Trends in the food industry to ensure plant safety

Ensuring plant safety is one of the most important challenges facing those responsible for the food industry and the manufacturing sector in general. Manufacturers constantly strive not only to optimise processes, but also to prevent, reduce and, of course, avoid a series of hazards to which the organisation and its workers are exposed during production.

All areas of the factory, but especially those occupied by operators, require a suitable industrial sealing solution that protect them against risks such as flooding, fire, dust, humidity, harmful fauna, explosions, electromagnetic threats and other factors that could endanger traffic and the optimal functioning of the system.

This also seeks to prevent production and operational stoppages, asset losses or huge economic losses, as well as loss of human life.

One such solution is the one developed by Roxtec Mexico, which has manufactured a system of fire seal for the manufacturing industry capable of guaranteeing plant safety, shielding every corner of the infrastructure, protecting it from other extreme situations such as high temperatures, pressures, chemical considerations and mechanical stresses typical of this sector.

This sealing system for cables and pipes Not only does it reduce tension, but it also insulates the passage of cables and pipes in machines and devices, in order to ensure a secure fit during production.

How to ensure plant safety with these industrial sealing solutions

By using the fire seal, the food industry gains immediate and long-term advantages. This multi-diameter sealed system for cables allows standards to be set for machines and devices; and allows multiple cables to be sealed in each opening, rather than spending time cutting connectors and drilling more potential leakage routes.

Furthermore, this bulkhead sealing technology allows cables to be added or changed in the future without the need to drill additional holes, ensuring proper operation while protecting the company's assets and personnel.

Features such as efficiency, cost-effectiveness and, above all, flexibility make this bulkhead sealing solution for the food industry a system that meets the challenges faced by manufacturers and managers mentioned above.

The areas of application for these seals in the food industry are:

• Cupboards.
• Cable management.
• Control panels.
• HMI.
• Junction boxes.
• Engine control centres.
• Pneumatic components.
• Electrical distribution panels.
• Robotics.

Furthermore, this solution guarantees the safety of the plant because, unlike substitute materials that meet the need for sealing, they do not ensure insulation and protection against hazardous situations.

These substitute materials are intumescent foams, glands, concrete, plastic or composites which, although they seal, do not provide optimal industrial safety because they do not comply with industrial safety certifications.

These certifications are the regulations and protection standards of the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission), UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association), which are international bodies that regulate proper industrial operation.

The UL has equipment and fire testing certifications, while the NFPA includes various standards such as NFPA 72, Fire Pumps, Sprinklers, Electrical Safety, and Piping or HVAC. The NEMA and IEC base their certifications on protection and sealing against water, dust, corrosion, and general industrial use.

Roxtec Mexico the world's largest manufacturer of cable transits and modular base pipes for the food industry, becoming the appropriate method for ensuring plant safety and long-term operation.

If you would like to know more about how to ensure plant safety or find out what the components of a cable sealing system suitable for industrial usesubscribe to the Technology for Industry Newsletter, with the most comprehensive content on new industrial technologies, manufacturing innovations, equipment, and automation trends.