Image Designed by Freepik
Intrinsically Safe Scales and Their Importance
Weighing scales are an inseparable part of any manufacturing as well as services facility. These are the instruments required for measuring the overall weight of the objects. Weighing scales have been used in industries for ages. However, with the advancement in technology traditional industrial scales have undergone a significant transformation. Apart from measuring weight, today’s scales include many other advanced functionalities. Additionally, advanced functionalities have made them much safer to use.
Many industries are required to handle, transport hazardous material for shipping or performing manufacturing processes. In most of these instances, electronic scales are used as they are easy to read. But electrically operated weighing scales can be dangerous when handling hazardous materials.
In order to make handling safe for individuals, industries prefer using ‘Intrinsically Safe’ weighing scales.
-
What ‘Intrinsically Safe’ Term Signify?
If you have browsed through weighing scale catalogs or websites, you must have come across scales termed as ‘Intrinsically Safe’ or IS. As the name suggests, these scales are meant to be safer than their non-IS counterparts. Despite being closely familiar with the functionalities of intrinsically safe
commercial weighing scales, many people fail to distinguish its peculiarities.
Thus here is a detailed overview of what ‘Intrinsically Safe’ means.
-
What is ‘Intrinsically Safe’?
Intrinsically Safe is an approach with which weighing instruments will be working in prospective hazardous environments. For this purpose, designing systems to eliminate oxygen (by purging with inert gas) or isolating potential fire sources are the two options. However, you would not be able to distinguish between an intrinsically safe scale and any other basic scale from its physical appearance. Here internal construction is the key differentiating factor.
Meanwhile, hazardous environments may include areas exposed to flammable gases, vapors, or any other element that is declared as hazardous by the local governing authority. Pharmaceutical, chemical as well as agriculture industry, oil refineries involve working with hazardous materials every day. Hence, these industries frequently use IS products. The purpose of inherently safe equipment is to keep temperatures low and eliminate the possibility of sparks igniting.
One might wonder, do these structural changes affects the accuracy of the equipment. Fortunately, these changes do not affect the accuracy of the equipment on any level. Thus these scales provide you with the same amount of efficiency and effectiveness even in the case of
laboratory scales.
-
When is Intrinsically Safe Equipment Required?
As mentioned above, hazardous environments demand instruments that are safe for the operator. Additionally, organizations have to comply with OHSA (Occupational Health and Safety Act) rules and regulations.
-
Importance and Benefits of Using Intrinsically Safe Equipment
Weighing equipment that is intrinsically safe has various obvious advantages, the most important of which is safety.
Besides providing safety, these scales can prove to be cost-effective for industries, as they minimize the possibility of accidents. Additionally, it saves you from the cost of upgrading your equipment from basic to advanced safety functionality.
Last but not the least, intrinsically safe weighing scales are easy to maintain and repair. Thus saving you from a lot of expenditure.
Conclusion:
If your business involves dealing with hazardous materials or requires you to comply with OHSA regulations, feel free to contact us. Our team will assist you in choosing the perfect weighing scale as per your business requirements.
