Optimus Solutions: NFPA Inspections
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency During NFPA Combustion System Inspections
What is NFPA?
Equipment with a combustion system should be inspected yearly to ensure that everything is up to standard and not at risk of catastrophic failure. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes guidelines for maintenance and inspections. By following their recommendations, companies can be confident that their burner and heating systems are in good condition and are not at significant risk for failure. Optimus Solutions has years of experience inspecting burners and has helped their customers recognize fixable issues that then saved the customers money and downtime while improving the safety of the system.
The National Fire Protection Association is an organization that develops safety standards and codes for equipment that has a potential fire risk. These codes are implemented across a wide variety of industries and have increased the overall safety of the industrial landscape. NFPA 86, Standard for Ovens and Furnaces, covers “Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D ovens, dryers, and furnaces; thermal oxidizers; and any other heated enclosure used for processing of materials and related equipment” (NFPA 86, 1.1, 2015). Rotary kilns and dryers fall under this scope, as they are enclosed and used for processing materials. Knowing exactly how these regulations apply to rotary equipment can be challenging, so it is vital for an expert like Optimus to handle inspections and repairs. Optimus is uniquely positioned to perform NFPA 86 inspections with their specialized understanding of rotary process equipment.
The NFPA recommends inspecting machinery once a year, which provides multiple benefits. First, it increases safety. Lack of compliance can create a dangerous work environment. Failure to maintain equipment can result in fires or explosions that would threaten the lives of employees and severely damage property. Inspections also mean that the system will be in compliance with NFPA guidelines, which are meant to produce ideal conditions for the appropriate equipment. Routine maintenance will also help increase the life expectancy of the components involved. Small, fixable issues can be found before they turn into big issues. Over time, this can improve the overall health of your equipment. Regular NFPA inspections provide many benefits to those who operate rotary kilns and dryers, but they can be challenging and time-consuming for someone who is not used to doing them.
Optimus Efficiency
Optimus Solutions has helped many companies inspect their combustion systems and make changes to improve efficiency. Optimus can inspect a unit with a one-day on-site visit. This visit begins with a visual inspection of the unit and combustion system, where their combustion specialists note any model and part numbers. The numbers are checked against a database of parts that Optimus maintains, which helps ensure accuracy. They then check each component to make sure that they are working properly. This includes a bubble test which checks for leaks throughout the system. The NFPA 86 Standards include a checklist for inspections, which includes checking air-fuel ratios, testing alarm systems, inspecting burners and pilots for proper operation, and testing safety shut-off valves (B.4, 2015). When they complete the inspection, Optimus develops a list of recommendations for the customer, which might include replacing components or updating the entire system. These inspections also help Optimus find ways to optimize the system, which can save their customers lots of money. Some of the common issues Optimus sees are suboptimal air-fuel ratios, failed components, leaks, and potential process improvements. Having Optimus conduct the yearly NFPA inspections can be a great way for companies to stay in compliance and learn about ways to make improvements to their equipment!
