To stay compliant with all industry regulations — and to protect the health of your personnel, the local community, and the environment — you need to make sure your Sherwood valves are in good condition and in full working order. This means adopting a policy of regular servicing and inspection.
We’re going to be looking at some of the valve inspection best practices your team can use as you assess the current status of your Sherwood valves. This includes checking for industrial gas leakages, such as chlorine leaks, and also examining the components and connections within your system. Read on to learn more, and develop your valve inspection checklist.
DISCLAIMER: Industrial gases are highly hazardous to human health and the environment. Always make sure that maintenance, servicing, and inspection of your Sherwood Valve products are carried out by a qualified professional. The information contained in this article is intended for reference only and is no substitute for proper training and qualifications.
Engage in Regular Servicing
Sherwood valves will need to be serviced annually, making sure that they are functioning correctly and helping your facility to remain within health and safety guidelines and regulations. Make sure you have a regular servicing schedule in place, and ensure that all required servicing dates are met.
Keep a Logbook of Service and Inspection
You will need a record of when the valve has been serviced and inspected. Keep a logbook that lists all these important dates and times, along with any notes. For example, record if the valve was found to be working just fine or if it was replaced by the service team. Also record any minor actions, such as the addition of lubricating oil where required or the removal of mild instances of corrosion.
Make Sure Qualified Personnel Inspect Valves
The regular servicing of the Sherwood Valve products will need to be assigned to a qualified maintenance team. Intermediary inspections — carried out between the regular service dates — may be handled in-house, but you should make sure that all inspecting personnel have received the requisite training and qualifications they need so that they understand what they are looking for.
Look for Wear on Parts
If there are signs of wear on the valve, particularly around connections and links, these parts may need to be replaced. The Sherwood Valve products are designed to provide a safe and secure fit when they are in optimal condition — wear around points of connection could compromise this condition. The valve may need to be replaced in some instances.
Check the Firmness of the Connection
The valve connections should be tightly secured to the inlet and outlet points. It should not be possible to unscrew these connections by hand. Assess the tightness and firmness of these connections, and use a wrench to tighten any loose links if necessary. If the connection does not tighten sufficiently or works itself loose, this may need to be replaced. Remember to shut off the gas supply if you plan to loosen the connection.
Make an Assessment on Corrosion
Corrosion can occur due to gases leaking out of the system, or it can be caused by external factors in the atmosphere within your facility. Check for any signs of corrosion on the valve and make an assessment. Decide whether the corrosion is a sign of leakage — in which case shut down the system and consider replacing the valve — or due to an outside factor, such as spillage or excessive humidity. If you find it is due to an outside factor, consider the steps you can take to improve the environment and reduce the possibility of corrosion. Next, assess whether the issue is a serious risk to the integrity of the valve. If it is, you may need to replace the valve, but if the corrosion is minor, you may be able to remove it via abrasion and the application of anti-corrosion paint.
Examine for Signs of Leakage
Use a detection device to check for signs of a gas leak. Make sure your device is calibrated to detect the exact sort of gas you and your team are working with — for instance, if you are using acetylene gas, you may need a different detector than the one you might use on a chlorine gas system. In the event a leak is detected, shut off the supply and evacuate the area immediately.
Consider Environmental Conditions
It’s important to examine the environmental conditions too. For instance, a chlorine gas leak can cause respiratory problems and irritation in the eyes, throat, and skin — if you are working with chlorine gas and any personnel report this reaction, this could be evidence of a leak. Again, shut off the supply immediately and evacuate the area if you believe there has been a leak.
Test for Rattling and Unusual Sounds
Use an acoustic device to detect any rattling or unusual sounds during operation. These sounds could indicate that a component has become damaged or come loose within the valve assembly, and further maintenance may be required.
Assess the Valve in Different Positions
Open and close the valve and conduct tests downstream within the system. The handwheel and shut-off mechanism should completely stop the flow of gas. If you are still detecting gas flow downstream, this suggests the valve is not working as it should be and may need to be repaired or replaced by a qualified technician. If the handwheel and mechanism are not turning properly, it may need lubrication. This may also indicate there is an issue with the valve, and any obstruction to the handwheel may also require repair or replacement.
Find the Sherwood Valve Products You Need in Our Range
With the proper inspections and servicing schedule in place, Sherwood Valve products offer safe and reliable functionality over the long term. Check out our range of Sherwood valves right here at Chemtech, finding the right product to suit the specific needs of your business. To learn more about the products we supply, reach out to our team today.