A total of 20 nominees have been shortlisted across four categories for the Hazardex Awards 2024, designed to recognise excellence in the hazardous area sector. The winners will be announced during a Gala Dinner at Hazardex Live 2024 on 28 February in Harrogate. Voting is now open!

Below, you can find the details of the five nominees for Category 2: Technical Innovation – Sponsored by C&P Engineering Services

An innovative product or system for use in hazardous area environments.

Voting closed on 2 February.

Voting rules:

* 1. The competition is open to all Hazardex journal, eNewsletter, social media, and website readers & users
* 2. Voters register their votes by fully completing all fields and use an email from a business address only
* 3. Voters are limited to one vote per category
* 4. Nominees are not permitted to vote for their own company/organisation
* 5. All votes will remain confidential



The nominees for the Technical Innovation Award are:

a. Fike Europe – Fike Blue

Fike Blue is an independently tested and proven solution to eliminate thermal runaway and prevent re-ignition in lithium battery installations. When a heat anomaly is detected, a releasing panel activates the cylinder to flow Fike Blue throughout the piping network. However, only in the module where the fire is located will the nozzle open and discharge the liquid. Fike Blue then immerses the overheated cells within the module. With a boiling point of more than 400°C, the liquid absorbs the intense exothermic heat produced from thermal runaway without breaking down. The temperatures for all cells dramatically decrease over the course of several minutes until the event and chance for re-ignition is over.

Website: https://fikeblue.com/

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b. i.safe MOBILE – Valve Sense IS-VS1A.1

Valve Sense is the first mobile and smart inspection system for leakage detection in valves for hazardous areas. The Valve Sense mobile inspection system IS-VS1A.1 for leak detection in valves combines high-quality acoustic emission sensors with the 5G smartphone IS540.1 and the Senseven software. Intuitive operation, automatic leak detection, structured data management and a high-quality processor for fast data processing make it a unique maintenance tool in demanding industrial environments.

Website: https://www.isafe-mobile.com/en/inspection/valve-sense/is-vs1a1

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c. Pratley Electrical – Flameproof Ex d Envirobox®

Pratley’s Flameproof Ex d Envirobox® is a world first Non Corrosive Group One Flameproof Junction Box. Made from a tough, reinforced engineering polymer, meaning complete corrosion resistance. It is the world's first, internationally patented and registered product design. Third party tested to 4000kPa internal pressure after 2x20 Joule impacts at -40°C and IP66/68 rated to a depth of 300m. The entries can be made to any approved thread form and size smaller than or equal to M25 meaning the box is extremely versatile. It is fully certified to SANS, EN and IECEx Standards for use in Flameproof applications on surface (Group IIB+H2) or mining (Group I) in Zone 1, 2, 21 & 22.

Website: https://www.hazardexonthenet.net/article/199126/Corrosion-resistant-flameproof-junction-box-is-a-world-first.aspx

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d. Red Lion – N-Tron® Series NT5000 Gigabit industrial switches

The NT5000 switches and their gigabit speed are designed to improve network security and reliability for industrial organizations of all sizes and environments. They maximize operating performance and system uptime through seamless integration, offer advanced management and diagnostic capabilities as well as network redundancy and layered security, and help organizations to meet with information technology and operational technology needs for dependable communication.

The N-Tron® Series NT5000 switches are available in 6, 8, 10, 16 and 18 port configurations in all copper or a mix of copper and fibre options that can meet specific installation requirements. With a durable, metal enclosure and wide temperature range, the NT5000 is a compact solution for reliable operation in harsh, industrial environments, including factory automation, robotics, food and beverage, oil and gas, marine and rail.

Website: redlion.net/nt5000

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e. Scame – COMPACT-EX range of local control stations

Compact – EX Series is a range of local control stations for applications in Zone 1/2 (Gas) and 21/22 (Dust). The control stations are available in two sizes of enclosures designed to house a maximum of 3 Ex eb operators. However, it is possible to couple two casings together by means of a joint, obtaining configurations for up to 4 operators. In addition to the pre-configured versions, SCAME offers a dedicated design and production service based on specific customer needs. Soon to be available in the UK.  

Website: https://www.scame.com/web/scame-global/g/compact-ex-gd-series-637733

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Details of those nominated for the remaining awards can be found by clicking on the category titles below:

Category 1: Contribution to Safety – Sponsored by CEF
A product, system or service which has made a significant contribution to safety in hazardous area environments.

Category 3: Net Zero Innovation
 - Sponsored by Connectivity
An innovation for hazardous environments that helps lower emissions and carbon footprints. 

Category 4: Customer Service – Sponsored by TÜV Rheinland
A company or corporate division that has provided excellent customer service in the sector over the last two years.

Delegates Award
- Sponsored by DNV

This award is an additional category open only to companies shortlisted for the categories listed above. It is voted on by delegates and attendees at Hazardex Live 2024 and provides their opinion for the overall best hazardous area sector product, system or service. The award will be presented at the Gala Dinner and celebrated in our May 2024 issue.

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