Intrinsically Safe Mobile Computing In The Paint Shop Manufacturing Operations

Intrinsically safe mobile computing in the paint shop projects needs some thought and planning. It’s important to ensure safety while maintaining necessary computing functions which are in many cases adopted to improve process workflow. The process of manufacturing paint can involve a variety of chemicals which are often stored in drums or other containers. Using barcodes to track which product is which and to verify compliance.

The areas where these chemicals are stored and mixed are classified as hazardous locations because the chemicals are highly combustible. In many scenarios electronic equipment used in these areas, including any computing devices, must be officially certified “intrinsically safe”.

The paint shop would typically be divided into zones based on the frequency and duration of the presence of explosive atmospheres. Zones 0, 1, and 2 denote areas where flammable gases are present, with Zone 0 being the most hazardous. Getting the right advice to conduct a thorough risk assessment is essential to identify potential ignition sources and assess the probability and consequences of a potential explosion.

This helps in determining appropriate safety measures and equipment selection for the manufacturing environment. Static electricity can pose a significant ignition risk in paint shops. Implementing measures such as grounding and bonding of equipment, conducting regular static electricity checks, and using anti-static materials can help mitigate this risk.

Ventilation systems should be designed to safely extract and control the concentration of flammable vapors within the paint shop. It should comply with ATEX requirements and be properly maintained to ensure effectiveness.

Intrinsically Safe Mobile Computing In The Paint Shop How Can We Help

1. Understanding Mobile Computing Intrinsic Safety: Intrinsic safety is a design technique applied to electrical equipment to prevent the release of sufficient energy, either electric or thermal, to ignite a hazardous atmosphere. This is achieved by ensuring that the equipment operates at levels of power and temperature low enough that ignition cannot occur. More. Many devices exist to allow workers to perform computing tasks on the  move in such areas. They can be specialist cases to support the use of an iPad or will a purpose built Windows or Android units be required.
2. Certification: Ensure that the mobile computer you are using is certified for your region as intrinsically safe for the specific hazardous environment it will be used in. Certification typically involves testing and compliance with relevant safety standards such as ATEX  for Europe or UL in United States.
3. Design Considerations: Intrinsically safe computers are designed with several features to prevent ignition in hazardous atmospheres. These may include:
   • Limiting energy levels: The computer is designed to operate at low voltages and currents to prevent sparking.
   • Encapsulation: Components that could potentially cause sparks are encapsulated to prevent contact with the hazardous atmosphere.
   • Ingress Protection (IP) rating: The computer may have a high IP rating to prevent dust and moisture ingress, which could compromise its safety.
   • Docks and other accessories may need to be positioned in other areas of a facility to maintain hazardous certification.
   • What are the Operating System preferences of the IT team?
4. Regular Maintenance: Once installed we can help you come up with a schedule for regular inspection and maintenance of the intrinsically safe computer which is essential to ensure continued safe operation. This may include checking for damage, verifying proper grounding if mounted and ensuring that protective measures are still effective. Mobile computers rated as Intrinsically safe cannot be modified or repaired in the field and would need to be returned to a service centre if they become damaged or cease working.
5. Usage: Once installed, an intrinsically safe mobile computer can be used for various tasks within the paint shop, such as:
   • Process monitoring and control: Monitoring and controlling painting processes to ensure quality and safety.
   • Data logging and analysis: Collecting data on painting operations for analysis and optimization.
   • Integration with ERP and legacy systems.
   • Communication: Facilitating communication between different parts of the paint shop or with external systems.

By following these steps, intrinsically safe mobile computing in the paint shop can be effectively utilized in an explosive atmosphere, enabling necessary computing tasks while maintaining a high level of safety. Check out our Zone 1 and Zone 2 devices here.