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Bar-code tags keep hundreds of thousands of leak points in check |
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Written by REM Staff
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 Where
engineers see valves, flanges, pumps and threaded connectors, the
trained eye of a leak-detection and repair (LDAR) specialist sees
potential leak points.
LDAR or fugitive emissions programs help major industrial facilities
locate and fix equipment leaks throughout their expansive processes.
For one of Canada’s leading environmental service companies (unnamed in
this article), the effectiveness of their LDAR services depend on a
durable, accurate bar-code tag system, which they found in Camcode’s Metalphoto asset tags.
“I’ve been quite happy with Camcode,” the company’s founder and
president said. “When choosing tags, I look for what’s current at the
time and I go to the company that offers the highest value solution.
Camcode offered me that.”
Camcode’s asset tags play an essential role in LDAR programs. A typical
industrial facility may have hundreds of thousands of potential leak
points, which must be identified, tagged and tracked by an easily
integrated database system. Because of the sheer quantity of such
potential leak points, tags can become so voluminous that “it starts to
look like a Christmas tree with so many tags on everything,” said the
LDAR specialist.
That’s why part of his criteria for tag selection is the ability to
easily integrate LDAR tags with other asset tracking systems used by
his clients, such as a tag and lockout program.
“Placing metal tags on every potential leak point within a facility is
seen by some as unnecessary and costly, and this can be true if used
solely for LDAR,” he said. “But when we can tie it to other programs,
it can be a very justified method of equipment tracking.”
According to Camcode, the Metalphoto tags can withstand abrasion,
intense temperatures and weather conditions, and exposure to UV,
chemicals and solvents. They remain readable for 30 years even in the
harshest conditions, removing the need to ever relabel. As far as
accuracy goes, the company says the tags virtually eliminate errors
caused by manual data collection.
One recent project spearheaded by this environmental service company is
an LDAR program for a major new industrial facility that will likely
require more than 100,000 LDAR tags in often brutal outdoor conditions
that can dip as low as –50ºC in winter months.
“My clients were particular about what they wanted,” he said. “In terms
of the flexibility of the system and the design of the tags, the
process went smoothly with Camcode.”
This is an edited article provided by Camcode, a leader in the
design and manufacture of durable pre-print bar-code labels, such as
asset tags and UID labels for asset tracking and identification. For
more information, visit www.camcod.com or call 800-627-3917.
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