Essential Safety Requirements Research Articles

Aspects Regarding the Surface Temperature for Electric Motors used in Potentially Explosive Atmosphere

Most of the equipment operating in potentially explosive atmospheres in oil and gas industry is represented by electric motors, which in most situations act on various other elements (e.g. pumps, valves, fans etc.). Evaluation of explosion-proof protected electrical equipment in scope of certification is extremely important considering the risk of explosion that has to be minimized in order to ensure life safety and health of workers and to prevent damaging of property and the environment, as well as free movement of goods when they meet the essential safety requirements at European level. Even if electric motors for explosive atmospheres are designed and manufactured following some of the same principles as the ones used for other electric machinery, they have certain particularities related to their field of use. Thus, a series of specific restrictions and tests are required to be considered in their case. A very important component on which the explosion protection depends is the surface temperature of the equipment. This is the highest temperature reached in operation under the most unfavorable conditions (but within the tolerances set), by any part or surface of the electrical equipment (in the case of gaseous explosive atmospheres which may occur in technical installations operating in oil and gas industry, this temperature may appear on an internal component or on the outer surface of the case , depending on the type of protection used). To prevent an explosion it is very important that the tests performed on the equipment are done correctly and in the most unfavorable conditions. The purpose of this paper is to present the importance of performing tests to determine the surface temperature for electric motors designed to be used in explosive atmosphere generated by gases and vapors.

The Importance of using the High Voltage Pulse Generator in the Certification Process of Electric Motors with the type of Protection Increased Safety used in Potentially Explosive Atmosphere

The purpose of this paper is to present the importance of the specific tests for electric motors with type of protection increased safety „e” designed to be used in explosive atmosphere. This paper presents the voltage impulse ignition test applicable to electric motors with increased safety protection type. Due to the fact that electric motors with type of protection Increased Safety, whose supply voltage exceeds 1000 V, presents a high risk of sparks occurring in windings, it is necessary to perform tests to verify that the insulation of the windings is adequate and does not lead to electric discharge (through electric springs or sparks) at winding levels Evaluation of explosion-proof protected electrical equipment in scope of certification is extremely important considering the risk of explosion that has to be minimized in order to ensure life safety and health of workers and to prevent damaging of property and the environment, as well as free movement of goods when they meet the essential safety requirements at European level. The standard SR EN 60079-0 (Explosive atmospheres Part 0: General requirements) and one or more of the standards containing the specific requirements for the type(s) of protection applied to equipment (ex. SR EN 60079-7 for the type of protection increased safety “e”), are used to perform the assessment.

Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR): practical implementation of annexI in pathology.

Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) imposes several conditions on pathology departments that develop and use in-house in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IH-IVDs). However, not all of these conditions need to be implemented immediately after the IVDR entered into force on 26May 2022. Based on an amending regulation of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, the requirements for IH-IVDs will be phased in. Conformity with the essential safety and performance requirements of annexI must be ensured from May2022. With this article, we would like to present the practical implementation of the currently valid conditions for IH-IVDs at the Institute of Pathology at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, in order to provide possible assistance to other institutions. In addition to the intensive work on the requirements for IH-IVDs, several guidance documents and handouts provide orientation for the implementation and harmonisation of the requirements for healthcare institutions mentioned in Article5(5). Exchange in academic network structures is also of great importance for the interpretation and practical implementation of the IVDR. For university and nonuniversity institutions, ensuring conformity with the IVDR represents afurther challenge in terms of personnel and time, in addition to the essential tasks of patient care, teaching and research and the further development of methods for optimal and targeted diagnostics, as well as the maintenance of the constantly evolving quality management system.

Regulation (EU) 2017/746 (IVDR): practical implementation of annexI in pathology

Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDR) imposes several conditions on pathology institutes that develop and use in-house in vitro diagnostic medical devices (IH-IVDs). However, not all of these conditions need to be implemented immediately after the IVDR entered into force on 26May 2022. Based on an amending regulation of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, the requirements for IH-IVDs will be phased in. Conformity with the essential safety and performance requirements of annexI must be ensured from May2022. With this article, we would like to present the practical implementation of the currently valid conditions for IH-IVDs at the Institute of Pathology at the University Hospital of Heidelberg, in order to provide possible assistance to other institutions. In addition to the intensive work on the requirements for IH-IVDs, several guidance documents and handouts provide orientation for the implementation and harmonisation of the requirements for healthcare institutions mentioned in Article5(5). Exchange in academic network structures is also of great importance for the interpretation and practical implementation of the IVDR. For university and nonuniversity institutions, ensuring conformity with the IVDR represents afurther challenge in terms of personnel and time, in addition to the essential tasks of patient care, teaching and research and the further development of methods for optimal and targeted diagnostics, as well as the maintenance of the constantly evolving quality management system.

