HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012

SAFETY

Rev. 3

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

STANDARD

22-Sep-2013
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 2

2.

SCOPE & PURPOSE ................................................................................................... 2

3.

DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................... 2

4.

STANDARDS ............................................................................................................... 3

5.

RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................... 4

6.

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 4

7.

ATTACHMENTS .......................................................................................................... 5

8.

APPENDICES .............................................................................................................. 5

Rev.

Issue Date

22-Sep-13

01-Apr-11

01-Jan-06

11-Dec-02

Amendment Description
Removal of distinctions between contractors
and employees; clarification on mobile
phones in non-classified areas.
Exception using non intrinsically safe
equipments, new camera permit
requirements, Hazardous area classification,
etc.
Removed Cameral Permit requirements from
Safety. Mobile phone restrictions in CCR and
rack room.
First Release

Reviewed by

Approved by

A.D. Abreu

Carl Benson

Carl Poldrack

A.D. Abreu

Carl
Poldrack

Carl Poldrack

Francis
Gnanaprakasam
Peter Conway

Next Scheduled Periodic Review: September/2016

HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012

Prepared by

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Jarvis Olsen

SAFETY
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
STANDARD

HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012
Rev. 3
22-Sep-2013
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1. INTRODUCTION
Use of personal portable electronic equipment such as cameras and communication devices
have become an integral part of plant operation and maintenance for various business reasons
like communication, study, monitoring, analysis, equipment history building etc.
However, the utilization of such equipment inside operating units, critical work zones, and
classified areas must be controlled by establishing and adhering to approved design
specifications and administrative controls as these devices can be potential sources of ignition.
2.

SCOPE & PURPOSE

This standard is applicable to portable electronic equipment being brought onto Q-Chem/RLOC
premises and/or used by employees, contractors, vendors and visitors. Some of this equipment
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
i. Photographic cameras (still and video);
ii. Thermo-graphic cameras;

iii. Communication radios not issued by Q-Chem/RLOC;

iv. Electronic tablets, computers, personal digital assistant (PDA);
v. Personal paging devices;
vi. Mobile telephones.
When other similar equipment, not included in this list is brought to the site, the Safety
Department must be consulted on the applicability of this standard, before it is used on plant
premises.

3. DEFINITIONS
Classified Area - means a defined hazardous area due to the possibility or probability of
experiencing the presence of flammable liquids, gases, combustible dusts, or readily
ignitable fibres or particulates. Hazardous area classifications are divided into three classes
(Class I, II, and III). Electrical equipment used in the classified area must meet the
requirements of the relevant class. In general, electrically classified equipment shall be
explosion-proof, intrinsically-safe, flame-proof, and non-sparking.
These areas include all process areas. To determine exact locations of classified areas in a
Q-Chem/RLOC facility, refer to Q-Chem Overall Hazardous Area Classification drawing
number QC2-00-ELEC-ACD-001001 or RC2-30-PIPE-PPL-00-000-0001.
Intrinsic Safety (IS) - is a protection technique for safe operation of electrical equipment in
hazardous areas by limiting the energy available for ignition. The principle behind intrinsic
safety is to ensure that the available electrical and thermal energy in the system is always
low enough that ignition of the hazardous atmosphere cannot occur. This is achieved by
ensuring that only low voltages and currents enter the hazardous area, and that no
significant energy storage is possible.
Intrinsically safe - means a device is certified safe to use in hazardous areas that may
contain fuel in the atmosphere, such as flammable gases or vapors, or combustible dust. An
intrinsically safe device is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to
ignite the fuel and cause fire or explosion. Intrinsically safe devices must be marked as
certified by a recognized certification body (FM, UL, IEC, NEC, ATEX, CSA, etc.)

HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012

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SAFETY
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
STANDARD

HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012
Rev. 3
22-Sep-2013
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Photographic Cameras - means photographic and digital still cameras, video, and/or digital
video cameras.
Photographs of Proprietary Technology - means photos broad enough to identify the
design specifics of a vessel or equipment controlled under the proprietary technology
agreement.
Portable Electronic Equipment - means for the purpose of this standard; photographic
cameras, thermo-graphic cameras, personal pagers, communication radios, mobile
telephones, etc.
Thermo-graphic Cameras - means cameras which detect heat using the principle of infrared radiation.

