No Heat Shrink Wrapping
Oil & Gas Shrink Wrapping
Shrink tight scaffold sheeting is used for creating weather protection or environmental containment over and around repair or maintenance projects. The ‘drum tight’ fit makes it very resistant to damage or detachment, even at high wind speeds and the shrink wrap sheeting is easily cut and re-sealed around protrusions such as pipes and beams that may typically pass through a sheeted area.
Traditionally, to install shrink wrap sheeting around scaffolding has required a propane gas hot air gun which is used both to create welded joints between individual sheets of wrap and to shrink the plastic so that it moulds very tightly over and around the scaffolding structure and creates a ‘drum tight’ finish.
However, where shrink wrap weather protection & environmental containment is required around a project located in a potentially explosive environment, then alternative techniques using no naked flame or heat will be required.
What are the applications for no heat shrink wrapping?
Offshore oil & gas maintenance work outside of scheduled shutdown and turnaround periods.
Refineries and onshore processing plants.
Power generation
What materials & equipment are required?
Rhino supply ‘no heat’ shrink wrapping materials and equipment and training or we can provide a fully installed service
The most important that the shrink wrap has specific qualities to make the job a success. Rhino Verisafe® is engineered for high performance in the most challenging of conditions.
- Approved Flame Retardant – see www.redbooklive.com
- Tensile strength – to withstand high wind loadings and maintain ‘drum tight’ fit.
- Added EVA & UVI for toughness in extreme cold weather and extended outdoor use.
To download your FREE guide to shrink wrapping materials and equipment click here.
Shrink wrapping in explosive atmospheres
Explosive atmospheres can be created by flammable gases, mists, vapours or combustible dusts. The risk of explosions is reduced by either 1) preventing the release of substances which can create an explosive atmosphere or by 2) Preventing the source of ignition.
ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European directives for controlling explosive atmospheres. Areas where a hazardous explosive atmosphere may occur are classified into zones.
For gases, vapours and mists these zones are;
Zone 2 : an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operations, but if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
Zone 1: an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
Zone 0: an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
No Heat Shrink Wrapping – Case Studies
Shrink Wrap Building Screen – St Barts Hospital, London
Building Screens
Shrink Wrapped Modules – Sellafield
Industrial CoversWhat would you like to do next?
No Heat Shrink Wrapping – Frequently Asked Questions
Does the shrink wrap take longer to install utilising ‘cold work’ techniques?
Yes, in most cases the shrink wrap sheeting will take a little longer to install than when using traditional hot work.
Why do I need shrink wrap, why not use standard plastic sheeting?
Although flame less techniques do not require the film to shrink, everything else about the film needs to be engineered for purpose. Under high wind loads for example, a film must be able to flex and return to it’s original form. A poor quality film, with a low strength at yield, will stretch and become slack.
Have an upcoming project requiring shrink wrapping?