Coach crashworthiness and failure analysis during a frontal impact

Accidents involving coaches may endanger the physical integrity of their occupants, since the driver stands very close to the collision region. In the event of a frontal impact, there is a violation of the driver's residual operational space, which depends on the energy of the crash, and this may jeopardize the driver's safety. The most decisive factors in achieving a successful design of structural vehicles is to design innovative solutions that safely control the high energy released as a consequence of the high accelerations involved during impacts. Long-course coaches currently lack design techniques and technologies to absorb in a controlled way the kinetic energy released in the collision. Thus, to fulfill this gap in the passive safety of these vehicles, it is necessary to conduct structural optimization research, to improve the passive safety in the eventual event of a frontal collision. The main goal of this research is to develop new solutions for passive safety used in coaches. To this end, a feasibility study involving experimental and numerical techniques was conducted to assess the improvement of driver safety in case of a frontal impact. This study addresses the need for improved experimental validation and fills a literature gap by developing a realistic testing system and incorporating advanced monitoring techniques for evaluating frontal collisions in vehicles, so a M3 Class III coach was used to conduct this study. Experimentally, the vehicle was subjected to a frontal crash test, whereby the ECE Regulation R29 was considered as the baseline, despite focusing on the certification of heavy vehicles with separate driver's cab. Since no standards are available focusing on coaches, the ECE R29 was used and adapted to the studied model. The experimental testing setup comprises a 2500kg pendulum supported by two steel bars was used. When released it collides with the structure, anchored to the ground, with an energy of 55kJ. Monitoring techniques were employed to track the structure, namely Digital Image Correlation (DIC), strain gauges, and accelerometers. These were placed at specific points to accurately assess the damage evolution of the structure. The experimental results were used to validate the numerical results, obtained using VPS/PamCrash® by FEM techniques. The frontal crash simulation was performed using the Finite Element Method, with an explicit dynamic analysis. Strain evolution, accelerations, and displacements were obtained and compared with the experimental results. Furthermore, the evolution of the kinetic energy is plotted and compared with the reference value of the standard. Through the different obtained outcomes, a determination could be made whether the current models meet the safety criteria or whether a proposed solution is required to enhance its performance. According to the standard guidelines, the present structure has no potential to meet the essential safety requirements. In the future, new alternatives should be explored, leading to a structure that can efficiently absorb all the energy released in the experiment under controlled conditions.

Completion of design and manufacturing of the iter vacuum vessel lower port extension

The ITER is an international project that aims to demonstrate fusion power generation through scientific and engineering research. Most of the major components consisting of the Tokamak machine have been under manufacturing and/or achieved completion of manufacturing with verification of functional tests to be installed as a part of Tokamak. Korean Domestic Agency completed manufacturing of the first ITER VV lower port extension, with the implementation of major technical resolutions, and the rest of units are under fabrication in 2022. There were several technical considerations when conducting the first-of-a-kind design and manufacturing of the ITER VV port component, which will respect the RCC-MR, the essential safety and radioprotection requirements of the French Regulation ESPN. This study explains these technical problems and the solutions established during fabrication.

Management of occupational safety and health in the commissioning of defective work equipment in the manufacturing industry

Work equipment must provide compliance with the essential safety and health requirements applicable from the design and manufacturing stage to ensure a high level of protection of social interests, safety and health at work, and environmental protection. Non-conformities are discovered during the initial commissioning of work equipment in some circumstances due to incorrect design and/or manufacture, resulting in unsafe and non-compliant equipment that is defective when placed on the market and marketed. The purpose of this article is to present the research findings. The goal was to assess the risks associated with the security aspects of digital paper and cardboard printing machinery, to ensure compliance with current safety and health regulations, and to limit the risk of operating defective products. The study offered research results on the establishment of safety and compliance conditions, in order to design a methodology for assessment and technical inspection of work equipment, based on risk assessment and taking into account the usual and anticipated use of the work equipment. Introduction on the market, to improve the efficiency of technical inspection and market surveillance operations by detecting and generating risk profiles for work equipment manufacturer non-conformity.

