ARGUS
8
Installation & Operating Instructions
FK 75C and FK 76C
Safety Information
2.6
Ball Valve as Pressure Equipment
A valve is pressure bearing equipment usually integrated into a piping system. Any hazard for persons or for the
environment which might arise from the pressurized
substances (“fluids”) being transported within the pipeline system
must be eliminated.
In Europe, Directive 2014/68/EU, i.e. the
”European Pressure Equipment Directive” (PED), and the corresponding laws
and standards govern design, material selection, manufacture and conformity assessment of pressure equipment for
the European market. ASME B16.34 e.g. and the associated standards as well as the pertinent publications of the
American Petroleum Institute provide widely accepted rules and guidelines for qualified valve design and production.
Material selection, design, calculation, and quality assurance during material procurement, in production and on
finished products are the main guarantors to eliminate pressure-related hazards when the ball valves are used as
intended.
The ball valve must be designed and qualified in compliance with all statutory legal regulations at the location
of installation.
DANGER of Pressure Hazards
The manufacturer nameplate permanently attached to the ball valve body
indicates the operating limits of the equipment. The maximum permissible
pressure and the maximum permissible temperature must never be
exceeded. The substances transported and treated must comply with the
specification applied for the valve design. Legislation, directives, and
regulations must be followed.
2.7
Use in Potentially Explosive Atmosphere
ARGUS ball valves are generally suitable for operation in potentially explosive atmospheres. When used as intended,
the ball valves do not have their own potential sources of ignition and are therefore not "equipment" as defined by
Article 1 of Directive 2014/34/EU (European "ATEX Directive
”) e.g..
DANGER in Hazardous
“Ex Area”
In the case of potentially explosive atmospheres, the specific limit values
applicable to the hazardous area must be observed. This relates in
particular to the permissible fluid temperature or valve surface
temperature.
The personnel entrusted with installation and operation in potentially explosive
atmospheres must be adequately qualified and must wear a personal protection
equipment suitable for explosive atmospheres. All applicable laws, directives
and regulations for hazardous areas must be followed.
2.8
Automated Ball Valve
– Safety Aspects
When the ball valve is equipped with a pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic actuation systems, particular risks arise from
the automated functioning, the operation of the instruments, or at the function test.
The valve must never be operated when uninstalled from the pipeline.
WARNING: Risk of Injury when operating outside pipeline
Automated ball valves may only be operated when installed in a pipeline.
Outside the pipeline, the actuation system shall be stored in an
unpressurized and de-energized state.
In case a function test of the uninstalled unit is necessary, the interior of
the valve must be capped in a way that no limbs can enter. Safe distance
must be kept from moving parts.
The personnel entrusted with installation, connection, and operation of the units must be particularly qualified for the
specific automation and instrumentation.
Electric hazards must be avoided. Uncontrolled pneumatic or hydraulic energy may cause severe injuries.
Instrumentation and actuation components must be suitable for the operating environment.
It is essential that the safety instructions concerning each component are followed. As a rule, the manufacturer
nameplate on instrumentation and actuator as well as the user instructions must be strictly observed.
