When you need to heat containers such as drums, gas bottles, and Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) in hazardous, potentially explosive areas, the regulations are extremely rigorous, and therefore, the options are limited.
Australia adheres to the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx). This can further narrow down options because IECEx requires third-party testing and auditing and is stricter than either the European ATEX Standard or the USA UL Standard. By preference, Australian companies look for products that comply with IECEx, and only where this is not available will they accept ATEX or UL.
SBH Solutions provides IECEx-certified heating solutions for hazardous areas Zone 1 and Zone 2, specifically tailored for the resources sector. Our products are designed to meet the needs of mining and extraction operations, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency in the most challenging environments.
Heating Challenges in Hazardous Area Operations
Explosive Atmospheres: Hazardous areas often contain flammable gases, vapours, or dust that can ignite under certain conditions, posing significant risks.
Harsh Environmental Conditions: These areas frequently experience extreme environmental conditions such as high humidity, dust, and temperature fluctuations, which can affect the performance of heating equipment.
Regulatory Compliance: Meeting stringent regulatory requirements is essential for operating in hazardous areas. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties and operational shutdowns.
Operational Efficiency: Inefficient heating solutions can increase energy consumption, raise operational costs, and pose potential safety hazards due to uneven heating.
Maintenance and Longevity: Equipment used in hazardous areas often requires frequent maintenance due to harsh conditions, leading to increased downtime and costs.
Key Features of SBH Solutions’ Hazardous Area Heating Jacket Solutions
SBH Solutions is partnered with LMK Thermosafe, the global leader in providing heating solutions for drums and intermediate bulk containers to IECEx standards. For forty years, LMK Thermosafe has been investing heavily in the technology required to meet the stringent requirements of IECEx, as well as conforming to UL, CSA, and ATEX Standards.
Their electromagnetic induction Thermosafe is renowned as the most robust drum heating solution anywhere. Their Inteliheat heater jacket range is the largest IECEx-certified on the market. Their Inteliheat FlexiPlus heater jacket technology, combined with its ProxATEX digital controllers, offers the only customizable container heating system available, allowing LMK Thermosafe to manufacture one-off heating solutions for its customers without the prohibitive cost of individual certification to IECEx.
SBH Solutions is therefore able to offer unique Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous area process heating products that are trusted by major resource companies, including BHP, Woodside, and Glencore. By providing efficient, reliable, and safe heating solutions that meet Australian Standards, we help our clients maintain optimal working conditions to IECEx Standards and improve operational efficiency.
Talk to us about why our hazardous area heating range offers the best combination of energy efficiency, robust construction, and stringent safety compliance.
For more information on our hazardous area or safe area heating solutions, contact us today to learn how we can support your operations.