Welcome to our industry bulletin – VISION.
So what is VISION?
VISION is our monthly round-up of industry news, projects, videos, technical tips, training information, webinars and career opportunities from Thorne & Derrick. Take a moment to Follow Us on LinkedIn to receive future VISION.
A horrific industrial accident at B&M’s headquarters saw an electrician’s body swell to four times its normal size.
Workman Shahenur Rahman was set ablaze during the industrial accident at the firm’s base and distribution centre at Estuary Commerce Park in Speke and remained in a coma for two weeks after.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that B&M was advised by Leep Utilities in June 2018 that maintenance work was required on the high voltage switchgear at its HQ. The retailer hired two generators from supplier Aggreko in order to maintain the supply and “allow some core functions” to remain in operation while the power was being cut. Aggreko suggested Bolton-based company Daker be contracted to connect these generators.
Shahenur Rahman was connecting a generator to B&M’s mains voltage distribution board. The board was in close proximity to the high voltage equipment which was energised while Rahman was wiring up the generator. It is believed that the spanner which he was holding came into contact with a live high voltage busbar, causing an instant blast and fireball. The 35 year old sustained serious burns to his arms, hands, thighs, legs and face. Rahman was rushed to hospital where doctors later placed him in an induced coma for 2 weeks. He then had to undergo a serious of skin grafts and was unable to work for five months.
The HSE found a “series of failings” by both B&M and Daker in the planning and execution of the job.
“Unfortunately, they failed at the very first hurdle by putting a man in charge of overseeing the work who, at his own admission, was wholly unqualified to fulfil such a role. It was a role he simply wasn’t capable of fulfilling, and one that he should never have been asked to undertake by his employer.”
B&M Retail Limited admitted two health and safety breaches, while Daker Limited pleaded guilty to one. Neither defendant has previous convictions for such matters.
The retailer was fined £1m and told to pay £4,978.30 in court costs plus a £170 victim surcharge. Daker would have faced a £12,000 fine, but this was reduced to a “nominal” amount of £100 due to its “dire financial straits”.
Ensuring you have the right systems in place when working with electricity is critical to the wellbeing of your employees and your Company. Electricity can be extremely dangerous and hazards such as an arc flash and electric shock could result in death.
Suggested PPE & electrical safety equipment includes: insulating gloves, arc flash clothing, voltage detectors, insulating matting and portable earthing
Electrical Safety Equipment for Cables, Conductors, Substations & Overhead Lines
Read more about how to keep employees safe:
Date: 31st July, 2022
Location: Beirut, Lebanon
Facility: Beirut Grain Silo
Beirut grain silo fire, explosion, and collapse.
Part of Beirut’s port grain silos, severely damaged in a 2020 explosion, has collapsed after a fire that lasted more than three weeks.
The initial explosion on August 4th 2020 occurred after a huge stock of ammonium nitrate, inexplicably left in storage at the port for years, caught fire.
So far, no senior officials have been held accountable over the blast and a judicial investigation has been stalled for eight months. There has been widespread political interference in the probe and two sitting MPs charged in connection with the investigation have refused to attend hearings.
The devastating explosion killed more than 215 people, injured thousands and destroyed large parts of the capital.
Now, there has been a collapse of the silos; with clouds of smoke and dust spreading across the port from the ruined site captured on video. The collapse came only days before the two-year anniversary of the explosion.
The fire at the silos has been blamed on fermenting wheat stocks and the summer heat.
VISIT US AT STAND 21
We are delighted to announce that will be exhibiting at Tank Storage Association’s 2022 Conference – the UK’s leading event for the bulk liquid storage sector.
The event which will be held at the CBS arena on the 22nd September has a proven track record of successfully bringing together people who care about safe and effective bulk liquid storage operations.
Where: Coventry Building Society Arena
When: 22nd September 2022
Thorne & Derrick will be showcasing a variety of products and solutions that will help ensure all your bulk liquid storage operations run smoothly. Including a range of specialised equipment such as lighting, power, heat, ventilation & portable gas detection providing protection for workers in a range of different applications.
Keep an eye on our blog and social media accounts for further updates from what to expect when you visit our stand.
