Safety Shields

Unisource Safety Shields provide sprayout protection for all types of pipe standards (ANSI, DIN, BS, JIS, etc.) and connections to expansion joints, as well as other piping components including those listed below:

+ Flanges   +Couplings   +Valves   +Unions   +Elbows   +Flow Meters   +Tees   +House couplings

+Clamps   +Heat exchangers   +Pumps   +Pressure vessels   +Instrumentation

+Customized connections   +Tube fittings

Spra-Gard Safety Shields, the work horse of safety shields, are the most frequently specified spray guards because of their wide range of physical characteristics. Spra-Gard flange guards and spray shields are fabricated in two proprietary thermoplastic textiles: TFE-coated fiberglass and Polypropylene (PPL). These two woven cloths are designed with a porosity concept that has been very carefully engineered. Rather than using impenetrable fabrics, Spra-Gard Safety Shields are made of slightly porous textiles — too slight to permit a sprayout, but sufficient to allow fluid to seep through to the indicating patch in the event of a leak.

Spra-Gard Safety Shields have a sensitive pH patch or indicator that is incorporated in each safety shield and changes color should the slightest amount of leaking fluid come in contact with the patch, signaling trouble in the line. Yellow/orange in color, the indicator turns brilliant red with an acid leak and bright green with an alkali leak. While the affected patch can no longer be used, it can be removed and replaced with another patch after the shield has been neutralized.

Spra-Gard Safety Shields feature an overlap design. The flange guards wrap around the pipe connections completely to prevent a lateral sprayout. During installation, they are held in place by means of a velcro fastener. No tools are required, and a single installer can secure a shield over a flange or valve in less than a minute. All Spra-Gard^® Safety Shields have been subjected to ultraviolet (UV) testing and have performed without degradation for approximately 500 hours.

Customer needs to select shield type, whether to have the clear “vue” option, pipe size, pressure rating, and drain option. For expansion joint applications, will also need expansion joint outside diameter, neutral overall length, and net expanded length.

Safety Shield Material Choices

PPL Spra-Guard

The most economical option, PPL (polypropylene) Spra-Gards were originally developed to protect against hydrofluoric acid, a highly virulent chemical that is used to etch glass and is also employed in petroleum cracking operations. Available with the clear vue option.

Characteristics

• Resistance to temperatures up to 225°F (107°C)
• Pressures up to 1100 psi Mullen burst strength (76 bar)
• Chemical tolerance is greatly affected by concentration

Recommended Industries

• Semiconductor
• Electronics
• Refineries
• Food & Beverage

TFE Spra-Guard

TFE (tetrafluoroethylene-coated fiberglass) is a woven cloth with a carefully engineered porosity concept. Spra-Gard Safety Shields are made of slightly porous textiles — too slight to permit a sprayout, but sufficient to allow fluid to seep through to the indicating patch in the event of a leak.

Chemical Use: Most acids except Hydrofluoric Acid

Characteristics

• Resistance to temperatures up to 450°F (232°C)
• Pressures up to 1650 psi Mullen burst strength (114 bar)
• Inert to a wide spectrum of commercial chemicals
• Protection against corrosion.

Recommended Industries

• Chemical
• Pharmaceutical
• Pulp/paper
• Food processing industries
• Any vital manufacturing application in which corrosive chemicals at high temperatures are frequently used

Metal Safety Shields

UNISOURCE Metal Safety Shields are suitable for flanges and every type of valve in all size systems carrying steam, solvents, chemicals and corrosive agents. The shields slip over existing pipe installations and are put in place easily and quickly with the use of a screwdriver. In the event of a leak, the fluid collects at the bottom of the shield where the overlapping slotted edge prevents a lateral blowout and allows the leaking condition to be highly visible without causing injury to plant personnel and equipment. For demanding applications at high temperature and pressure.