Relief's in place of burst disc's?

[m2xt]

I was frustrated by having to fit a 1000 psi PRV when all of the HP components on M2 were rated at over 230 bar for RW. Yet RW never asked for a LP PRV!!

The 1000 psi valve was retained in the rules for a number of reasons:
1. To comply with the Mentorn rules although this may now be history.
2. To ensure no competitors gained an unfair advantage by boosting their pressure by force heating the bottle before a fight.
3. To allow a safety margin for machines using non-certified (for pneumatic use) hydraulic parts.
4. To avoid the need for a pressure test point.
Im sure I thought of other reasons when writing the pneumatic rules.

It is pleasing to hear of your support for LP PRVs Roger.

Paul

[roger_plant]

I support all sensible and necessary safety rules that are required by the H&SE and insurers.

I have my own reasons for casting doubts on €œextra€ rules applied by other organisations, especially when they are applied at the roboteers expense.

I never did agree with Mentorn€™s €œextra€ CO2 safety rules, such as 1000 psi SRVs, neither did Rex Garrod.

[simon]

Im not sure anyone answered my question there

[roger_plant]

Simon, if your gas bottle is not fitted with the original valve or an approved replacement, i.e. a hand wheel type, it probably does not comply with the current H&SE regs governing its use.

The bursting disc should be fitted to the bottle neck valve and connected to it internally upstream of the valve mechanism.
That way it is effective even when the bottle valve is shut off.
If you have a bursting disc fitted to a valve downstream of the main valve it will not be effective as required.

In my opinion it would not be OK as you asked.
I would not allow it at my Yeovil event.

At an FRA event it would be up to their safety technicians as to whether it would be OK or not.

[m2xt]

Simon, I have to say I do not understand what you are trying to do. Fire valve in bottle? Is this some sort of valve used in fire supression systems?

Paul
FRA Technical Team

[simon]

Probably my explanation. Im using two fire extingusher valves to fire and empty my ram.
My question was would it be ok to fit the relief valve into one of these where the burst disk normally goes. I dont intend to mess with the one fitted to the bottle.

[m2xt]

I believe I understand now, as long as the CO2 storage bottle still has the rupture disc fitted as you state then the question only relates to the position of the 1000 psi valve. Assuming you have one valve with its inlet connected via a pipe to the CO2 bottle, then this one can have the 1000 psi PRV fitted in place of the rupture disc. The other valve which you are using to exhaust cannot be used for the PRV. IF you modify the valves in anyway that may affect their pressure integrity, they will require re-certifying. Hope that helps.

Paul
FRA Technical Team

[babeth]

Am I wrong when I understand by reading the above that Simon wants to keep the rupture discs on the bottle valves themselves in place but wants to replace one on a seperate valve ? I am getting confused here.