The following application and photos have been used with kind permission from Brad Adams of Indacon Ltd
“Sometimes people don’t see the planning involved with even the smallest jobs. Planning is what can make or break a job!”
This was a small lighting job in a store room, with a few days spent on the project. Involved was the installation of standard and emergency Raytec light fittings, new containment, isolators, cabling and both ATEX and non-ATEX Hawke cable glands.
A Raytec Generation 2 Emergency Light Fitting
Although it’s not the nicest of environments to work in the team wear the correct PPE at all times.
“With Raytec LED linears and Raytec Emergency Bulkheads, this is an install that we have done a number of times, but Raytec always continue to update the generations and always look good!”
A brief overview of the components used on the project:
It was great to catch up with Andy Horsford from Wolf this month who popped into our offices for a visit. Thorne & Derrick’s latest apprentice Dylan, benefitted from a product overview of the wolf portable and temporary lighting solutions suitable for use in hazardous areas to help build his knowledge.
We are looking forward to seeing you at Tank Storage Association later in the year!
Thorne & Derrick have been working with a manufacturer of Specialist Door Solutions to design a suitable security solution to be installed with the end user.
The client required a fail-safe solution to be used in conjunction with the doors; to prevent unauthorised access to the area. We supplied the customer with our range of maglocks and door contacts from Securex to meet the specification requirements:
The SX EX Electromagnetic Lock (Maglock) has been designed as the first truly ‘Ex Certified’ door locking product, providing an unrivalled security solution for access control.
The ATEX magnetic lock has been designed for use on a wide range of door configurations including use of both inward and outward opening doors. Each lock is provided as standard as a two part set comprising the Electromagnetic Lock and The Armature Plate (Keeper).
The range incorporates door status monitoring with changeover contacts as standard when used as part of an integrated access control solution – enhancing both safety and security.
Thorne & Derrick are experts in the design and provision of an extensive range of heating jackets for a variety of applications, including for both non-hazardous and hazardous areas. With experienced and trained technical sales engineers, we expertly design our solutions together with clients and conduct heat loss calculations to ensure that our bespoke heating jackets maintain high efficiency.
Our client required a custom heating solution to fit a transformer oil tank on a wind farm, to prevent the oil temperature falling below 5ºC. In cold weather, the low oil temperature can cause a false low level alarm which is safety critical and causes the isolation of multiple turbines. The atmosphere was non-explosive.
The intention was to design a heating solution that will prevent the drop in oil temperature during winter months and when the turbines are not spinning. Heaters will not need to be energised in low ambient temperature if the turbines are spinning, as the heat generated by the transformers is sufficient to maintain acceptable oil temperature.
Following a consultation and site survey Thorne & Derrick were able to design an effective heating jacket to fit the specified dimensions and meet the heating requirements, which are now to be installed across the site following successful trial.
Thorne & Derrick’s bespoke solutions offer versatility in design that can be specifically tailored to fit a multitude of different containers, valves and equipment; suitable for virtually any size and specifications. Produced in house, bespoke heating jackets can be made to order in a 2-3 weeks delivered UK & worldwide.
➡ Request A Trial Or Discuss Your Requirements
An Example Of An Electrical Heating Jacket Customised for Hazardous Area Vessel Heating
Every industry has its own language, terms and acronyms. Below is a selection of the common terms in use in the Explosion industry today and how they are employed in current directives.
This month we focus on Apparatus Groups and Temperature Classes for Common Flammable Dusts and Fibres – Group III
When considering installations that are at risk of a potential explosion due to dust ignition, the equipment used is classified in much the same way as with gases. No equipment should be installed where the surface temperature of the equipment is greater than the ignition temperature of the given hazard. Below are some common dust hazardous and their minimum ignition temperature.
| Ignition Temperatures for Common Flammable Dusts and Fibres | ||
| Material | Ignition Temperature | |
| Cloud | Layer | |
| Coal Dust | 380°C | 225°C |
| Polythene | 420°C | (melts) |
| Methyl Cellulose | 420°C | 320°C |
| Starch | 460°C | 435°C |
| Flour | 490°C | 340°C |
| Sugar | 490°C | 460°C |
| Grain Dust | 510°C | 300°C |
| Phenolic Resin | 530°C | > 450°C |
| Aluminium | 590°C | > 450°C |
| PVC | 700°C | > 450°C |
| Soot | 810°C | 570°C |
Thorne & Derrick are leaders in the development and distribution of Product Innovations that deliver significant improvements to clients plant, people and operational safety in the explosive atmosphere industries.
