Safe & Secure Locking Systems For Explosive Atmospheres In The Rail & Utility Industries
Published 11 Oct 2019
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uploaded by Chris Dodds | Thorne & Derrick Sales Marketing Manager
Battery Rooms
Thorne & Derrick International, based in the UK, recently signed a Sole UK Distributor Agreement with regional exclusivity to the North East of England for the SecurEx range of ATEX & IECEx Certified access control and security products – these high security locking systems are specified to provide asset security against vandalism, theft and damage in hot-spot crime areas and workplace locations with potentially explosive atmospheres.
High Security, High Risk
Door Locking & Security Systems
Due to a recent spike in criminal activity on the UK rail industry there has been an urgent requirement to improve security and protection to critical sections of railway stations and infrastructure – this includes main battery rooms categorised as CNI sites.
The site is both a Critical National Infrastructure security risk with a potential explosive atmosphere risk due to the dangers of venting battery gas presenting flammable risks.
According to the ATEX Directive this location is categorised as a Zone 1 hazardous area location due to the incidence and duration of a flammable gas atmosphere likely to occur occasionally in normal operation. This could occur in the battery room because of repair, maintenance operations, or leakage as well as deliberate criminal intent.
61,000 crimes were reported on the UK Rail Network in 20187-2018 – 9% of criminal damage was attributed to Malicious Mischief, f1.
Obviously, this is a high security area requiring high security hazardous area doors and locking systems.
To combat crime and ensure site safety a Sx Ex Abryll in a SATE handle escape with LPCB Level 4 configuration was supplied – the lock was fitted to an Abloy High Security Steel door.
This lock is the only high security lock with ATEX & IECEx certification.
Product Information âž¡ High Security Locks for Zone 1 ATEX Battery Rooms
SX EX ABRYLL High Security Lock: Single Point Locking System can be configured with a multitude of functions including Panic and Emergency Escape, Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Deadlocking. Certified for Ex Zones 1, 2, 21 and 22 hazardous areas.
Glossary
CNI: Critical National Infrastructure – national Infrastructure are those facilities, systems, sites, information, people, networks and processes, necessary for a country to function and upon which daily life depends. In the UK, there are 13 national infrastructure sectors including Transport.
ATEX: ATmosph̬res EXplosives Рthe ATEX directive consists of two EU directives describing what equipment and work space is allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere.
LPCB: Loss Prevention Certification Board – the leading international Certification Body in the fields of security and fire protection.
f1 Source Williams Rail Review – the Williams Rail Review was established in September 2018 to look at the structure of the whole rail industry and the way passenger rail services are delivered. The review will make recommendations for reform that prioritise passengers’ and taxpayers’ interests.
Further Reading
Credit: Williams Report
Rail Cable Accessories, Electrification & Installation Equipment
Thorne & Derrick stock an extensive range of 400V-33kV Rail Cable Accessories & Power Distribution Sytems including feeder pillars to contractors undertaking Low Voltage Power Distribution, HV Electrification & Substations, DC Traction & Networks, OLE and Track Feeder Cable Renewals – complete range of Network Rail PADS approved track terminations, cable joints, cable repair and connection products up to 25kV, including 3M Cold Shrink, Pfisterer CONNEX and Nexans Euromold products.
Full range of Cable Pulling Equipment & Products to ensure safe and efficient of rail cables in to cable ducts and containment infrastructure including cable troughs.
Thorne & Derrick are Approved Vendors to Network Rail and TfL.
