The Durban branch of the SAIMC held their monthly technology meeting on 5 July at the Premier Splendid Hotel, as always. Liza Smit, a process engineer from Proconis, talked us through risk-based fire and gas detection mapping. Gas detection started with canaries in cages, but has evolved to use complex technology instead. In 2015 a UK HSE study of data showed that with eight years of offshore data, only 60% of known releases have been detected. The lack of reliable detection has pushed the industry to move to more sophisticated methodologies for detector placement.
In the last decade, several international and local standards were issued in support of the implementation of risk-based fire and gas detection, and software was developed to the extent where today mapping has become easy to do. Proconics has completed several risk-based studies and the purpose of the presentation was to explain the methodology and share the results of real projects.
Liza is a process engineer with a Master’s in Engineering Management and 20 years’ experience in chemical and process engineering. She started her career in the oil and gas/petrochemical sector and gained experience in various fields of the manufacturing value chain. She subsequently worked across multiple sectors, including the fertiliser, nuclear, thermal power, and mining industries, both locally and abroad. Over the last decade, Liza served as a subject matter expert in process safety, conducting quantitative risk assessments (QRA)s, risk reviews (HAZOPs/HAZIDS etc.) and specialist studies such as fire and gas mapping, also publishing papers in reputable scientific journals. She is a leader in her field and works closely with cutting-edge software developers for explosion and fire modelling. She gave an interesting and informative presentation, answering questions from the attentive audience clearly and professionally.
The Durban branch would like to thank Proconics for their kind sponsorship.
International robotics conference streams live to Africa
SAIMC
The SAIMC hosted five live-stream viewing events across South Africa for the IEEE International Conference of Robotics and Automation in Vienna, bringing global robotics research and technology directly to local industry and academia.
Read more...From the office of the CEO: Introduction to GRIP SAIMC
SAIMC
Industry has long been concerned about graduates who have no understanding of the modern equipment they will face in industry. This has triggered an investigation into the possibility of creating a facility whereby graduates register with the SAIMC and rotate through all the vendors to obtain experience on modern equipment.
Read more...SAIMC: Durban branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Durban Branch hosted a technology meeting featuring a presentation by Abacus Automation on the practical role of AI in industrial automation, drawing considerable interest from attendees.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
Instrotech recently hosted a technical presentation on load cell technology and applications at the SAIMC Johannesburg Technology Evening, presented by Trevor Salzwedel. The session covered load cell fundamentals, selection and installation, mechanical considerations and calibration methods.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg Golf Day SAIMC
SAIMC
The SAIMC Johannesburg Golf Day on 22 May 2026 brought together 16 four-balls for a day of golf, networking and fundraising, with generous support from sponsors across the instrumentation and control sector.
Read more...SAIMC: Johannesburg branch SAIMC
SAIMC
The Johannesburg Branch had the privilege of being hosted by Phoenix Contact for our technology event in May. Shamil Surbun, BU manager for Automation, presented a CPD-accredited session on ‘From Sensor to Cloud: How SPE and APL Are Transforming Industrial Connectivity’.
Read more...From the office of the CEO: Power Hour goes national SAIMC
SAIMC
South Africa’s automation, control, mechatronics and computer engineering community is changing fast, and the SAIMC is changing with it. I am excited to announce a new national initiative that will reshape how we deliver technical knowledge, strengthen branch identity and bring our community together like never before.
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.
printer friendly version