Masterflex AG and three other hose manufacturers present their own implementation of TRBS 2153 to VTH members
Masterflex AG, Gelsenkirchen - April 2010
Everyone is currently talking about TRBS 2153, the guideline of the Employer's Liability Insurance Association of the Chemical Industry. The previously valid BGR 132 was replaced by TRBS 2153 in April 2009 and contains new criteria for the use of spiral hoses in the various danger zones. The specialist group "Hose and Fittings Technology (SAT) of the Association of Technical Traders (VTH) therefore invited its members and four hose manufacturers to an information day followed by a panel discussion on the subject of "TRBS 2153 - Avoidance of ignition hazards due to electrostatic charge" in Cologne on March 24, 2010.
The background to the event was the presentation of the measures carried out by the individual companies to implement the new regulations with regard to the use of hoses in practice, as there have been different and in some cases misleading statements about the contents of TRBS 2153 in the past.
Four suppliers provide information
In his short presentation, Gerd Osterholt, technical director of Masterflex AG (pictured left), once again outlined the main changes to TRBS 2153 compared to the former BGR 132, as well as the resulting measures for Masterflex AG, which ultimately led to the development of an additional hose series with a permanently acting, antistatic wall material, the Master-PUR A series.
Already in July 2009, Masterflex AG had discussed the changes and the resulting necessary measures on the occasion of an information exchange in Gelsenkirchen together with Dr. Josef Bremen, BG Chemie, one of the "fathers" of the new TRBS 2153, as well as representatives of the working group "SAT", and put them into action at short notice.
In the subsequent panel discussion, the representatives of the four invited manufacturers and Dr. Bremen answered the questions of the numerous participants under the moderation of the chief executive of the VTH, Mr. Vierhaus.
Use of hoses in Ex-zones according to TRBS 2153 Ausg. 4/2009
The new "A" hose types from Masterflex AG are antistatic < 10 to the power of 9 ohms and permanently conductive due to the use of non-migrating antistatic agents. In accordance with TRBS 2153 (Zone 20), these can be used for conveying combustible dusts and bulk materials to dissipate electrostatic charges with grounding of the spiral ends on both sides. Due to the transparency of the hoses, the material being conveyed remains visible.
The new hose series offers an enormous variety of hose variations: Thus, as in Masterflex AG's standard range, light to heavy hose types are available for a wide variety of applications with a wide variety of properties, such as abrasion-resistant, microbe- and hydrolysis-resistant hoses and hoses for use in the food industry. The hoses can be used for the most demanding applications in the entire bulk material handling industry. The various hose designs are available in diameters from DN 16 to DN 500.
TRBS 2153 - What has changed?
Compared to the BGR for applications with hoses, the most important changes in the TRBS are the following specifications:
- No longer is only the hose-surrounding outer area considered as the explosion protection zone to be evaluated, but additionally also the hose inner area.
- The previously entire bulk material/dust area is divided into 2 areas of consideration, namely "non-flammable dusts/bulk materials" and "flammable dusts/bulk materials".
- According to the BetrSichV, TRBS 2152, EX-RL BGR 104, a case-by-case consideration must always be made for zone 0/20, since TRBS 2153 only considers zones 1/21. This consideration must be carried out by the user and then result in corresponding specifications for the hose specification.
For the use of hoses in explosion protection zones, this means that hoses with at least one antistatic wall material must now be used in the new category of the TRBS "combustible dusts/bulk materials". For use with "combustible dusts/bulk materials", a permanently acting antistatic agent that is not dependent on moisture should be used, so that one is free from the lack of moisture and free from the influence of abrasion that occurs during pneumatic transport.
In the case of hoses for use in the food industry, the solution is very complex and is approached with great sensitivity by Masterflex, since in addition to TRBS, compliance with the relevant food regulations must also be met. Masterflex offers a wide range of hoses that can be used in food areas, but individual advice and recommendations should be made for each application.