A few years ago when Halon gases were banned, the industry saw a brief rise of what it termed ‘Halon Bandits’. Unscrupulous companies would offer to remove Halon gas filled cylinders at no cost, only to grind off the serial numbers and re-spray the cylinders before labelling them as a new ‘Halon alternative’ that was then sold on to unsuspecting customers.
According to Alien Systems & Technologies (AST), yes, the Halon Bandits are back.
Though this time they are wearing the guise: Occupational Health & Safety Act: Pressure Equipment Regulations (2012) Regulation 6.2 – Duties of Users stipulates that the user must ensure that any pressurised equipment has a valid safety certificate that includes a verification signature by an independent SANAS accredited Authorised Inspection Authority (AIA). It is a legal requirement that all pressure equipment manufactured or imported into South Africa be categorised in terms of the OHSA: PER (2012) under Regulations 3, 4 & 5.
This regulation is applicable to all gaseous fire extinguishing systems in South Africa.
However, AST says that it is well aware that many of all gaseous fire extinguishing systems being sold and installed in South Africa, are not compliant with the above mentioned regulations. So what does this mean for the end user? For starters, it is illegal, but there is also a chance that the system may not work correctly when it is required. And, of course, any resulting insurance claims will not be met if the fire extinguishing system is found non-compliant with the local regulations.
The company confirms that its Pyroshield System’s pressure equipment, as defined in the OHSA: PER (2012), has been categorised as per South African National Standard 347: Categorisation and Conformity Assessment Criteria for all Pressure Equipment (2012) and has been verified by an independent SANAS accredited AIA in South Africa.
It is also able to confirm that all Pyroshield piping designs are signed off by a Professionally Registered Person with the Engineering Council of South Africa (Pr Eng, Pr Tech Eng or Pr Cert Eng) as per the requirements of the OHSA: PER (2012) Regulation 3.3 referring to the requirements laid out in SANS 347 (2012) Annexure B.
All gaseous fire extinguishing systems are subjected to these criteria, so it is in the best interests of consultants, contractors and suppliers to become well versed with these regulations. It is as important for end users, so that you are not caught breaking the law or conned into purchasing bottles of ‘snake oil’.
The unseen crisis in our taps
News
South Africa’s water crisis is no longer looming. It is already here. To move forward, water treatment must become part of a broader infrastructure renewal agenda. This includes decentralised solutions, private-sector innovation and long-term investment.
Read more...A technical partnership that lasts Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
News
Ian Loudon, international sales and marketing at remote monitoring specialist, Omniflex reflects on the longevity of the partnership with Sasol, the key technology milestones along the way, and the most recent project in South Africa.
Read more...From the Editor's Desk: The human side of automation Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Spring is here, holidays are getting closer and there’s a new energy in the air. With this in mind, in this issue we cover the very important topic of ECSA registration. SAIMC’s COO, Gerhard Greeff, ...
Read more...VEGA’s Lunch-and-Learn success in KZN VEGA Controls SA
News
VEGA has rolled out its new Lunch-and-Learn series to the coastal regions of South Africa, designed to bring practical training and real-world insights directly to engineers and technicians.
Read more...New Würth Elektronik location in South Africa
News
A new Würth Elektronik branch has opened in Brackenfell, Western Cape. The location operates under the name Wurth Electronics South Africa and will serve local customers, as well as being responsible for markets in Botswana, Mauritius, Namibia, Tanzania and Zambia.
Read more...John Thompson and BECS partner to deliver biomass energy solutions ACTOM Electrical Machines
News
John Thompson, a division of ACTOM and South Africa’s leading provider of industrial energy solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Berkeley Energy Corporate Solutions, a specialist developer and supplier of biomass energy projects. Together, the companies aim to accelerate the deployment of reliable, renewable steam solutions to industrial customers across Africa.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.