The Introduction
UM Terminals provides bulk liquid storage facilities for a wide range of products including vegetable oils, industrial, food and feed, chemical, fertiliser, fuels, and biofuels.
Operating from 8 terminals throughout the UK, UM has a capacity of over 300,000 cubic metres making them one of the UK’s most established bulk liquid storage specialists.
Because of the volume of stored hazards, onsite safety is of paramount importance.
The Problem
Bulk storage of hazardous liquids means that some of their sites are regulated by COMAH. The COMAH Regulations 1999 aim to prevent major accidents and, should one happen, require businesses to limit the effects on people and the environment.
The storage sites are also regulated by Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH Regulations 1999) which stipulates requirements for design and operation of processes and activities to minimise emission, release and spread of substances hazardous to health.
UM’s quality assurance team is continually tracking any changes in UK and international regulations, ensuring that they are always fully compliant.
UM implement gas detection controls as a means of keeping people and the plant safe from the effects of toxic and flammable gases.
Periodically, UM need to replace their gas detection equipment to ensure that they minimise the risk of any accidents onsite from faulty or mis-maintained equipment. The SHE Manager was keen to find a local gas detection supplier for products and onsite training.
The Solution
The SHE Manager from the bulk storage facility contacted a1-cbiss for the supply of replacement of current gas detectors. Once he discussed the requirement and potential onsite dangers with the technical team, it was realised that further gas detection equipment was required to enhance their current onsite safety.
Tank Cleaning – Upon entering the storage tanks, workers are required under the Confined Space Regs to carry out pre-entry checks. Pumped PS200 personal gas detectors with sample lines are inserted into the tank to check toxic and flammable gas measurements ensuring that these are a safe level prior to entry.
Once inside the tank, the gas detectors are clipped to the workers’ overalls to continuously monitor gas levels. BM25 area monitors are positioned to measure for gas levels beyond the personal gas detector sampling zone.
Perimeter Monitoring – Tanks used for storing hazardous chemicals pose a danger to those working around them. Should a leak occur, this poses a danger to those who are in the vicinity and could be subject to breathing hazardous gas. Tank leakage could also present an explosion risk and therefore needs to be continuously monitored.
A fixed gas detection system installed around the perimeter of the monitoring zone can be used to alarm those nearby should there be a leak. Data readings are also transmitted to the head office to continuously record the data.
Data Control – One way to improve worker safety in the most dangerous conditions is to stay connected. UM have incorporated a data control safety solution that allows easy configuration of bump test or calibration results to be automatically stored to a database on the PC or networked to a BMS. This makes it easy to protect their workers and reduce risk on your site.
Service and Calibration – a1-cbiss deliver onsite service and calibration to two of UM’s largest storage facilities
Although 2020 has had its challenges, a1-cbiss have proven to be a supportive gas detection requirement supplier. They are only 3 miles from UM’s head office so it’s convenient for me to easily collect equipment and even get product training whilst I’m there. a1-cbiss have organised numerous site visits for product training which provides my team with full competence in using the products.
Talk with the Experts
Contact us - Our team of application specialists can assist you with system design, installation, maintenance, and repair. As a systems integrator, we provide end-to-end support to ensure your facility has a reliable and effective gas detection system in place.
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