New machinery directive:
Their significance for fire protection
For over 10 years, the machine regulations applicable in the European Economic Area (EEA) have established the basic requirements for machines, their development, documentation and safety. On 1st January 2010, the new EU machinery directive 2006/42/EU will come into force to replace its predecessor 98/37/EU.
The new directive stipulates stricter fire protection safety requirements for machines. In order to avoid risks from the outset, dangers should be eliminated as far as possible. Depending on the dangers contemplated by the manufacturer, future machines must, as far as their dimensions allow, enable the fixture of easily accessible fire extinguishers, or feature a built-in extinguishing system. Minimax offers effective, perfectly aligned fire protection solutions.
Open fires typically spread quickly in their initial phases. The automatic early identification of fires is therefore of vital importance. The intelligent, platform-based and microprocessor-controlled UniVario Industry Fire Detectors by Minimax is wide awake 24 hours a day: thanks to its modular concept and modern signal processing technology, it detects temperature changes in accordance to the machine's specific use and can be employed in all areas.
Argotec extinguishing systems ensure quick and automatic extinguishing through the use of the inert gases carbon dioxide or argon. This system guarantees completely residue-free, three-dimensional and non-conducting extinguishing. As a result, machine damage and operational down-times are kept to a minimum.
Sometimes, however, it is important that the extinguishing system is not activated automatically, such as during maintenance tasks or repair work on the machines. With the automatic extinguishing lock, Minimax offers a unique solution and a large step forward in terms of personal protections: through the use of a safety control in accordance with safety category 3 based on EN 13849-1, by opening the housing doors, control of the extinguishing system is automatically interrupted. As a result, there is no need for an employee to manually deactivate the system beforehand. When the door is open, the extinguishing system cannot be accidentally activated, placing people in danger.