/INS. Material handling plays a significant role in safety for hazardous environments, whether in mines, chemical and petrochemical plants, oil refineries, gas power plants, waste water treatment plants, paint shops and other industrial sites.

Operating any electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres requires specially-designed and constructed lifting equipment to avoid the risk of explosion posed by gases, liquids, dusts, vapors and other substances. Because of the risks involved, Konecranes adheres to South Africa’s strict safety and quality assurances, and substantiates the quality of Konecranes products by multiple certifications such as the following:

• IECEx
• ATEX
• CSA
• INMETRO
• TR CU

Cranes and hoists for hazardous zones

Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones, according to the frequency and duration of the occurrence of explosive atmospheres. Konecranes offers equipment for Zones 1 and 2 (gas hazardous environments) as well as for Zones 21 and 22 (dust hazardous environments). Electrical equipment in these zones must be housed in an explosion-proof or flameproof enclosure strong enough to contain any explosion without losing its explosion-proof properties.

Konecranes has a comprehensive range of explosion-proof cranes and components drawn from long experience in explosion-proof applications. The range includes industrial cranes, jib cranes, and manual cranes, as well as electric and manual hoists with lifting capacities of up to 160 tons.

EXCXT electric wire rope hoists represent the highest levels of safety and quality in the lifting equipment industry. An innovative mechanical configuration that prevents sparking, combined with state-of-the-art speed control and motor technology, makes the Konecranes EXCXT hoist an industry benchmark.

The Konecranes EXN electric chain hoist is a durable lifting solution that features superior performance and the high level of safety and reliability vital in an explosive atmosphere. The EXN chain hoist has the configuration flexibility to suit a range of hazardous environments, providing a safe and ergonomic daily work area for operators.

Konecranes manual hoists are an economical solution in hazardous environments where electricity is not available or practical. Manual hoists are available for a wide range of load types and offer features to improve work efficiency.

Fast, precise, and safe load handling is of utmost importance when working in a hazardous environment. With its speed and flexibility, the Konecranes EXATB AirBalancer is a great alternative to hoists. Its unique technology enables easy manual manipulation of items, with air pressure as the power source. A wide variety of control systems and optional features provides precise handling and full control over the load.

Safety is the highest priority

Konecranes provides specialised maintenance services and spare parts for all types and makes of industrial cranes, hoists and port equipment, from a single piece of machinery to complete maintenance- and material-handling outsourcing services. The primary objective is to improve safety and productivity in the day-to-day operations of Konecranes customers.

Konecranes provides an extensive range of services to help improve safety, decrease the cost of downtime and increase the productivity of uptime. With a coordinated network of maintenance professionals around the world and here in Southern Africa, Konecranes can service any make of crane and hoist. Konecranes services include inspections, repairs, maintenance, and modernizations of cranes and other lifting equipment worldwide.

Modernizations can provide a complete transformation of an existing crane as an alternative to replacing it. When modernizing lifting equipment for hazardous environments, hoists, trolleys, traveling machinery are usually replaced for increased capacity, speed, duty and load control. Upgrading to a higher EX classification
is also common.

Caption 1: Konecranes EXCXT Wire Rope Hoist crane for Hazardous Environments. © Konecranes

Caption 2: ATEX certification. © Konecranes

Caption 3: EX pendant. © Konecranes

 

Konecranes is a world-leading group of Lifting Businesses™, serving a broad range of customers, including manufacturing and process industries, shipyards, ports and terminals. Konecranes provides productivity-enhancing lifting solutions as well as services for lifting equipment and machine tools of all makes. In 2015, Group sales totaled EUR 2,126 million. The Group has 11,900 employees at 600 locations in 48 countries. Konecranes is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki (symbol: KCR1V).

Further information:

Konecranes PTY LTD South Africa
5 Jurie Street, Alrode, Alberton
P.O.: Box 11713, Randhart 1457
John Macdonald, Service Sales & Marketing Manager
John.macdonald@konecranes.com or phone +27 11 864 2800

Lindy Nauta
E-mail: lindy@houtbaypr.co.za
Tel. +27 21 790 1198, Mobile +27 83 269 9545