Explosion Proof Motor

Quite.

Arrange the explosion proof motor yourself( if you are client, consultant or main contactor) and deduct the cost from the contractor.

The contractor can keep the wrong motor.

Make sure the correct motor is installed and commissioned. Beware the contractor "pulling a fast one" by installing the wrong motor and running off rejoicing with a fully-paid invoice.

If the motor installed is wrong, do not energise it during Process Commissioning for there would be a risk of explosion; lock it off and arrange for it to be changed for the correct one before energising.

thanks to all.....

Just to add to the above, please let me know if this logic is ok or not;

I have a pit which will contain crude oil, distillate oil and oily water in it. The pit has a vent pipe with bird screen. Now the motor is placed on top of the pit in open. Will i still have to provide an XP motor.

If there is any vapour that accumulates inside, won't that be vented out thro the vent pipe. And if the vapour does come out from the vent, once in contact with atmosphere, will it still ignite. To my understanding the ignition is not possible. Then why do i require to give a XP motor.

Correct me if i am worng...

The only way to know is to look at the Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Zoning drawing for the area, and read what it says. It cannot be seen from here.

Slack, I have seen the zone classification map (the map was created by us). Unfortunately i'm on the side that has to provide the motor. The classification mappin done as per the applicable code was created by us using API 500RP and the area where these pump motors are to be installed falls under the hazardous area Class 1 Div 2.

The problem is that the contractor (on whose behalf we are designing) is not ready to replace the motors and wants a good technical clarification to justify the provision of non XP motors to the Owner.

Give it to him, then: "unless the correct motor is installed, the cost of providing and installing the correct one will be deducted from the final account payable"!

See #1↑.

Sheesh - this isn't Rocket Science!

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If the contractor had the specs on the motor. Fire the contractor. It's not up to him to change the specs on the motor or request some detailed explanation of why. Your the customer you make the decision on how it's done.

Consult with your lawyer about firing this contractor with cause. This contractor has added liability and undo expense to this project. By being belligerent over a simple thing like a contracted motor selection, all work performed by this contractor must now be questioned.

Make the contractor supply the XP motor as originally specified. The questions regarding applicability then are moot.

The contractor is possibly trying to get off cheap (probably after being shocked at the price of an XP motor) after not including such a cost in his bid.

The answer to the contractor's question regarding any justification is "supply the specified pump, punk, it's what the owner wants and it's what was specified".

Instead of a justification present him with an "indemnification clause" written up by your lawyer, and have the contractor sign it. It should have words to the effect of "...the contractor agrees that if there is a fire or explosion at the plant then he will be liable for all costs associated with said fire or explosion..." If he won't sign it and won't correct the situation then tell him he didn't meet the spec and won't get paid for his work, then get another contractor to do it right.

Of course you could always take the idiotic step of mounting the motor on a pedestal 10 meters above the pit with a long shaft to the pump, just make sure to properly seal the conduits leading to it. (Wait a second, did I just make you the contractor??? Could be that you protest too much about doing the right thing...and you're trying to get us to help you justify your shoddy work??? I'm just saying....)

I have a hunch that your contractor worked on a gas rig. Explosion proof equipment is expensive and rarely specified for no good reason.

Hello!

I am afraid that other than replacing the motor with an EEx'n' you do not have much of an option.

The cost difference between an Industrial Motor ( the one you have ) and Type N ( Non Sparking ) is not much .

Please let me contact me in case any further details are required.

Regards,

Funny to see that you don't understand the mechanisms of the market, nor the electrical and safety code, nor the responsability they have shifted in your direction.

I assume you are a certified engineer?

It is important to solve this from your own interest: are you willing to take the responsibility of the decision of keeping the wrong motor personally?

Because that is where it will end up if the installation blows up with fatal results. The justice department will track down who took the decision to keep that wrong motor and he will be kept personally responsible, and any person involved in the life cycle of the specific piece of equipment that should have understood the danger and did not stand for a correct decision.

In our jurisdictional system an engineer has a protected title and masters degree, and he/she is recognised as a highly knowledgable person, who should take the correct decisions and speak up when he/she thinks the wrong one is taken with respect to safety. So an engineer is automatically taking responsability with respect to any safety issue that he is faced with.

Remember the industrial accidents that happen regularly in your region: they all find their reason in the local management obliged to proove that it is cheaper to produce in their factory and not in a US or EU plant (where safety is generally taken more serious due to cultural differences), the only way out is generally reducing overhead costs like the correct safety measures (fire escape, EEx equipment, ...)

I'll not bother adding to the already good advice given in the technical area of this discussion.

Let me just ask you this one question Varu, from a human cost perspective, consider the garment factory explosion and fire as well as the other factory "accidents" in your country recently.

Would you like your face and name associated with such a disaster?

thanks to all of you very much. i will ensure to follow the suggestion and ask for XP itself than entertaining any other reason.

thanks again to all...

So many good and correct answers already, I do not need to add any more.

But if the original spec was for such a motor, even in cases where no explosive gases or similar are present, its simply a requirement of the customer, the contractor STILL may not change the spec without a full consultation and written agreement to the spec change first!!

He is totally off base and I believe it was RAMCONSULT who said to throw him off the contract. I agree with him if there is the slightest hesitation on the part of the contractor to follow contract specifications without further ado.....

Varunpassi said: "during the initial stages of the project, we requested explosion proof motor."

Ok, does the contract or SOW (scope of work) currently say "explosion proof motor",

or did owner or his rep agree in writing or verbally with witnesses to change that??

if contract or SOW currently says "explosion proof motor" that is obligation of contractor, unless owner or his reps waive that requirement.

If contractor doesnt cooperate the two choices are:

1. provide correct motor, and backcharge contractor , or

2. terminate contractor for cause

Yes.

The contract did say Explosion proof. The contractor has not taken any deviation either on that (provision of non XP type).

And thanks to all the suggestion, we got the required type (XP) motor itself.