Your proactive problem solvers experienced in succession planning for the replacement of obsolete, non-conformant and legacy equipment in hazardous areas.
Your first-choice provider of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure ATEX & IECEx Compliance for Hazardous Area Electrical, HVAC & Process Instrumentation Equipment to UK and international projects.
Control Panels | Plugs | Isolators | Enclosures & Junction Boxes | Lighting | Control Stations | Motor Starters | Heat Trace | Gas Detection | Flame Detection | Process Instrumentation | Process Heating | Ventilation Fans | Security Access Control
MPS Sensor Technology | Crowcon Xgard Bright
Crowcon Xgard Bright
Crowcon recently introduced the first molecular property spectrometer™ (MPS™) flammable gas sensor for a fixed gas detector. Now available in Crowcon’s flagship Xgard Bright fixed detector as described in the case study below.
This case by Crowcon features a Malaysian offshore supply company (MOSC) that provides a comprehensive range of upstream oil and gas services including well pumping, coiled tubing units and the rental and supply of offshore accommodation cabins.
The firm has a long established relationship with Crowcon’s Malaysian distributor One Gasmaster, and had been using Flamgard gas detectors for some time with calibration support from One Gasmaster, when the time came to replace the Flamgard sensor. Crowcon’s distributor realised that this presented an opportunity for the MOSC to save costs while adhering to very strict offshore safely compliance requirements.
One of the services the MOSC offers is the construction and supply of accommodation cabins for offshore rigs and platforms. Each cabin contains a Crowcon gas detector, to detect flammable gases and alert the central control room as soon as these are found.
Since the accommodation units are usually sited offshore, they operate in harsh and hazardous conditions (combustible gases, hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compounds [VOCs] are ever-present risks) and are inaccessible. Consequently, the maintenance and calibration of the gas detectors was costly, potentially dangerous and difficult. Thus the gas detectors were generally maintained when the rental cabins were returned to the company for overhaul.
One Gasmaster realised that if the MOSC replaced their existing detectors with a unit with Crowcon’s latest MPS™ flammable sensor, the client would not require calibration for up to 5 years, and would benefit from the fact that MPS™ flammable sensors are resistant to poisoning effects.
Thus, the MOSC could enhance their safety profile while saving the substantial sums they were currently spending on maintenance. They approached the client with a view to replacing the existing in-cabin detectors with fixed Xgard Bright with MPS™ sensor, and the MOSC agreed.
The MPS™ sensor delivers key features which provide real world tangible benefits to operator and site operations. These include:
No Calibration
When implementing a fixed head detector it is common practice to service on a recommended schedule defined by manufacturer. This entails ongoing regular costs as well as potentially disrupting production or process in order to service or even gain access to detector or multiple detectors. There may also be a risk to personnel when detectors are mounted in particularly hazardous environments.
The Xgard Bright with MPS™ sensor technology does not require calibration. This in turn reduces the interaction with the detector resulting in a lower total cost of ownership over the sensor life cycle and reduced risk to personnel and production output to complete regular maintenance.
Multi Species Gas – ‘True LEL’™
Many industries and applications use or have as a by-product multiple gases within the same environment. This can be challenging for traditional sensor technology which can detect only a single gas that they were calibrated for at the correct level and can result in inaccurate reading and even false alarms which can halt process or production if another flammable gas type is present.
The lack of response or over response frequently faced in multi gas environments can be frustrating and counterproductive compromising safety of best user practices. The MPS™ sensor can accurately detect multiple gases at once and instantly identify gas type. Additionally, the MPS™ sensor has a on board environmental compensation and does not require an externally applied correctional factor. Inaccurate readings and false alarms are a thing of the past.
