Don’t Accidentally Blind Your Flame Detector
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009
When a flame detector is installed, ideally it has a clear view of the potential hazard to which it is assigned. But life happens. Facilities change. Facilities expand. New pipes might be installed. Hazardous areas might move.
Ask yourself if your detectors have been adjusted to keep up with the changes.
Recently, we performed a site survey with a customer who had a completely healthy flame detector that unfortunately was optically obscured by a newly installed water pipe sitting 4 inches in front of its optical sensor. Just six months before, the detector had been successfully monitoring a hazardous area for a potential hydrocarbon flame.
Make sure you adjust your hazard detection as your needs change.
Remember that Det-Tronics can help with advice. We have knowledge and tools that will assist you. The action could be as simple as using a laser aimer (cone-of-vision tester) which attaches to the face of a detector and shows the area monitored by the detector.
Take a careful tour of your area and contact us for assistance. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at rss@det-tronics.com.
People who have worked in a facility that has a hydrogen fire risk might be familiar with the straw-broom technique for detecting the nearly invisible hydrogen-fire hazard. The scenario looks something like this . . .