Application of flammability testing methods for conveyor belts intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in order to select suitable types for field application

The conveyor belts are widely used and can be found, for example, in the underground and surface mining industry as well as in other industries involving the transport of various products, materials, etc. The need to ensure the transport of various products, materials, involves the use of conveyor belts in normal environments as well as in environments with a potentially explosive atmosphere. When used in potentially explosive atmospheres, conveyor belts shall not be sources of ignition for the explosive atmospheres generated by gases, vapors, flammable mists and/or combustible dusts in the mixture with the air. This involves the use of conveyor belts in a particular construction, compliance with the applicable essential safety and health requirements as well as granting a special attention to the identification/selection of types suitable for the specific field application. The purpose of the paper is to highlight the importance of testing by accredited laboratory tests, the flammability properties of conveyor belts intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, in order to easily identify/select, by end users, the types of conveyor belts adequate for specific application.

Use of the high voltage source in order to verify the insulation systems of electric motors with the type of protection increased safety used in potentially explosive atmosphere

Evaluation of explosion-proof protected electrical equipment in scope of certification is extremely important considering the risk of explosion that has to be minimized in order to ensure life safety and health of workers and to prevent damaging of property and the environment, as well as free movement of goods when they meet the essential safety requirements at European level. The standards SR EN 60079-0 (Explosive atmospheres. Part 0: Equipment. General requirements) and one or more of the standards containing the specific requirements for the type(s) of protection applied to equipment (ex. SR EN 60079-7 for the type of protection increased safety “e”), are used to perform the assessment. Due to the fact that electric motors with type of protection Increased Safety, whose supply voltage exceeds 1000 V, presents a high risk of sparks occurring in windings, it is necessary to perform tests to verify that the insulation of the windings is adequate and does not lead to electric discharge (through electric springs or sparks) at winding levels.A very important test by which these aspects are verified is the overvoltage-ignition test, applicable to electric motors with increased safety protection type.

Best practices in the field of specific risk evaluation of pyrotechnic entertainment articles subject to legal and illegal market surveillance

The field of pyrotechnic articles is very popular and developed, and as a result, the influx of pyrotechnic articles on the market is abundant. However, it should be noted that in addition to compliant products, which meet the applicable essential safety requirements covered by Directive no. 2013/29 / EU, there are also products on the market that can present a significant level of danger when used, handled, transported or stored. Market surveillance authorities frequently find non-compliant products such as pyrotechnic articles offered to the public, some on the legal market, others traded illegally. The establishment of presumptive risks related to pyrotechnic articles can be achieved by applying documented and accredited procedures at national and European level by specialized laboratories, one of these being found within INSEMEX. Technical-scientific expertise activity aims to verify the level of security for products considered suspicious. We have an international collaboration with European authorities, and at the national level, requests for products such as pyrotechnic articles are sent for expertise by the police, the prosecutor’s office or the courts. It was found that most products considered “suspicious” had serious deficiencies that could lead to major risks, and those traded illegally lead to considerable economic losses.

The danger of initiating explosives by electrostatic discharge. Checking the level of sensitivity of explosives to electrostatic discharges

Explosives designed for civil uses can be, in some cases, be triggered by accident due to electrostatic discharge. Static electricity, as a source of electrostatic discharge, is a common phenomenon in the explosives manufacturing industry. Explosives designed for civil uses are substances, materials and accessories that present a high-risk factor during their production, packaging, storage, transport, use and disposal. In order to establish essential safety requirements for civilian uses explosives, national legislation has been harmonized with European legislation, respectively with Directive 2014/28/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council regarding the placing on the market and control of explosives for civil use, for handling with minimal risk to the safety of human life and health, to prevent damage to property and the environment, and to ensure the safety and health of persons coming into contact with civil uses explosives. In this context, it is necessary to apply high-performance test methods to determine the safety parameters for assessing the conformity of explosives for civil use with the safety requirements set out in the specified directive. This paper describes some aspects regarding the implementation of the testing method for checking the level of sensitivity to electrostatic energy of explosives within the Laboratory of Non-Electrical Ex Equipment, Electrostatics, Materials and PPE within INCD INSEMEX Petroșani [1, 2].

