SFC’s Key Management System Ensures Safe Operation of Interlocks

Phil Black - PII Editor 05/12/2013

348 1 minute read

Listen to this article

To complement its key interlock system, industrial safety company Smith Flow Control (SFC) offers a high quality key management system.

SFC has designed a range of horizontal key cabinets to hold operational keys and ensure safe application under secure supervisory control. Each interlocked system has a dedicated, engraved tag location within the key cabinet to ensure total integrity and all keys are visually displayed inside the cabinet during periods of normal operation.

Once the initial key has been retrieved from the central key cabinet, an operator can begin the sequence of key transfer events that allows dangerous machinery and critical valves to be operated in a safe and pre-determined way, eliminating human error.

To facilitate this, key cabinets should be located in a secure place, typically a control room. Initial keys are typically issued by the Permit Officer. Key cabinets have fully lockable doors to prevent unauthorised access.

Throughout the procedure, the control room has a clear indication of work in progress at any time; a transparent perspex window provides visual key status. A ‘visual alert’ tag is revealed when the key is removed, providing details of the issued key, its designated location and a ‘work in progress’ signal. Smith Flow Control also offers a more advanced version of this key cabinet, which incorporates micro switch actuation to signal key movements.

Key cabinets vary in size, but utilise a new horizontal design which allows greater capacity and storage for up to 280 keys. SFC offers the units in a choice of carbon or stainless steel.

For more information, please visit the company website at www.smithflowcontrol.com or call +44 (0)1376 517 901.