Peter Childs, managing director of Beldam Burgmann is to deliver a talk on emissions legislation at the IMechE seminar on 'Design, Maintenance and Care of Gasketed Bolted Flanged Joints'.
The event, which will take place at IMechE's London headquarters on 16 th March, will examine the problems involved in taking care of flanged joints in pressure systems. Childs will update delegates on significant changes in legislation, which will have implications on many companies' approaches to bolted joint technology.
Those attending the seminar will include engineers, users and operators involved in the modification of existing pressure equipment as well as those concerned in health and safety issues relating to the apparatus.
Childs, with 35 years experience in the sealing industry, hopes to give his audience guidance on how to increase environmental protection by reducing fugitive emissions. He comments: "The date for compliance to the EU's new IPPC directive is October 2007. This new wide reaching legislation introduces the concept of Best Available Technique (BAT), which means that companies will have to use the best possible sealing solutions from that date forward.
"Further to that, a test procedure has been developed in Germany which we believe will become the European benchmark. Indeed, it should and probably will become the accepted benchmark for best practice. Most gaskets in the UK currently fall short of these standards and it is important to address that ahead of the legislation taking effect. My presentation will highlight the key requirements of this legislation, with particular reference to bolted flanged joints."
With seven branches nationwide, Beldam Burgmann is the U.K's only genuine static seals specialist. This puts the company at the forefront of the industry and Childs is keen to use his experience and knowledge of the impending changes to prepare companies for what will be a step change in practice. He concludes: "I am delighted to be approached by IMechE and hope the information I put across will benefit all who attend what promises to be a very useful seminar."