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Safety Information
Safe operation of these products can only be guaranteed if
they are properly installed, commissioned, used and maintained
by qualified personnel (see Section 1.11) in compliance with
the operating instructions. General installation and safety
instructions for pipeline and plant construction, as well as the
proper use of tools and safety equipment must also be complied
with.
1.1 Intended use
Referring to the Installation and Maintenance Instructions,
name-plate and Technical Information Sheet, check that the
product is suitable for the intended use / application.
i) The products have been specifically designed for use on
steam, air or water/condensate. The products’ use on other
fluids may be possible but, if this is contemplated, Spirax
Sarco should be contacted to confirm the suitability of the
product for the application being considered.
ii) Check material suitability, pressure and temperature and
their maximum and minimum values. If the maximum
operating limits of the product are lower than those of the
system in which it is being fitted, or if malfunction of the
product could result in a dangerous overpressure or
overtemperature occurrence, ensure a safety device is
included in the system to prevent such over-limit situations.
iii) Determine the correct installation situation and direction
of fluid flow.
iv) Spirax Sarco products are not intended to withstand external
stresses that may be induced by any system to which they
are fitted. It is the responsibility of the installer to consider
these stresses and take adequate precautions to minimise
them.
v) Remove protection covers from all connections and
protective film from all name-plates, where appropriate,
before installation on steam or other high temperature
applications.
1.2 Access
Ensure safe access and if necessary a safe working platform
(suitably guarded) before attempting to work on the product.
Arrange suitable lifting gear if required.
1.3 Lighting
Ensure adequate lighting, particularly where detailed or intricate
work is required.
1.4 Hazardous liquids or gases in the pipeline
Consider what is in the pipeline or what may have been in the
pipeline at some previous time. Consider: flammable materials,
substances hazardous to health, extremes of temperature.
1.5 Hazardous environment around the product
Consider: explosion risk areas, lack of oxygen (e.g. tanks, pits),
dangerous gases, extremes of temperature, hot surfaces, fire
hazard (e.g. during welding), excessive noise, moving
machinery.
1.6 The system
Consider the effect on the complete system of the work
proposed. Will any proposed action (e.g. closing isolation
valves, electrical isolation) put any other part of the system or
any personnel at risk?
Dangers might include isolation of vents or protective devices
or the rendering ineffective of controls or alarms. Ensure
isolation valves are turned on and off in a gradual way to avoid
system shocks.
1.7 Pressure systems
Ensure that any pressure is isolated and safely vented to
atmospheric pressure. Consider double isolation (double block
and bleed) and the locking or labelling of closed valves. Do not
assume that the system has depressurised even when the
pressure gauge indicates zero.
1.8 Temperature
Allow time for temperature to normalise after isolation to avoid
danger of burns.
1.9 Tools and consumables
Before starting work ensure that you have suitable tools and / or
consumables available. Use only genuine Spirax Sarco
replacement parts.
1.10 Protective clothing
Consider whether you and / or others in the vicinity require any
protective clothing to protect against the hazards of, for example,
chemicals, high / low temperature, radiation, noise, falling
objects, and dangers to eyes and face.
1.11 Permits to work
All work must be carried out or be supervised by a suitably
competent person. Installation and operating personnel should
be trained in the correct use of the product according to the
Installation and Maintenance Instructions.
Where a formal ‘permit to work’ system is in force it must be
complied with. Where there is no such system, it is recommended
that a responsible person should know what work is going on
and, where necessary, arrange to have an assistant whose
primary responsibility is safety.
Post ‘warning notices’ if necessary.
1.12 Handling
Manual handling of large and/or heavy products may present
a risk of injury. Lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying or supporting
a load by bodily force can cause injury particularly to the back.
You are advised to assess the risks taking into account the
task, the individual, the load and the working environment and
use the appropriate handling method depending on the
circumstances of the work being done.
