FAQ

Q. What is a Blast Wall?

A. A Blast Resistant wall is a fire resistant barrier that can also withstand a certain blast overpressure in excess of normal design requirements. It is important that the wall be capable of withstanding the effects of fire that often follow an explosion or indeed withstand the blast overpressure that may follow fire.

Q What factors should be considered when selecting a blast wall system?

A. There are many design considerations to be taken into account when selecting a suitable system. The main factors to be considered are level of fire and blast resistance required, weight of the system (Will additional foundations be required), speed of construction, certification (Who will certify the complete system?) and of course cost. Modubuild provide systems which meet with all the design criteria and can certify the entire system.

Q. What Level of fire & Blast protection can ModuBlast walls provide?

A. Our Fire and Blast resistant barriers can achieve up to 6 hour fire integrity and up to 200 Kn/m2 Blast resistance.

Q. In what type of applications can the ModuBlast explosion resistant barriers be used?

A. Our Fire and Blast resistant barriers have been successfully used across a wide range of industries including Petrochem, Infrastructure, Power Generation & Distribution, Food & Beverage Production, Off Shore Platforms, Rail & Metro etc.

Q. What are the ATEX regulations?

A. The ATEX directives have been compulsory since 01 July 2006. The directives concern the minimum requirements for protecting workers who are potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. Under the directive the minimum requirements to be satisfied in the workplace are:

  • Prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres which may be produced by equipment and by protective systems themselves
  • Prevent the ignition of explosive atmospheres, taking into account the nature of every electrical and non-electrical source of ignition
  • Halt an explosion immediately and/or limit the explosion flames
  • Ensure the appropriate selection of materials
  • Prevent potential ignition sources
  • Control hazards arising from external effects
  • Outline requirements in respect of safety devices
  • Integrate safety requirements relating to the system

    • Q. What are ATEX zone categories?

    A. Atex zones refer to different explosive atmospheres where a mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapours, mists or dusts in which after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

    Zone 0     A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.

    Zone 1     A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

    Zone 2     A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

    Zone 20     A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.

    Zone 21     A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

    Zone 22     A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

    Note I - Layers, deposits and heaps of combustible dust shall be considered as any other source which can form an explosive atmosphere

    Note II - Normal operation means the situation when installations are used within their design parameters