Product category:
Alarms, annunciators and safety interlocks
News Release from: Netherlocks
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 06 June 2007
Valve safety specialist expands into
China
Netherlocks has set up its first office in China, in the capital city of Beijing, to supply expertise on interlocking valve control and other industrial safety products to the Chinese market
The rapid - even explosive - growth of the industrial sector of the Chinese economy means that there is a continually rising need for proven, reliable industrial and process safety products to be available The 'Add-On' approach taken by Netherlocks aims to make any operation safer by incorporating the right products: with the vast majority of incidents and accidents being caused by human error, mechanically enforcing the adherence to safe procedure can dramatically increase worker safety and equipment protection
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 11 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Safe valve position signals for handwheel valves
Netherlocks Safety Systems has designed a new universal mounting system to safely and securely fix valve position indicator switches onto handwheel-operated valves.
New add-on universal lock for all handwheel valves
Dutch industrial safety and valve control expert Netherlocks is launching the SHL - their new Smart Handwheel Lock, a simple Lock-Out device for any size or type of handwheel-operated valve
As would be expected when dealing with this field, the quality of product is key to its value.
If a safety device should fail then the consequences could be grave; it is with this in mind that the Dutch company is bringing to Asia their tradition of, and reputation for reliability.
On 3-5 April 2007, Netherlocks exhibited at CIPPE 2007 (China International Petroleum and Petrochemical Technology and Equipment Exhibition), in order to meet directly with end users and listen to feedback.
Further reading
Chinese oil refinery protected by Netherlocks
One of the largest oil-refining projects in China, the Xinjiang Dushanzi Project, is due to have over 700 Netherlocks valve safety devices installed
ESD testing override lever
Netherlocks has updated the design on their partial-stroke emergency shutdown (ESD) and HIPPS valve testing unit, the *FAITH*, to incorporate an override lever, to allow a shutdown if needed
Portable valve actuator adds torque and speed
Valve-control specialist Netherlocks has developed a portable pneumatic handheld actuator that enables manual valves to be operated at least 40 times faster than by hand
The stand drew considerable attention from visitors with its diverse range of high-quality products from its core ranges: interlocks, Lock-Out/Tag-Out, and valve control.
An interlocking system can be applied to valves, actuators, switches and doors - essentially anything that moves.
By using a trapped-key system, the next step in any process can only be unlocked and started once the previous step has been completed and the appropriate key released, guaranteeing the correct sequence of events.
Non-linear processes such as pigging operations can be controlled by a Mechanical Process Control Unit (MPCU) which will distribute and trap keys according to a pre-programmed sequence, eliminating the chance of operator error.
When a Lock-Out/Tag-Out system is needed (usually for maintenance or temporary use), the stainless steel NL-H universal device can be attached to doors, valves and switches and then secured with individualised (key-differed) padlocks by a worker to ensure their own safety.
The Nether-Flex and KMS both aid in actual valve operation: the former by allowing awkwardly placed valves to be used from a remote unit via a flexible cable, the latter by using pneumatic power in a portable actuator to operate valves which require many turns or great force faster and with less strain on the operator.
To monitor the position of handwheel-operated valves, the secure VPI (Valve Position Indicator) unit mechanically measures their status, and can then convert and transmit this data digitally to a remote monitoring station.
For testing ESD (Emergency Shut Down) procedures, the FAITH system can be installed.
Unlike other methods of testing, with this product production is not halted - a distinct benefit when safety must be ensured without interrupting costly operations.
The Netherlocks sales and support teams are also available to give advice and training in the planning and implementation of safety systems, and the company is ready to customise their product range to suit the particular needs of a client.
Further information can be found on the Netherlocks website, or by contacting them direct.
• Netherlocks: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
