Due to technological improvements over the years, fire risks in many storage facilities, particularly those utilizing gas, have gone way down in recent decades. Such risks do still exist, however, and create millions of dollars in property damage – but can also be avoided through proper care, equipment use and related factors.
At Gordo Sales, we’re happy to provide a wide range of cylinder gas heater options that are not only high-quality, but also help limit fire and other safety risks for facilities working with compressed gasses. What are some of the top factors we or any other heating professional will be strongly considering while ensuring your storage facility is free of storage tank fire risks? This two-part blog will go over several.
For starters, no matter which kind of gas heaters, storage tanks or related items you’re dealing with, standard inspections and maintenance are very important to ensuring fire risks don’t develop – and for keeping your system running optimally, of course. These kinds of checkups help limit any risk of sediment buildup, long-term wear-and-tear or other issues that may increase fire concerns.
Basic maintenance will also include checks for items like pressure release devices, temperature monitors and others meant to improve safety. It will also cover all seals and connections involved in your system, ensuring there are no major leaks – where gas is involved, these are often some of the largest fire hazards. Finally, you should regularly be visually inspecting your tank for any corrosion, damage or peeling.
Stepping back a little to tank selection, it’s vital to match the type of heater or other materials you’re purchasing with the conditions and compounds in the storage area. For instance, many gas storage facilities will utilize LNG tanks, or liquid natural gas tanks, that are kept above-ground and are double-insulated. However, there may be others you use, and knowing their qualities plays a big role in preventing fire risks.
While making this selection, plus any other equipment choices you’re considering, it’s also very important to keep NEMA ratings top of mind. NEMA, or National Electrical Manufacturers Association, is the group that sets all the basic guidelines and standards for important safety and fire prevention areas: Uniform ratings, product testing, product performance and even construction areas. For gas facilities, common NEMA ratings include NEMA 4 (moisture-resistant materials) and NEMA 7 (explosion-proof), both of which have fairly obvious applications in this field. There are also NEMA-related digital control panels that allow for precise control of all heating applications, control that is another tool for limiting fire risks.
For more on how to prevent fire risks in any gas heater or gas storage facility, or to learn about our immersion heaters and how our products will help you here, speak to the staff at Gordo Sales today.
