Veridata

Safety data is critical in the definition of safe operating conditions for material handling and processing across all industries as it underpins the design and specification of safety systems. The EU Directive, ATEX 137, implemented as DSEAR 2002 in the UK, places considerable emphasis on understanding the fire and explosion properties of the materials you are handling or processing. Therefore, it is essential that your existing data is valid.

Your Benefits

Whilst you would expect data derived from a reputable source to be reliable, there may be many occasions where the validity of data may be questionable. Such circumstances include:

• Old data obtained using testing standards which have subsequently changed or been withdrawn
• Data obtained using invalid methods (e.g. combustible dust data which is not verified within the 20-L sphere)
• Materials which, by virtue of evolving changes in manufacturing methods, may exhibit markedly different properties compared with the time when the existing data was obtained
  • Significant differences in safety test results may occur due to changes in particle size, moisture content, particle shape, composition, impurity profile, etc.
• Occasions where the source of the original data is unknown
• Data which is questionable or untrusted (or simply requires confirmation)
• Data obtained from literature which is to be applied to a specific material manufactured by a specific method
  • Past examples indicate that literature data can be appreciably different from experimental data for any substance. Indeed, in most cases, conflicting literature data exists for a single substance.

If the basis of safety for your process or operation relies on material safety data, verification may be an important aspect in gaining confidence and confirming that the design basis is adequate. Erroneous data may lead to the over-design of safety provisions, resulting in unnecessary costs in equipment and time. Conversely, it could lead to the under-design of safety systems and increase the risk of fire and/or explosion on plant. The importance of having the correct data is clear.

Our Approach

Key areas to assess would be ignition sensitivity and explosion risk/ severity;

• Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE)
• Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT of a dust cloud and dust layer)
• Minimum Explosion Concentration (MEC)
• Limiting Oxygen Concentration (LOC)

Our verification procedure involves:

• FREE review of the original test report for your first 10 data samples
• Confirmation that the test method is correctly specified to meet the required data application.
• Confirmation whether the test standard remains applicable and, if not, do the intervening changes affect the validity of the data?
• Providing written confirmation of the validity of the test data or specifying a test program to obtain valid data.

Although there is no charge for the data review of your first 10 samples, a small fee would be made for the provision of a 'verification statement', over and above the written confirmation above, and to review further sample data. If re-testing is advisable, we will consult with you over the most appropriate test programme based on the volume of work and the safety range tests that match your needs. We have a number of special test programs to compliment and build on the existing test data to make these as cost effective as possible where further testing is required. This can, in many cases, avoid the need to undertake the full testing; thus minimising sample volumes & higher costs.

Why DEKRA?

• We are a global company with extensive knowledge and resources.
• We have become the first choice for companies looking for a reliable partner to deal with process safety issues in general and the challenges of combustible dust in particular.
• We have ISO 9001 accreditation and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) approved laboratories.
• We are process safety experts and support you with the highest qualifications, experience and a real passion for teamwork in developing sustainable safety solutions.