4. STANDARDS
4.1. General Instructions
i. All non-intrinsically safe electronic devices are PROHIBITED in all classified areas. In
addition, non-intrinsically safe electronic devices are PROHIBITED in the Central Control
Room (CCR) rack room(s) and the North Control Room (NCR) rack room(s). Mobile
telephones of any type are prohibited within all process areas.
Non-intrinsically safe electronic devices are allowed within the following buildings within QChem/RLOC premises:
a) Administration Building (Mesaieed);
b) Main Office Building (RLOC);
c) Workshops/Warehouse excluding the refueling station;
d) Safety and Security Building;
e) Central Control Room Building, except for the rack room(s);
f)

North Control Room Building, except for the rack room(s);

g) Change House Building;

h) Fire Station Building;
i)

Laboratory Offices, excluding the analytical laboratories;

j)

Canteen.

ii. Process equipment owners may using non-intrinsically safe portable electronic equipment
for work-related activities in his/her assigned area while conducting continuous gas
monitoring (permit exempt).
Example: An operator taking photographs in his/her assigned unit.
iii. All portable electronic devices are restricted from use for a 3-foot radius around the DCS
equipment in the CCR and NCR.
iv. Before entering classified areas, employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors must leave
all non-intrinsically safe electronic devices either in an office in one of the buildings listed in
4.1.(i), in the change house, or in their personal vehicle.
v. Contractors, visitors and vendors must be informed of the restrictions on mobile telephone
usage by the Designated Site Representative (DSR).

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SAFETY
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
STANDARD

HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012
Rev. 3
22-Sep-2013
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vi. Contractors, Visitors and Vendors are PROHIBITED to take photographs or video within QChem/RLOC premises unless specific permission is requested through their Designated
Site Representative (DSR). All photographs and video must be reviewed and approved by
the Security Department before leaving the premises.
4.2. Camera Permit
i. Department cameras having photography permit issued by QP-ISM/L Security with the
assistance of Q-Chem Security may be used by individuals (with the appropriate PTW) in
the respective department to take photographs for business purposes only.
ii. Departments that wish to use images taken in a Q-Chem/RLOC facility for any purpose
outside of the facility must provide the images to the Security Department for review and
approval before using the images.
4.3. Intrinsically Safe Equipment and Authorization
i. Except for mobile telephones, intrinsically safe electronic equipment may be used inside
classified areas without a Hot Work Permit if the equipment has been inspected and
approved by the Safety Department prior to use.

5. RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1. Designated Site Representative (DSR)
i. Responsible for informing all contractors, visitors and vendors of the restrictions on mobile
telephone and portable electronic device usage.
5.2. Safety Department
i. Responsible for inspecting and approving/denying all intrinsically safe electronic equipment
requested to be used inside classified areas.
5.3. Security Department
i. Responsible for inspecting and approving/denying all photographs and video images
intended to be used for any purpose outside of the facility.
ii. Responsible for reviewing and expediting requests for QP-ISM/L photography permits.

6. REFERENCES
6.1. QC2-00-ELEC-ACD-001009

Overall Hazardous Area Classification

6.2. QC2-00-ELEC-ACD-001001

Overall Hazardous Area Classification Layout

Key Plan

6.3. HSE-SAF-PRO-00-0006

Permit to Work (PTW) Procedure

6.4. RC2-32SFTY-ACD-00-000-0002

RLOC ISBL Hazardous Area Classification

6.5. RC2-31-SFTY-ACD-00-000-0001

RLOC OSBL Hazardous Area Classification

6.6. RC2-30-PIPE-PPL-00-000-0001

Permit to Work Plot Plan for RLOC

HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012

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SAFETY
PORTABLE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
STANDARD
7. ATTACHMENTS
None

8. APPENDICES
None

HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012

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HSE-SAF-STD-00-0012
Rev. 3
22-Sep-2013
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