Instructions in the LMI
Document
DISCUSSION POINTS
Plant Identification
A scheme to uniquely identify all process plant, piping, and
valves should be drawn up. All items should be readily
identifiable on the plant and referenced on the piping and
instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs). In addition, Formal, simple,
easily visible and unambiguous labeling should be provided
wherever mistakes in identification could occur and could result
in significant consequences.
Location of isolation and testing facilities
Unless risk assessment indicates otherwise, isolation and bleed
points should be as close as possible to the plant item.
Concentration of maintenance work in one place aids control of
the isolation arrangements and minimizes the inventory of fluid
to be depressurized/drained. Ensure that bleeds are:
Arranged so that their discharge cannot harm personnel or
plant, and
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Hazardous material can be conveyed to a safe place for
Instructions in the LMI
Document
DISCUSSION POINTS
Access and lighting
Design should enable suitable access to, and lighting of, all
isolation points and associated items. Where barriers need to be
inserted or where sections of plant or pipe work need to be
removed, lifting beams suitable for attachment of portable lifting
appliances, or access for cranes, should be provided.
Human factors
The performance of isolations depends not only on the integrity
of the isolation hardware, but also on the adequacy of the
arrangements for identifying each isolation point, securing the
isolation, proving/monitoring and maintaining overall control of
work.
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Instructions in the LMI
Document
DISCUSSION POINTS
Training and competence
Personnel involved in the isolation of plant and equipment should
be competent to carry out their responsibilities.
They should understand the purpose, principles and practices of
isolation procedures and safety rules
Awareness of the following:
Hazards: A detailed understanding of the potential
consequences of any release of hazardous substances and
hazards on the plant and from adjacent plant.
Documentation: Understand the P&IDs, loop diagrams, cause
and effect diagrams and power supplies applicable to the
isolation.
PTW (permit-to-work): Understand the system of PTW and
isolation certificates in use and know the procedures for issuing
PTW and for identifying what isolations are required. All relevant
persons should have the knowledge of E&M Safety Rule
Handbook.
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Isolation procedures: Good working knowledge of isolation
Instructions in the LMI
Document
IMPLEMENTATION
METHODS OF ISOLATION ARE :
Method 1
A complete disconnection should prevent flow.
e.g. by the removal of a section of pipe work, the removal of an
electrical conductor, or the removal of an electrical switch.
Method 2
A barrier should be inserted to prevent flow.
e.g. by means of a spade or blank in pipelines. This barrier
should be adequate to withstand the maximum pressure
differential. If such a barrier is situated adjacent to a mechanism
such as butterfly valve the barrier should be adequate to sustain,
without failure, any force that the mechanism could exert on it,
should that mechanism be operated inadvertently.
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Instructions in the LMI
Document
IMPLEMENTATION
METHODS OF ISOLATION ARE :
Method 3
A valve should be locked in the closed position with a solid
connection between the locking device and the actual pipe
closure, or a main electrical switch should be locked in the open
position.
1. And
All control, indication and auxiliary power supplies for the valve
operating mechanism or electrical switch should be disconnected
and such disconnections should be protected against
interference, either by locking off or by appropriately worded
warning notices.
2. And
All stored energy capable of operating any mechanism within the
equipment should be reduced to zero.
3. And
All test procedures within the limits of the isolation should be 5
suspended.
Instructions in the LMI
Document
IMPLEMENTATION
It is recommended that isolations within the scope of this LMI
should take the following forms.
Methods 1 and 2 (in order of preference), should be used when
the isolation is expected to be of long duration.
Method 3 should only be used for isolations of short duration, or
changed to method 1 or method 2 as soon as practicable.
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Responsibility Matrix
ACTIVITY Responsibility
The change-over from method 3, either to method 1 or to method
2
The choice of method to be adopted, in a particular case, should
be approved by the station head of O&M, his Deputy or a senior
station officer authorized to make the choice.
Thank
you
