ABLE prescribe Aegex 10 tablet for hazardous area compliance

Aegex 10 Intrinsically Safe (IS) Windows 10 Tablets and Explosion Protection Documentation System (EPDS)

The potential client:

A European chemical manufacturer operates hazardous locations where highly combustible materials are present at varying levels throughout the facility, and thousands of pieces of equipment are in constant operation. The company must keep scrupulous records of all hazardous equipment, documentation and processes to comply with national and international regulations.

The challenge:

The chemical manufacturer is seeking a digital cloud-based solution that will improve the efficiency of storing Hazardous Area Compliance documentation and keeping it up-to-date at all times, as well as making it accessible to all personnel wherever they are. They also would like to track equipment installed in the facility. There is a challenge, however: many personnel are working in or moving in and out of areas classified as ATEX Zone 1 hazardous areas where combustible materials are constantly present. Much of the installed equipment is also located in Zone 1 areas. To access documents and inspect equipment in Zone 1 areas, personnel need a mobile device that is specially certified for those zones.

The requirements:

Under the ATEX 137 (IEC) directive, hazardous location operations like this chemical plant must maintain explosion protection documentation, including:

• Inspections
• Verification dossier
• Lifetime tracking
• Zone classification
• Technology description
• Coordination
• Competency levels
• Training

The chemical manufacturer wants personnel to be able to enter Zone 1 hazardous areas to inspect and document conditions, inventory equipment, and upload reports directly to a company server or share information with appropriate contacts in real time.

The proposed solution:

• Hardware – Aegex 10 Intrinsically Safe Windows 10 Tablet
• Software – Explosion Protection Documentation System (EPDS)

The proposed technology solution for this chemical plant is a tool called the Explosion Protection Documentation System (EPDS) and the Aegex 10 Intrinsically Safe Tablet.

The EPDS system digitises documentation and lifetime tracking of equipment in hazardous area sites so companies can maintain compliance with hazardous area regulation.

Hardware – Aegex 10 Intrinsically Safe Windows 10 Tablet

Using the Windows-based Aegex 10 IS Tablet, operators can enter the most volatile hazardous areas and employ all applicable Windows 10 applications. Certified for ATEX Zone 1 hazardous locations, as well as equivalent areas in North America (UL Class I, II, III – Division 1) and internationally (IECEx Zone 1), the Aegex 10 operates on Wi-Fi or 4G LTE from any hazardous location around the globe on a unified platform.

The 10.1-inch Windows-based tablet is rated IP65 for industrial use, yet is lightweight and has a price mark as low as noncertified devices. Its Windows 10 operating system gives users uniform access to the Microsoft cloud, plus apps and services, including custom-designed software like EPDS.

Software – Explosion Protection Documentation System (EPDS)

Customers favour EPDS because it can be used to save all of their hazardous area data to one location. With EPDS on an Aegex tablet, personnel are able to carry with them all necessary documents for explosion protection standards and regulations and are able to track inventory in real time.

The EPDS system can document mandatory Hazardous Area Compliance records such as:

• Explosion protection documentation
• Zone classification
• Electrical and non-electrical
• Ex installations
• Inspections
• Ignition hazard assessments
• Ex competent colleagues
• Verification Dossier
• Lifetime tracking of all installed devices

The results:

Documentation

Using the Windows-based Aegex 10 Zone 1 Tablet, chemical plant operators can enter the most volatile hazardous areas (ATEX/IECEx Zone 1) and employ the EPDS system to document all equipment and processes. With the Aegex 10 Zone 1 Tablet running the EPDS system, all Hazardous Area Compliance information can be updated in real time and be accessible to all personnel onsite and offsite.

Equipment tracking

In addition to documentation, the EPDS system can track all hazardous area equipment, even in the most volatile zones, when running on the Aegex 10 Tablet.

Near Field Communication (NFC) Tags can be used to identify all installed electrical and non-electrical devices. Because the Windows 10 Aegex tablet can move through all zones, it can scan NFC tags, or take photos of each piece of equipment with the tablet’s intrinsically safe camera, and enter the appropriate information into the EPDS database on the spot without the need for additional equipment.

Operators can also use a number of Windows 10 applications to communicate information about equipment to teammates, such as:

• Opening a Skype for Business line for direct speech and show visually the item in question
• Using Exchange/Outlook email to send photos or other data
• Uploading information to a Microsoft cloud-based platform

The EPDS system is an online, Windows-based tool that is secure, syncs easily with companies’ existing IT systems, and can be used throughout hazardous locations via the Aegex 10.

The user-friendly EPDS + Aegex 10 solution allows users to apply various filters, permissions and competencies to best suit their particular needs. The solution can make documentation and inspections simpler, quicker and more easily accessible, even in hazardous areas.

247able

ABLE’s e-commerce division, 247able, offers the choice between purchasing the Aegex 10 with 4G / Wi-Fi, charger, carry case and stylus included, or alternatively purchasing each product / accessory individually. A docking station for further improved productivity is also available to buy. 247able deliver these products globally, and any in-stock UK mainland order placed before 16:00 will be delivered next day.

If you would like more information regarding this article, please contact us at [email protected] or +44 (0)118 916 9420.