No Sensor Poisoning
In certain environments traditional sensor types can be under risk of poisoning. Extreme pressure, temperature, and humidity all have the potential to damage sensors whist environmental toxins and contaminants can ‘poison’ sensors, leading to severely compromised performance. Detectors in environments where poisons or inhibitors may be encountered, regular and frequent testing is the only way to ensure that performance is not being degraded.
Sensor failure due to poisoning can be a costly experience. The technology in the MPS™ sensor is not affected by contaminates in the environment. Processes that have contaminates now have access to a solution that operates reliably with fail safe design to alert operator to offer a peace of mind for personnel and assets located in hazardous environment.
Additionally, the MPS sensor is not harmed by elevated flammable gas concentrations, which may cause cracking in conventional catalytic sensor types for example. The MPS sensor carries on working.
Hydrogen (H2)
The usage of Hydrogen in industrial processes is increasing as the focus to find a cleaner alternative to natural gas usage. Detection of Hydrogen is currently restricted to pellistor, metal oxide semiconductor, electrochemical and less accurate thermal conductivity sensor technology due to Infra-Red sensors inability to detect Hydrogen. When faced with challenges highlighted above in poisoning or false alarms, the current solution can leave operator with frequent bump testing and servicing in addition to false alarm challenges.
The MPS™ sensor provides a far better solution for Hydrogen detection, removing the challenges faced with traditional sensor technology. A long-life, relatively fast responding hydrogen sensor that does not require calibration throughout the life cycle of the sensor, without the risk of poisoning or false alarms, can significantly save on total cost of ownership and reduces interaction with unit resulting in peace of mind and reduced risk for operators leveraging MPS™ technology.
All of this is possible thanks to MPS™ technology, which is the biggest breakthrough in gas detection for several decades. The Gasman with MPS is hydrogen (H2) ready. A single MPS sensor accurately detects hydrogen and common hydrocarbons in a fail-safe, poison-resistant solution without recalibration.
The next generation of flammable gas detection is now available for fixed and portable gas detectors. The MPS technology has the ability to accurately detect over 15 hazardous gases in one MPS sensor for better safety and operational efficiency.
Crowcon Gas Detectors with MPS sensor technology | Gasman | T4 | Xgard Bright
Hazardous area industries including offshore oil/gas platforms and FPSOs, onshore oil refineries, processing plants, pipelines, storage farms and LPG/LNG plants all utilise or produce a wide range of hazardous flammable liquids and gases that can be detected using correctly specified flame and gas detectors.
Detecting toxic and flammable gases requires the detectors to be classified and certified according to the specific IECEx or ATEX standard – we distribute flame and fire detectors manufactured by Spectrex to operate in the harshest environmental conditions including self-contained stand-alone devices designed for direct connection to control and alarm systems or automatic fire extinguishing systems.
Our range of Hazardous Area Fire & Gas Detection System products also includes Explosion Proof Warning Systems & Hazardous Area Lighting – comprehensive range of intrinsically safe, flameproof and explosion proof alarm sounders, sirens, bells and horns, loudspeakers and beacons.
♦ LV Power Products | Junction Boxes & Enclosures ATEX | Plugs ATEX | Control Stations ATEX | Isolators ATEX
Thorne & Derrick | Detecting Flame | Heat | Gas
Thorne & Derrick support Silverline Memories, a North East of England Charity providing activities and support for people living with Dementia.
People with Dementia, their carers and their families, have the right to be recognised for who they are, to make choices about their lives including taking risks, and to contribute to society.
A Dementia diagnosis should not define a person, nor should anyone be ashamed of it.
People with Dementia have the right to continue with day to day and family life, without discrimination or unfair cost, to be accepted and included within their communities and not live in isolation or loneliness.
These rights are grounded in the Equality Act, Mental Capacity legislation, Health and Care legislation, and International Human Rights Law.
Silverline Memories is committed to supporting people with Dementia, their carers and their families to ensure these rights are upheld.
Our face-to-face sessions and activities include:
During the pandemic the following sessions have been meeting online:
Many of our services, such as our support groups, require membership. If you would like to join, or would like to refer someone to us, all you have to do is click the link – Join Us – Silverline Memories fill out the form and a member of our friendly team will be in contact.
