The main topics of this presentation are Asset Management and Maintenance, Engineering & Design Safety, Knowledge & Competence – standards and regulations governing the design, selection, installation and maintenance of equipment and systems in potentially hazardous environments provide a framework for ignition control.

Being a framework, they do not define a prescriptive method on how to comply with these requirements, which leads to a variety of practises, even drifting from the overall intent of the initial standards and regulations.

Utilising learnings from onshore and offshore markets, this paper will explore how common practises have led to threats to the integrity of hazardous area installations. It will also explore what effects this had on completion of projects. The paper will highlight how some interpretations of requirements have impacted on supplied equipment, in relation to operational maintenance of hazardous locations. Some common “perceptions” of compliance, such as where differences in understanding has the potential to leave stakeholders exposed, will also be explored.

In conclusion, James Steven will present what is considered to be the key factors to ensure hazardous area installations will be compliant and also how this can be easily demonstrated. Further, he will explain how a compliant approach can improve the safety and operational delivery of hazardous area installations.

James Steven

James Steven is an electrical and electronic engineer with over 20 years’ experience of dealing with hazardous environments and applications. Having worked across the consumer, maritime, oil & gas and nuclear industries has provided a wide range of experience being able to draw upon the best practices across these sectors. He now holds the role of Development & Innovation Manager Product Assurance at DNV GL UK where he leads the Business Development and New Service/Application Development for the oil & gas supply chain markets. He has been key in extending DNV GL’s Hazardous area Services to the UK.

For more information, visit: https://www.dnvgl.com/