Pressure without the stress
Published: 01 September, 2008
The sword of Damocles of exploding cylinders hovers permanently over the heads of owners of filling stations.
France and Spain have already reacted to accidents due to exploding cylinders by prescribing protected compressor rooms by law.
It is foreseeable that comprehensive European rules will follow soon. But even without any legal regulations, lawyers will be on the spot immediately in case of an accident. Usually, it is the operator of the filling station that is left taking the blame for not having carried out adequate cylinder tests.
In spite of cylinder tests an element of risk remains, as filling accidents in France and Spain have shown. This residual risk can only be tackled either by using very expensive, efficiently insulated compressor rooms – or the considerably less expensive security fill station B-SAFE from Bauer.
B-SAFE from Bauer protects against injuries to persons and damages to property in the event of an exploding cylinder. When a cylinder explodes, the massive steel housing of the B-SAFE will absorb the enormous release of energy.
Owing to its compact form, the B-SAFE is ideally suited for use in locations where space is at a premium. Six cylinders with a filling pressure of up to 330 bar can be filled simultaneously. Additionally, already existing fill panels from BAUER can be incorporated into the housing interior and used.
The plant’s safety concept has added efficient protection against operating errors, and the filling process can only be started after the guard door has been completely closed and locked.
The B-SAFE is so new that its price has yet to be finalised, but Bauer says that it is expected to be around 11,000 euros.