And there’s nothing to pay – Silverline Memories is funded entirely via sponsorship funding and donations.
Every donation, no matter how small, is celebrated and appreciated at Silverline Memories.
As we are a small charity, your donation really can make a big difference.
At Silverline Memories we truly couldn’t achieve all we do without our volunteers. They really do keep things ticking along and we’d be lost without them.
There are a variety of ways that you can get involved and, regardless of how much time you can spare us, we’re sure that we can find you something that you’ll enjoy and that will be helpful to us as a charity.
If you think you’d like to join us as a volunteer, we’d love to talk to you – https://silverlinememories.com/contact/
Silverline Memories is a registered Charity number 1163582. Our registered address and office is at:
177B Kirkwood Drive
Kenton Retail,
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 3BE
Coventry Building Society Arena | 22nd September 2022
VISIT US AT STAND 21
Thorne & Derrick will be exhibiting at Tank Storage Association’s 2022 Conference – the UK’s leading event for the bulk liquid storage sector.
The event which will be held at the CBS arena on the 22nd September has a proven track record of successfully bringing together people who care about safe and effective bulk liquid storage operations.
The annual conference programme regularly features presentations from Government, Regulators and industry experts on topics which are of key interest to those who operate in this sector.
What: Tank Storage Conference & Exhibition
Where: Coventry Building Society Arena
Stand: 21
When: 22nd September 2022
How: Register To Attend
Thorne & Derrick will be showcasing a variety of products and solutions that will help ensure all your bulk liquid storage operations run smoothly. Including a range of specialised equipment such as lighting, power, heat, ventilation & portable gas detection providing protection for workers in a range of different applications.
Please keep an eye on our blog and social media accounts for further updates from what to expect when you visit our stand.
Meet our friendly team on Stand 21.
Mandy Rutter, Independent Consultant – Mental Health, Trauma, Resilience and Human Aspects of Business Continuity, will be speaking at #TSA2022 on ‘Mental Wellbeing and the challenges post Covid’.
Dr Niall Ramsden, Director, ENRG CONSULTANTS LTD, will be speaking at #TSA2022 on ‘The transition to fluorine free firefighting foam – Research, Design standard changes and the challenges ahead’.
Sean Pruce, Deputy Director Cross Cutting Regulation, Environment Agency, will be speaking at #TSA2022 on ‘COMAH Strategic Forum Net Zero priorities and climate change adaption’.
Thorne & Derrick are leaders in the development and distribution of Product 
Innovations that deliver significant improvements to clients plant, people and operational safety in the explosive atmosphere industries.
Your proactive problem solvers experienced in succession planning for the replacement of obsolete, non-conformant and legacy equipment in hazardous areas.
Your first-choice provider of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure ATEX & IECEx Compliance for Hazardous Area Electrical, HVAC & Process Instrumentation Equipment to your UK and international projects.
Over the last 3 years, Thorne & Derrick have introduced several products which have led to improved efficiency, reliability and productivity in the hazardous area and process industries.
Written by Michael Morley. Michael is Wolf Safety’s Technical Director and has been designing lighting products for safe use in Hazardous Areas for over 25 years.
Selecting the best cable for your Hazardous Area Lighting application can be as important for safety as choosing the correct ATEX lighting equipment.
In this blog we look at six key issues that need to be considered and four of the most widely used cable types:
▪️ SY Cable
▪️ Ships Braided Cable
▪️ H07RN-F Cable
▪️ PUR Cables (which use Polyurethane as a sheathing material)
Thorne & Derrick distribute the complete range of Wolf portable & temporary lighting products including handlamps, torches, tank lighting and floodlights as well as ATEX cable reels to accommodate different applications.
Having selected the most appropriate lighting for your environment and task, you should then consider the most suitable cabling, and the best way to manage it within the Hazardous Area.
For this, six key issues need to be taken into consideration:
Following the users’ assessment of these six points, the most appropriate cable can be chosen from the wide selection available, each of which has its own particular advantages.
The most widely used cable type in the on-shore energy and industrial sector is SY Cable.