연구소 내 커뮤니케이션 증진을 위한 공간특성 및 배치 사례연구 - 미국 연구소 사례를 중심으로 -

Laboratory buildings are required to meet the essential functions and safety requirements for research and experimentation, and to provide an optimal research environment to enhance researcher creativity. Therefore, the space for interaction through communication among members of the institute is a key component of the building. The purpose of this study is to establish fundamental design data for space layout aimed promoting informal communication and mutual exchanges among members of the institute. This study also aims to understand the correlation between the space layout and the space for informal communication through case study. The scope of the case study was selected and analyzed by carefully choosing six cases among the portfolios of recent US research institutes. After an intensive literature review, the characteristics of informal communication space were divided into openness, activity inducement, and chance; this is the framework for this case study analysis. The study showed the following. First, an atrium provides community space for members on the first floor, and communication stairs are the focal point of the entire building. In this regard, providing members of the institution with furniture, outdoor terrace, and cafeterias induces chance meetings and creates informal communication space supporting social activities. Second, the floor plan of the laboratory can be divided into square and rectangular shapes with variations in response to the presence of an atrium, to location of the laboratory and office space, and the walls enclosing the corridors. Third, reevaluating the corridor width can provide a space where members can move away from the research and experimental activities and promote informal meetings, in addition to being a line of passage.

PROSPECTS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY SECTOR OF UKRAINE IN CONDITIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

This article examines the current prospects for developing nuclear energy in Ukraine in terms of sustainable development. The strategic importance of nuclear energy for Ukraine is indicated. The advantages of nuclear energy in the context of electricity production's external costs over other energy generation technologies are noted. Today, nuclear energy is considered the most cost-effective low-carbon energy source. An analysis of reports from the Atomic Energy Agency and the US Department of Energy shows that nuclear power generation is a leader in many countries' energy sector, producing cheaper electricity than traditional TPPs. The main challenges for the energy system of Ukraine are highlighted. Among them are: wear and tear and impact on the environment of thermal generation (equipment at thermal power plants is worn out by 70–90 %); the unsatisfactory pace of modernization of the main generating capacities, mainly TPPs; the inconsistency of the flexibility of the United Energy System (UES) of Ukraine with the development of "green" energy (increasing the share of "green" energy increases the risks of UES sustainability) and the corresponding ill-consideredness in the pace and scale of renewable energy implementation. Lack of shunting power; the need to duplicate the capacity of renewable energy due to the low installed capacity factor (ICUF) and significant dependence on natural and climatic conditions; the need to replace existing nuclear power units, which end their extended service life with new, more modern ones that will meet the latest safety and economy standards; the imperfection of the electricity market, primarily in the context of its sale by nuclear generation producers under bilateral agreements; deficit of investments in the whole fuel and energy complex. The main prospects for the development of nuclear energy in Ukraine are identified. Completion of Units 3 and 4 of Khmelnytskyi NPP (KhNPP) remains a critical prospect. An obstacle to this for Ukraine is the lack of appropriate technologies on the Ukrainian side and the curtailment of cooperation with Russia and companies belonging to this state. Another obstacle is that the promising power units of KhNPP based on WWER-1000 belong to the second generation, which today do not morally meet the latest trends and requirements in efficiency and safety standards. Theoretically, Western leaders in the nuclear industry, Orano and Westinghouse, could develop nuclear power plants based on their next-generation "3" and "3+" reactors, where the essential safety requirements are already embedded in the original design of the unit. Another option would be to implement a small modular reactor technology project in Ukraine. Technologically, this will quickly resolve the issue of load management, which arose due to the rapid increase in the share of renewable energy generation in our country. This type of reactor has a significant advantage, which in addition to the minimum load on the environment is: the possibility of placement in areas where additional services are needed in the energy market; low construction costs; frequency of service and operating time; the full cycle of work with fuel. In general, low-power reactors can be used to implement the strategy of hybrid power generation (renewable + nuclear energy).

Aspects regarding the specific tests applicable to electric motors with type of protection increased safety „e”

Evaluation of explosion-proof protected electrical equipment in scope of certification is extremely important considering the risk of explosion that has to be minimized in order to ensure life safety and health of workers and to prevent damaging of property and the environment, as well as free movement of goods when they meet the essential safety requirements at European level. Most of the equipment operating in potentially explosive atmospheres is represented by electric motors, which in most situations act on various other elements (e.g. pumps, valves, fans etc.). Even if electric motors for explosive atmospheres are designed and manufactured following some of the same principles as the ones used for other electric machinery, they have certain particularities related to their field of use. Thus, a series of specific restrictions and tests are required to be considered in their case. The purpose of this paper is to present the importance of the specific tests for electric motors with type of protection increased safety „e” designed to be used in explosive atmosphere.

