Air Conditioners And Security

Did you ever think about air conditioners as being security risks? I hadn’t either until I was reading about explosion proof air conditioners.

Back in the 70’s drilling for oil off shore in the Gulf was a big industry. Men signed contracts and spent long days and hours on rigs. Their galley was in a secured sealed room. No smoking at all was allowed; nor was any ignition source whatsoever in fact–absolutely no cigarette, no cigarette lighter, no matches for security.

Now I do not mean terrorists; what I mean is fire spark. Remember that crude oil and natural gas are highly explosive and combustible substances. Once light these fuels burn uncontrollably. Either an explosion or fire could kill hundreds, and there could be no escape since the flame follows its fuel until there is no more. Furthermore, the far out waters around drill ships were freezing. Men exposed to the cold for any length of time could not survive.

Fires could rage uncontrollably for days. The proof is in history. This is exactly what happened during the Desert Wars when Saddam Hussein set fire to the oil wells in Kuwait.

Today’s petrochemical market, meaning refineries, chemical plants, drill ships, and FPSO vessel, must have state of the art, modern, up-to-date technology because of its explosionproof, corrosion protected needs. These are hazardous, severe service environments. Proven engineering with reliability, service, and design means life or death. That is why smart companies rely on explosion proof hvac systems for complete heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.