Explosion protection: Assistant for intelligent accident prevention from Linde

Mar 14, 2021 Warehousing Ireland Materials Handling, News, Safety Comments Off on Explosion protection: Assistant for intelligent accident prevention from Linde

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Forklifts that warn each other of potential collisions, automatically reduce their speed and know whether or not they are allowed to enter a specific warehouse area: The intelligent Linde Safety Guard assistance system is now also available for explosion-protected industrial trucks used in ATEX zones 2/22. Its various functions help fleet operators in the chemical, pharmaceutical or food industries to avoid accidents that can have particularly serious consequences in sensitive environments. 

In explosion-protected zones, the prevention of accidents involving industrial trucks plays an even greater role than in normal warehouse or production areas, because there is a risk of hazardous substances being released and, in the worst case, an explosion caused which could have far-reaching consequences for people and infrastructure.  “Explosion proof trucks supplied by Linde Material Handling fully comply with the ATEX Directives on zone protection but can be equipped with many of the standard options and safety devices fitted to ‘standard’ trucks’,” says Hoyame Saber, Business Development Director at Linde Material Handling (UK) Ltd.

Linde Safety Guard can now be selected as a customer-specific solution for all explosion-proof electric forklifts offered by the material handling specialist. The assistance system is designed to help with particularly frequent situations having risk potential – such as collisions of vehicles at blind intersections or in front of rack aisles where visibility is poor. Equipped with a “Truck Unit” certified for zones 2/22, the explosion-protected industrial trucks recognize each other and automatically slow down as soon as they reach a specified minimum distance. In addition, speed limits in complete halls or on certain sections are a frequent requirement for accident prevention in ATEX areas. Zone markers on walls and ceilings automatically slow down all equipment to a predefined speed.

Equally important is compliance with access restrictions to ATEX zones. In this case, the Linde Safety Guard acts as a “gatekeeper” that allows only explosion-protected vehicles to enter these areas. If the operator of a standard truck attempts to cross the imaginary threshold, the truck brakes to creep speed. The gatekeeper can be coupled with a projector that displays a large ATEX warning symbol on the floor, indicating entry into a sensitive zone.

The innovative Linde Safety Guard assistance system is based on ultra-wideband technology and operates in the high-frequency range. Its great advantage is that the signal passes through walls and does not affect other networks such as WLAN, Bluetooth or RFID.

Linde Material Handling GmbH, a KION Group company, is a globally operating manufacturer of forklift trucks and warehouse trucks, and a solutions and service provider for intralogistics. With a sales and service network that spans more than 100 countries, the company is represented in all major regions around the world.

 

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