With the spill of millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, the world became aware of the consequences that safety shortfalls in the offshore industry would have on the environment, people, and property.
Since then, the international response has been to further rely upon standards to improve safety and technical integrity. More than ever, offshore and chemical companies are looking for one harmonized standard to provide greater consistency of safe practices worldwide.
One such standard generally accepted as the industry safety standard is the European Union’s ATEX Directive 94/9/EC. This standard stipulates that organizations must protect employees from explosion risk in explosive atmospheres such as chemical manufacturing plants and oil rigs.
Responding to the demand for equipment certified to the ATEX Directive, Klinge Corporation will be launching its new Group II, Category 2 explosion-proof refrigerated container in summer 2012.
This container, Model PFR-581 Z1, is undergoing testing at a leading certification body. The system offers a high level of protection in dangerous operating conditions or areas with frequently occurring disturbances.
Group II equipment is intended for use in places likely to become endangered by explosive atmospheres. Category 2 equipment is designed for areas in which explosive atmospheres are likely to occur.
The PFR-581 Z1 is suitable for Zone 1 hazardous locations (areas in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation) in accordance with EN 60079-10.
Klinge’s ATEX Directive Group I, Category 1 refrigeration equipment is mounted to a DNV 2.7.1/EN 12079-certified ISO container. The DNV container is designed to comply with the most stringent offshore regulations to ensure safety of personnel working on oil rigs or in chemical manufacturing plants, as well as safety of the environment.
The company also offers Model PFR-571 Z2, an explosion-proof refrigerated container that provides sufficient protection during normal operation. The PFR-571 Z2 is suitable for Zone 2 hazardous locations in accordance with EN 60079-10.
The ATEX Directive Group II, Category 2 refrigeration equipment is also available with a DNV 2.7.1/EN 12079-certified ISO container.
For more information, visit www.klingecorp.com.
