FlexRite Chemgiene reduces the risk of accidents with hygienic breakaway coupling

A quarter of all manufacturing injuries occur in the food and drink industry, according to the Health & Safety Executive. To help reduce this figure, FlexRite Chemgiene has introduced a hygienic breakaway coupling, which is designed to prevent damage to installations and injury to personnel when a tanker drives away while the hose remains connected. Called the Salamander, it offers improved safety features and cost savings due to better manufacturing processes.

For use with non-hazardous products within the food and brewery industries, the Salamander hygienic breakaway coupling combines the tried and tested hygienic sealing abilities of the Tri-Clamp type gasket and the universally accepted material properties of 316L stainless steel. This innovative product has the ability to break apart at a predetermined load, to prevent serious damage, and loss of production capacity, which a tanker drive-away incident will inevitably cause.

At the heart of the Salamander coupling is a series of precisely machined waisted connector pins designed to break at a load that is large enough to prevent accidental failure during day-to-day handling of hoses, but low enough to prevent damage in the event of a drive-away incident with a tanker. In the event of an accident, the coupling can be rapidly put back into service by fitting a new set of connector pins, and a new gasket if necessary. Suitably trained maintenance personnel using easily available hand tools can carry out this operation on site.

Due to its design, it can be fitted with any standard hose ends used in the industry, and as an option, can be fitted with customers own proprietary end fittings. To allow the connector to be used for cleaning in place, or CIP duties, its central sealing gasket is of the Tri-Clamp type, which provides a smooth crevice free joint combined with easy availability should it ever need to be replaced.

“For less than the average cost of car insurance, plant managers can improve safety and reduce the risk of damage to installations and personnel by using the Salamander”, explained John Quilter of FlexRite Chemgiene.

The Salamander is available in 2”, 2.5” and 3” sizes to suit most tanker discharge hoses.

REF: FLEX0012

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