Reduce The Risk Of Failure With SIL 1 & SIL 2 Sounders, Beacons & Call Points
Published 02 Jun 2023
SIL 1 & SIL 2 Sounders, Beacons & Call Points
Reduce The Risk Of Failure With MEDC
The global importance of SIL (Safety Integrity Levels) has grown substantially in the process industries over the years. However, for many end users, systems integrators, and product vendors, SIL is still a somewhat ambiguous concept that often is misinterpreted and incorrectly implemented.
What is a Safety Integrity Level (SIL)?
SIL – level of safety assigned to a single SIF (SIL1, 2, 3, 4).
Carries technical and non-technical requirements, higher the level the stricter the requirements.
EN 61508, which followed on from IEC 61508, defines the safety integrity level as follows:
The SIL refers to “four well-differentiated levels for specifying the requirement for safety integrity of safety functions assigned to the E/E/PE safety-related system, with Safety Integrity Level 4 being the highest level of safety integrity and Safety Integrity Level 1 being the lowest.”
A SIL is a measure of safety system performance, in terms of probability of failure on demand (PFD). This convention was chosen based on the numbers: it is easier to express the probability of failure rather than that of proper performance (e.g., 1 in 100,000 vs. 99,999 in 100,000). There are four discrete integrity levels associated with SIL: SIL 1, SIL 2, SIL 3, and SIL 4.
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In high risk industries such oil, gas and petrochemicals, adopting SIL1 and SIL2 systems is becoming the norm, in particular for the safety-critical fire and gas detection systems.
While the fire and gas control panel will normally initiate automatic process shutdown procedures in the event of an alarm, the audible and visual warning devices are critical components in ensuring that personnel are warned in an emergency.
MEDC offer a globally approved range of signals (sounders, beacons and call points etc) that provide the ultimate in life safety notification in both hazardous area and safe area applications.
Many products are now available with SIL1 and SIL2 compliance as standard. Expert third party Probability of Failure on Demand (PFD) analysis of the extensive product reliability data available for these product ranges confirms SIL1 and SIL2 compliance.
The approval now means that SIL1 and SIL2 approval can be provided for explosion proof audible and visual signals in marine grade aluminium, GRP or stainless steel enclosures as well as ABS plastic safe area devices.
MEDC Products With SIL 1 Rating
| ATEX Sounders | |
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DB3B – GRP Sounder
MEDC DB3B is a high-power explosion proof sounder which is provided with versatile control options allowing compatibility with a wide range of control methods and PLCs. Certified for use from -55°C to +85°C, the DB3B can withstand the harshest conditions. With an Ex enclosure manufactured from GRP and a rugged thermoplastic flare, it is lightweight and corrosion free without compromising on durability. |
| DB3BM – Alloy or S/S Sounder
MEDC DB3BM is a high-power explosion proof sounder which is provided with versatile control options allowing compatibility with a wide range of control methods and PLCs. Certified for use from -60°C to +85°C, the DB3BM can withstand the harshest conditions. The Ex-enclosure is manufactured in either marine grade alloy or stainless steel with a rugged thermoplastic flare providing a corrosion free and aesthetically pleasing product. |
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| ATEX Beacons | |
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XB15 5j-10j-15j – GRP Xenon Beacon
MEDC XB15 range of 5, 10 and 15 Joule Xenon beacons is suitable for use in potentially explosive gas and dust atmospheres. Suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. The beacon housing is manufactured completely from a UV-stable, glass reinforced polyester (GRP) – lightweight and corrosion free. The model XB15 contains a supervisory diode and four wire lead connections for alarm applications.
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| LD15 – GRP LED Beacon
MEDC LD15 range of LED beacons is suitable for use in potentially explosive gas and dust atmospheres. Suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. The beacon housing is manufactured from a UV stable, glass reinforced polyester, with the lens manufactured borosilicate glass. Stainless steel screws are used ensuring a totally corrosion-free product.
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| ATEX Call Points | |
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PH1 – Pull Handle Call-point
MEDC PH1 Pull Handle Call Point is designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It’s suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. The PH1 has double activation with large “Lift” and “Pull” handles, making it perfect for withstanding high winds and sandstorms typical of harsh and hazardous environments.
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MEDC Products With SIL 2 Rating
| ATEX Loudspeaker | |
| DB4B – GRP Loudspeaker
MEDC DB4B are ATEX loudspeakers with a high power explosion proof speaker, introduced as a replacement for the DB4 with improved intelligibility and acoustic performance. Certified for use in a wide range of temperatures (from -55ºC to +70ºC) the Ex enclosure is manufactured from GRP with a rugged thermoplastic flare providing a corrosion free and aesthetically pleasing product suitable for use in ATEX & IECEx Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas. |
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| ATEX Beacon | |
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SM87HXB – Alloy or S/S Xenon Beacon
MEDC SM87HXB 5 Joule Beacon range is designed for use in potentially explosive gas and dust atmospheres. Suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. The stainless steel or marine grade alloy enclosures are suitable for use offshore or onshore, where light weight combined with corrosion resistance and strength is required. |
| SM87LED – Alloy or S/S LED Beacon
MEDC SM87LED Ex LED Beacon range is designed for use in potentially explosive gas and dust atmospheres. Suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. The stainless steel or marine grade alloy enclosures are suitable for use offshore or onshore, where light weight combined with corrosion resistance and strength is required.
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| ATEX Call Point | |
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BG – GRP Break Glass Call Point
MEDC BG Manual Call Point range is designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It’s suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. Also suitable for industrial applications. A plastic ‘break glass’ or deformable operating element is available to replace the break glass. No hammer is needed to activate the alarm, once the flexible element is pressed the unit can be simply reset by repositioning the element. |
| PB – GRP Pushbutton Call Point
MEDC PB Manual Call Point is designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. This unit is supplied with a lift flap that latches firmly in place (not available for turn and push version).
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SM87PB – Alloy or S/S Pushbutton Call Point
MEDC SM87PB Manual Call Point Range is is designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Suitable for marine and both onshore and offshore environments in the oil, gas and petrochemical industries. Intrinsically safe Exia and flameproof, a choice of either stainless steel or alloy makes the range suitable for either the offshore or onshore industries. Exd versions of each model are available. |
| ATEX Heat Detector | |
| HD1 – GRP or Alloy Heat Detector
MEDC HD1 heat detector range is suitable for fire alarm and/or suppression systems in offshore and onshore applications, including paint spray booths, flammable material stores, turbine rooms, extract ductwork and other hazardous areas throughout the oil & gas, petrochemical and process industries. The contact in the ATEX heat detector closes at alarm temperature. |
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MEDC is a globally renowned manufacturer of call points and hazardous area communication systems – Thorne & Derrick International, based in the UK, are the leading stockists and suppliers of Call Points for explosive atmosphere applications from market-leading brands including the MEDC range from the EATON Crouse Hinds series of Signalling & Alarms – a comprehensive range of Explosion Proof call points are available with ATEX & IECEx certification and explosion protection to both Ex d (flameproof) and Ex ia (Intrinsically Safe) applications.
