HSENI Safety Alert Reissue - Diferro Calenders - Sublimation Calender Presses
Date published:
Introduction
HSENI have received a Product Safety Report for Diferro Calenders - Sublimation Calender Presses (2402-0018) presenting a serious risk of explosion and fire. Following a second explosion by a Diferro Calender Press an alert is being issued.
Issue
Two catastrophic Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion (BLEVE) incidents have now occurred involving Diferro machines. Evidence suggests that in both cases the machines had been left unattended and connected to the electrical power supply and that uncovenanted and uncontrolled heating of the oil-filled drum has occurred. The built-in temperature control system has then also failed to operate to prevent overheating and over-pressurisation of the sealed drum (roller). No external source of heat has been present to cause the overheating of the oil-filled drum.
There is potential for system control failure to result in unplanned uncontrolled heating of the oil-filled drum at any time when the machine is connected to the electrical power supply, including when left in standby mode after the normal cool-down cycle has completed and when using weekly programme function (timer mode). If the machine is unattended when this occurs failure to promptly shut down and isolate from the power supply may result in overheating and catastrophic failure of the drum and a BLEVE. The potential explosion and any subsequent fire is likely to cause catastrophic damage to the building and its surroundings, with potential for multiple fatalities and significant property destruction.
The original Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) within the control system of these calender presses does not meet any required safety performance level. There is no independent secondary temperature monitoring and control system.
The product does not meet the requirements of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008.
Affected products
All Diferro sublimation calender press models featuring a sealed oil-filled heated drum. These include but are not limited to DP-series, MP-series, DM-series, DE-series, DX-series and DF-series models. The model can be identified from the manufacturer’s identification plate as highlighted in red in the image included in the PDF below:
Action required:
Check
If you have a Diferro Sublimation Calender Press of any model, please ensure that all operation of the product ceases immediately.
If you are unsure whether your Diferro product is a Sublimation Calender Press, please check the manufacturer’s identification plate for the following models.
The affected model ranges and numbers include but are not limited to:
- DP-series (e.g. DP-XXXX)
- MP-series (e.g. MP-XXXX)
- DM-series (e.g. DM-XXXX)
- DE-series (e.g. DE-XXXX)
- DR-series (e.g. DR-XXXX)
- DX-series (e.g. DX-XXXX)
- DF-series (e.g. DF-XXXX)
Corrective action
The HSE instructs users to cease operating these machines until a second, independent Safety-Related Control System (SRCS) has been fitted. The second SRCS is required to monitor the calender’s drum temperature and must be designed, installed, and validated in accordance with safety standard BS EN ISO 13849 Parts 1 and 2. Details of the requirements are given in Appendix 1. Appendix 1 is included in the PDF linked below:
For further information, or if you suspect you have a Diferro product on your premises, please get in touch with the Product Safety Team via email:
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service would advise that if you identify that you have an affected model that you should take immediate action to brief your staff on the identified danger, provide refresher training on what to do in the event of a fire, review your fire risk assessment and your emergency procedures.
Additional information
PSD notification number: 2402-0018.
Notified by: Health and Safety Executive.