Every industrial facility has inherent safety risks, and many are preventable with a little forward thinking and due diligence. Burns, product spills, fires, heat exhaustion and scalding hot water in safety lines are all safety issues that are caused by either the lack of, or poor maintenance of insulation. Unfortunately, many maintenance and plant managers are either unaware of, or haven’t yet used, a proven insulation solution that offers many different types of personnel protection in a coating form.
Mascoat has recently proven, in a study presented to NACE, that it’s hallmark thermal insulating coating, Industrial-DTI, is capable of protecting personnel from burns up 375˚F (190˚C) to ASTM C1055 & C1057 standards. Anyone who has touched a DTI coated surface knows that they can keep their hand on it much longer than the required 5 seconds. What many don’t realize is what this technology means to many other areas of a facility with regards to safety. Burns aren’t the only injury that can be prevented by Mascoat’s innovative product line, especially in the coming summer months.
One lesser-known standard that has caught the attention of Safety Managers lately is ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2009. It is the American National Standard for Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, and many parts of it define that emergency water lines cannot be above 100˚F (38˚C). While most people might not give this much thought, imagine needing an emergency shower on the US Gulf Coast in sweltering August and the lines aren’t insulated. The water can be upwards of 140˚F (60˚C). Mascoat has applications showing that the water was brought down to safer, more tolerable temperatures after application of the coating to the pipes.
Fires are another potential risk that can be detrimental and possibly fatal. Each Mascoat coating is Class A Fire-Rated and will not contribute to fire; however applying Mascoat’s coating to a fire suppression system’s electrical box can help minimize damage if there is a fire, and even save lives. The hot summer sun can heat up the electrical boxes storing the fire control systems to the point that the internal electronics short out, preventing them from working and activating fire suppression devices. One simple application of Mascoat on the electrical boxes helps to greatly reduce solar loading and the chance of these vital electronics from shorting out and ensure the fire suppression system remains in good working order.
Heat exhaustion in general can be a huge problem for employers in warmer climates. Many facilities have metal fabrication buildings that are intended to keep workers in the shade, but end up putting them in a confined area that absorbs radiant heat and drives up interior temperatures. These buildings can be coated with Mascoat’s commercial grade coating, WeatherBloc-IC. In most cases, the internal temperatures are brought down to within 10˚F of ambient temperature, making for a much more comfortable, and safer, work environment.
Heat exhaustion can also occur when working near hot units. Some plants only allow personnel to work close to a hot unit for a short amount of time to protect the employee from the effects of heat. Mascoat Industrial-DTI is not only used to prevent workers from being burned, but also to help shield them from the dangerous heat emanating from equipment. By installing the coating, managers can make better use of their employees’ time while keeping them safe.
These are just a few of the ways Mascoat can help make your facility safer for both you and those who work around you. To learn more about how you can improve safety practices your facility, contact us today.