Damage integrity assessment for beams using structural health monitoring technique

Structural health assessment of critical structure is one of the essential safety requirements. Three levels of structural health assessment are performed in this paper, i.e., damage identification...

Damage integrity assessment for beams using structural health monitoring technique

Structural health assessment of critical structure is one of the essential safety requirements. Three levels of structural health assessment are performed in this paper, i.e., damage identification, localisation and quantification. Among all the computational tools available in civil engineering for damage detection, artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) are aimed to detect damage in beams. Cantilever I and hollow beams are modelled using finite element software and modal parameters are extracted. An attempt is made to demonstrate that parameters such as mode shapes and frequency are adequate for detection of structural damage using three classical techniques namely frequency-based damage detection method (FBDD), mode shape-based damage detection method (MBDD), mode shape curvature square (MSCS) damage detection techniques. Damage scenarios are created in the beam with various severities and locations along the beam. The modal parameters thus extracted from ANSYS for damaged beams are used as input for ANN and SVM algorithms for damage assessment. Thus, the results show that both algorithms are accurate for detecting damage in cantilever beams but ANN performed better than SVM.

Zatrzymanie, zatrzymanie awaryjne i odlaczenie od zasilania w energie elektryczna maszyn

The work highlights one of the most important aspects of machinery safety, which is stopping. Due to their specificity, the Machinery Directive distinguishes two stopping modes: normal (technological) and emergency, and separate disconnection from the power supply. There are functional dependencies between them, and each of them has specific features that must be known to the designer of each machine in order to meet the essential safety requirements.

Proper Use of Technical Standards in Offshore Petroleum Industry

Ships for drilling need to operate in the territorial waters of many different countries which can have different technical standards and procedures. For example, the European Union and European Economic Area EU/EEA product safety directives exclude from their scope drilling ships and related equipment onboard. On the other hand, the EU/EEA offshore safety directive requires the application of all the best technical standards that are used worldwide in the oil and gas industry. Consequently, it is not easy to select the most appropriate technical standards that increase the overall level of safety and environmental protection whilst avoiding the costs of additional certifications. We will show how some technical standards and procedures, which are recognized worldwide by the petroleum industry, can be accepted by various standardization bodies, and how they can fulfil the essential health and safety requirements of certain directives. Emphasis will be placed on the prevention of fire and explosion, on the safe use of equipment under pressure, and on the protection of personnel who work with machinery. Additionally considered is how the proper use of adequate procedures available at the time would have prevented three large scale offshore petroleum accidents: the Macondo Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010; the Montara in the Timor Sea in 2009; the Piper Alpha in the North Sea in 1988.

Legal framework for E‑health products on the European market

Legitimately categorizing software in the healthcare sector is complex. According to European medical devices law, software can be considered amedical device. The decisive factor is whether the software is used for directly controlling atherapeutic or diagnostic medical device or as stand-alone software that achieves specific medical purposes, as they are described in the legal definition of a medical device. Acontribution of the software to diagnosis or therapy can be sufficient for the categorization; it does not have to provide the complete diagnosis or the complete therapy itself.This principle will continue to be the same with the new Regulation on Medical Devices (EU) 2017/745, even though the classification rules have been more closely and more specifically tailored to software and more stringent requirements for essential safety and performance requirements have to be met.

TOOLS FOR PREVENTING OCCUPATIONAL RISKS FOR SMEs - A PREREQUISITE FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY

The paper is focused on a research project aiming to provide conditions for market competitiveness of producers and to guarantee the free movement of Romanian products on the EU. This is done by guaranteeing essential health and safety requirements applicable to work equipment in order to implement policies set out in the strategy EUROPE 2020. This strategy takes into account the priority of: favourable growth of inclusion-promoting an economy with a high rate of employment, ensuring social and territorial cohesion. The research aims to improve working conditions and ensure OSH for workers operating in the sectors of the national economy through the use of work equipment compliant and safety through occupational risks of injury and occupational disease identified in these types of equipment in order to increase the support for SMEs to achieve prevention and safety activities. The research results consist in promoting some occupational risk prevention tools developed for SMEs, in order to guarantee the required design and manufacturing work equipment used in wood processing industries, activities which, at workplaces, may affect the health and safety of workers, both those who use the work equipment and those directly involved.