Thermal Insulation for ATEX Zones
- all types of valves and pipeline equipment
- wellhead assemblies in oil and gas extraction facilities
- loading arms
- heat exchanger heads, ejectors, etc.
- any equipment operating in ATEX zones
Antistatic SUM Antistatic Guard covers, thanks to carefully selected materials, can be used on installations, valves and equipment operating in explosion-hazard (ATEX) zones at temperatures ranging from -40°C to +315°C. They offer very high resistance to chemically aggressive substances such as acids, alkalis, solvents and alcohols.
They reduce the surface temperature of equipment and limit heat losses caused by convection and thermal radiation. At the same time, they allow quick and easy access to insulated components through temporary removal of the insulation cover.
Designed for repeated use, they can be removed and reinstalled without damage.
SUM Antistatic Guard covers are manufactured from fabric with a surface resistivity of 3×105 Ω. The use of seams made from stainless steel thread and stainless steel fastening pins connecting both the outer and inner fabric layers ensures full continuity of charge conduction.
The cover’s grounding path, i.e. the route for dissipating electrostatic charges from its surface, may be the equipment on which the covers are installed, provided that certain conditions are met:
- the equipment is made of conductive materials,
- the equipment is equipped with its own grounding system,
- contact points between the equipment and the covers are available, where the surface is free from coatings or contamination that could prevent free charge transfer
Inner and outer technical fabric layers – single-sided PTFE (Teflon)-coated glass fabric. Surface resistivity in accordance with PN-EN 61340-2-3:2002 / PN-EN 13463-1:2010 is 3×105 Ω. Non-flammability according to ASTM D2863-87 Oxygen Index: 99–100% – non-combustible material.
Insulation fill – in 80% of products, mechanically needled E-Glass glass fibre matting is used, which, unlike standard mineral wools, is characterised by:
- high density: 130 to 180 kg/m³
- water resistance – even after full saturation, once dried it regains 100% of its insulating properties
- durability and structural integrity – it does not deform under bending and does not delaminate or fragment
Other materials used include silicate mats, synthetic rubber, Pyrogel and others.
The fastening and closure system is always adapted to the application, taking into account temperature, surrounding equipment layout and individual user requirements. Industrial Velcro (including high-temperature variants), stainless steel buckle straps (standard), drawstrings and stainless steel hooks are used.
Nameplate – each cover is assigned a unique serial number, and its design is stored indefinitely in the SUM database. The nameplate may also include any user-required information (location, equipment numbering, etc.).
All fittings in every version of the SUM cover are made of stainless steel.
Extremely strong seams made from stainless steel-reinforced Kevlar® thread ensure long service life and thermal resistance.
