Pyroban Corp in North America is offering explosion-proof (EX) conversions on used equipment as an addition to its previous explosion-protection service for new forklifts.
"Most recent diesel and electric forklifts can be converted, but we stipulate that they must be in good working condition and be shipped to us clean and free of any contaminants, toxic or allergen materials," says Robert Zuiderveld, general manager of Pyroban in Bloomfield.
Pyroban can handle a conversion in Bloomfield, generally with a six-week to 12-week lead time, and service can occur through a Pyroban-authorised original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dealership.
An OEM dealer must conduct an equipment assessment in advance of Pyroban agreeing to the conversion. If an OEM dealer has provided maintenance, the equipment must be less than two to three years old. If a forklift is refurbished and factory recertified, Pyroban may convert units that are up to six years old.
Zuiderveld notes the 2009 dust emphasis progress report of the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said powered industrial trucks were the number three reason for OSHA violations.
"In the current economy, the financial burden to small and mid-size companies who are told to replace and upgrade entire equipment fleets can be devastating and the alternative of facing OSHA 'with full intent' citations or experiencing a catastrophic event are not much more appealing," Zuiderveld says. "Working with these companies to establish a fleet management program and allowing them source equipment from the existing fleet for conversion can mean the continued operation of a company while reducing their exposure to fires and explosions."
Forklifts can ignite flammable atmospheres through hot surfaces, the electrics, static and other sources such as the engine. Pyroban conversions provide either active or passive protection ensuring that the equipment cannot be the source of an ignition.
In addition to converting forklifts, Pyroban has certified solutions for skid steers, man lifts, wheel loaders and sweepers.
Parent firm Pyroban Group Ltd of Shoreham-by-Sea in south east England has offered EX conversion of used equipment in Europe since 1972, China since 2006 and North America starting now. Outside the US, Pyroban conversion work and manufacturing occurs in Shoreham-by-Sea; Hendrik Ido Ambacht, the Netherlands; and Suzhou, China.
Pyroban began in 1969 as a post-accident project at Imperial Chemical Industries, now a subsidiary of Akzo Nobel NV. Phil Tyrer formed Power Research Ltd in 1972 to offer prototype design and development techniques to prevent industrial equipment from creating an explosion in a flammable atmosphere, and the company's name was changed to Pyroban in 1974.
In 1980, Pyroban pioneered gas detection on battery-powered electric vehicles such as forklifts, facilitating their use in the presence of a flammable gas or vapour.