirements
· Offer product demonstrations / samples
· Provide references
Contact us now to discuss any applications you may have.
Telephone 01268 526161 or click here to send an email.
Our range of Safety Shields are designed to prevent hazardous spray-outs from leaking pipe joints and fittings.They are widely
used in many industries including Oil & Gas, Chemical, Power, Shipping & Water & Waste to name but a few.
The most common application is for flange protection however, we are able to supply shields for almost any pipe jointor fitting
including:-
· Couplings · Valves of all kinds
· Unions · Expansion Joints
· Elbows · Flow Meters
· Tees · Hose Couplings
· Clamps · Heat Exchangers
· Pumps · Pressure Vessels
· Instruments
· Customised connections
All safety shields have an overlap design. The shields wrap round the pipe connections completely to preventa lateral
spray out. During installation, they are held in place by means of a velcro fastener. No tools are required,
Each shield has a pair of tie-down cords. After it has been positioned over the joint and held firmly by its velcro fastener,
the cords are drawn tightly around the pipe and secured with a square knot. Use of a square knot is essential.
Another common feature of the Spra-Gard is the sensitive pH patch or indicator that is incorporated in each shield. Should
the slightest amount of leaking fluid come in contact with the patch, it undergoes colour change immediatelysignalling
trouble in the line. Orange in colour, the indicator turns brilliant red with an acid leak and bright green with analkali. While
the affected patch can be no longer used, it can be removed and replaced with another after the shield has been neutralised.
The shield is then ready for reuse.
Safety Shields can be divided into three groups:-
· Spra-Gard Shields
· Econo-Gard Shields
· Metal Safety Shields
Each group, in turn, contain shields that are manufactured from different materials. Each type can be fabricated
in any size toaccommodate the pipe system. While this selection is sufficient to handle virtually all applications,
special safety shields can be customised on request.
One major difference among the wide variety of safety shields is temperature resistance. Up to 140°F Econo-Gards
are recommended, whereas TFE Spra-Gards resist temperatures up to 450°F. Beyond this, metal shields are required,
demonstrating heat resistance as high as 2650°F.
1. Spra-Gard safety shields
These are most frequently specified because of their wide range of physical characteristics. They are fabricated in
three proprietary textiles:-
· Teflon (tetrafluoroethylene or TFE) coated fibreglass.
· ECTFE
· Polypropylene (PPL)
The two woven cloths, TFE and PPL, are made of slightly porous textiles - to
prevent a spray outs but sufficient to allow fluid to seep through to the indicating
patch in the event of a leak.
All Spra-Gards have been subjected to ultraviolet (UV) testing and have performed
without degradation for approximately 500 hours. Material is considered
acceptable if it withstands 200 hours of exposure without degradation - equivalent
to four to five years of outdoor exposure in the tropics and even longer in a
temperate zone.
Other critical features of the Spra-Gard are their ability to resist ignition and flame
propagation.
TFE Spra-Gard:
The unique properties of the TFE shield contributes to their high performance.
They demonstrate resistance up to 450°F and 1650 psi and are inert to a wide
spectrum of commercial chemicals. These shields show outstanding protection
against corrosion. Because of these characteristics, TFE shields are
recommended for applications in which corrosive chemicals are used including
lines carrying sulphuric acid. It can resist this acid at any concentration,
including fuming petroleum.
Vue-gard Spray-Gard:
This transparent shield permits easy identifiaction and inspection of all pipe joints or indeed sight flow indicators.
It is constructed on TFE coated fibreglass that is orange in colour for high visibility and a wide centre band of clear
film (ECTFE). This unique viewing shield withstands up to 300°F and 1000psi. It demosntrates a broard specrum
of chemical resistance, especially to most corrosive chemicals and organic solvents.
PPL Spra-Gard:
The PPL shield was developed for use with hydrofluoric acid. While being "application specific" it is versatile, being
capable of 225°F and 1100psi - though it's chemical tolerance is greatly affected by concentraction. Eg, at Sufuric
acid of 30% or less, the PPL shield are recommended up to line temperatures of 200°F. However, with 93% or 98%
conectrations it's use is limited to systems with ambient temperature.
2. Econo-Gard Safety Shields
The Econo-Guard was developed to provide an economical alternative.
It's economic features have not been achieved at the expense of safety.
The modest price of the shield is possible because it's fabrication
utilises non-labour intensive heat sealing methods. Econo-Gards are
available in two thermoplastic materials:-
· Polyethylene (PE)
· Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Econo-Gard may be used for limited applications. They are suitable for
tempertures up to 140°F and in the presence of certain chemicals, such
as concentrated acids, only at lower temperatures. The shields are a three
ply lamination with an inner core of non-woven spun cloth interfaced
between two sheets of PE or PVC film. Econo-Guards are suitable for
installations in chemical processing industries with less hazardous
chemicals at low temperatures and pressures.Food processing and waste
water treatment facilities are typical applications.
3. Metal Safety Shields
Three metals are used:-
· Galvanized Steel
· 304 Stainless Steel
· 316 Stainless Steel
Suitable for flanges and valve in all size systems
carrying steam, solvents, chemicals and corrosive
agents - appropriate for high pressure and temperature
applications. The shields slip over existing pipe
installations easily and quickly, secured using
screwdriver.
Please contact us, should you require further information such as:-
·Chemical resistance information for each shield
·A free site survey
·Pricing Information
·A demonstration
·A free sample
If you can supply basic joint type and pipe size details (eg 150lb flange, 2" pipe), we can provide a quotation
by return. However, if you are not sure of the flange ratings, please click to download our survey guide document.
Epsilon is a specialist and accredited DSEAR and ATEX implementation company who have conducted major
projects in hazardous area classification and zone reduction for companies such as Rolls Royce, Total-Elf,
Conoco-Phillips, BMW, Scottish Power the MOD. We have used Allison spray shields wherever we have had
potential flammable mist spray issues to dramatically reduce or remove hazardous classified zones, we selected
the ALLISON GUARDS due to the suitability of their physical construction and range of sizes.
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