Regarding the plan for isolating the tower via blind flanges during maintenance, how is the tower to be isolated when people need to enter it?
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This post was last edited by 328104062 on 2015-8-10 at 10:51. 1. Isolate only the nitrogen blind flange. 2. Isolate both the nitrogen blind flange and the flare. 3. Isolate nitrogen, the flare, and the underground sludge pipelines. 4. Install blind flanges against the wall at all the flange connections of a single tower (except at the discharge port, inlet, and top vent). What do you do in such situations? Are there any relevant inspection and maintenance standards? ? Different departments and different people have varying understandings of safety; at present, there is no unified view on this matter. Those who take action are slower than those who just talk:Q
To carry out maintenance work inside the tower, it is mandatory to use blind flanges to isolate the pipeline connections at the inlet and outlet points, to conduct three levels of verification, and to obtain an appropriate work permit for operating inside the pressure vessel before any related tasks can be carried out.
This post was last edited by 328104062 on 2015-8-10 at 11:10. Strict isolation using blind flanges at the entrances and exits of pipelines – what does \"strict\" mean in this context? Are there any maintenance standards that mention this? Are they all flanges? ?
We require that all pipes and conduits in towers and vessels that are in contact with the outside world be isolated using blind flanges; for example, safety valve flare lines, instrument drain lines, and pump drain lines must all be equipped with such blind flanges, and so on. Sinopec has specific standard requirements for maintenance work.
It generally needs to be added, that is, the fourth point mentioned by the original poster
First, it is essential to ensure a complete cut-off; this is the most critical step. After that, procedures such as ventilation, explosion detection, oxygen level measurement, and the issuance of work permits must be followed in accordance with safety regulations.
For routine maintenance, all media should be isolated at the boundary area using blind flanges; it is necessary to verify that these blind flanges have been installed properly. After that, air samples from within the confined space should be analyzed regularly before proceeding with any work, which should ensure safety.
During maintenance, blind plates must be installed on all pipelines entering and leaving the device (except for air and water pipelines). Once these blind flanges are installed, no danger will arise. As for whether towers and containers need to be completely isolated from the outside world, this is generally not necessary, but regular gas analysis is essential. If there is a sludge tank inside the unit, blind flanges need to be installed on the pipelines leading to and from the sludge tank. Of course, the oil tank must first have its oil removed and be purged thoroughly.
Here, we must use blind plates, no matter what kind of wires it is. So many accidents have shown that even the slightest carelessness can lead to an accident; safety comes first – we can afford to have no accidents right now. . . .
If all of the above are from management or executive departments, it seems there is no unified opinion among them. Then I wonder if there are any specific standards and guidelines, as it will be difficult to carry out tasks when opinions are not aligned
For work in confined spaces involving 30871, the regulations are clear: isolation is mandatory.