The SY cable has a PVC outer sheath and braided armour for protection against mechanical damage. The braided armour, also sometimes known as steel braid or mechanical protection, is particularly important when used in temporary applications where there’s a greater risk of it becoming trapped, walked on, or driven over. With a maximum high ambient temperature of +70 oC, this cable is ideal for hotter environments. However, it’s less suitable for low temperature environments below +5 oC, as the cable can become brittle.
Often chosen for offshore installations and marine applications where a heat, oil and flame retardant cable is required. Like SY Cable, Ships Braided Cable contains steel braid, but is stronger and more robust, but less flexible. It’s compliant with BS6883, using low smoke, halogen free materials.
Frequently used on Hazardous Area temporary lighting equipment in Europe. It’s a heavy-duty power supply cable with a tough rubber sheath, designed to be flexible and withstand chemical, mechanical and thermal stresses. It has a temperature rating of -30oC to +60oC for fixed installations (rising to +85oC for fixed protected installations) and from -15oC to +60oC when flexed.
More recent applications have been specifying cables which use Polyurethane as a sheathing material, often abbreviated to PUR cable. PUR cables are halogen free, flame resistant and offer increased mechanical, chemical, mud, and UV resistance – making PUR cables suitable for harsh environments. They can operate between -40oC and +125oC (individual cable technical specifications should always be referred to for precise upper and lower limits).
Not only should the user decide which cable best suits their needs, but also how to manage the cable in the work area. Care should be taken and it should be positioned to minimise the risk of cutting, abrading and damage from vehicles.
Hazardous Area Portable Lamps & Torches
To increase safety further when using mains power in the Hazardous Area, users often use MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers – i.e., electronic fuses) or RCDs (Residual Current Devices). These reduce the risk of the cables overheating (if specified correctly) under fault current conditions, but it should be noted that these will not prevent the risk of a potentially explosive spark.
Low Voltage (24 Volt) applications present a number of additional issues to be taken into consideration. These include:
When using a 230/110V Input – 24V Output 400VA Transformer, the effectiveness of the fusing within the transformer is dependent upon cable resistance: cable resistance limits how much current can flow, so the longer the cable, the greater the resistance, which is especially relevant in Low Voltage applications where you only have 24V supply. Wolf offers the option of 42 volt transformers and products rated from 24-42 volts to substantially increase the cable runs.
Users looking to purchase an ATEX Transformer should ensure that information detailing the correct fuse value relative to the size and length of cable used is available to support safe and trouble-free usage in a Hazardous Area application. All Wolf transformers are supplied with supporting documentation detailing this data. Typically, the maximum cable length for 2.5mm2 core cable is 20m.
➡ See the full range of Wolf hazardous area ATEX Transformers used to provide safe and reliable temporary power distribution in hazardous area Zones 1 & 2 (Gas) and Zones 21 & 22 (Dust) with potentially explosive atmospheres.
When clear vision and brilliant LED light is required in hazardous area locations or confined spaces with potentially explosive atmospheres, Wolf Safety lights provide bold, bright and unfailing portable and temporary lighting. Since 1912, Wolf has been trusted to light the world’s most hazardous and hostile environments – with ATEX & IECEX certified portable lights to provide safe lighting in explosive atmospheres.
Thorne & Derrick are hazardous area lighting specialists stocking a complete range of portable and permanent fixed lighting including both fluorescent and LED technology in standard linear light fittings, wellglass, high bay and floodlight design certified by ATEX for both Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas.
➡ Technical Resources | Hazardous Area Zones | T Class Temperature Ratings | Explosive Atmospheres (Definitions)
Stockists & Suppliers of Wolf Safety Lamp | Portable & Hazardous Area Lighting
Published 13 Mar 2020
Press Release Date: 02.04.2020 uploaded by Chris Dodds (T&D Sales + Marketing Manager) World’s First Fully Certified ATEX Doors Thorne & Derrick International, the Experts in Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres, today announce the signing of a Commercial Distribution Agreement...
Published 04 Jul 2019
Press Release Date: 04.07.2019 uploaded by Chris Dodds (T&D Sales + Marketing Manager) Category: Stockist Distributor Agreement Announcement Thorne & Derrick International announce that they have signed a Preferred Distributor Agreement with Raytec, the world leading manufacturer of LED...
