The water purification sector is an essential supply sector for our society. Without clean drinking water, there is no life. Without the disposal and treatment of our wastewater, our society is at risk of harmful diseases and nuisances. As ordinary as the provision of clean drinking water and sewage may seem, there is an extensive infrastructure behind it with sustainable and complex installations and processes and many specialists who keep these facilities operational and reliable.
Safety, quality and the environment are at the heart of every process in this sector and are inextricably linked. A high level of hygiene and diverse risks are continuously present; explosion hazard zones, areas and zones with high H2S concentrations, slippery floors due to polymers, various chemicals such as alkalis and acids and even ozone installations. Understandable and effective safety signage is therefore indispensable for this critical sector.
Our experience in the water sector is reflected in the innovation, dedication, expertise and diligence of our team. A continuously growing group of satisfied clients stimulates harmonization and optimization of safety and signage within this sector. We reinforce our services with our ISO 9001 certification for quality and our SCC certification for safe working.
Signage and identification solutions are functional through simplicity and consistency. In this sector with different levels of knowledge of employees and contractors, an understandable form of visual communication is effective for preventing incidents and promoting safe working.
Blomsma Signs & Safety provides safety signage, pipe and process identification, route and traffic signage. Practical and systematic implementation which is functional through simplicity and consistency.
On this page you will find the following topics:
In our brochure 'Water Purification' you can read more about our products and services in the field of safety signage in the industry.
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE 'WATER PURIFICATION'The water purification sector has to deal with various requirements and regulations. On our Standards and Laws overview you will see a pre-selection of standards and laws that are tangential to safety signage and identification.
The legal framework requires the provision of signs to prevent incidents, the European Directive 92/58/EEC is the basis for all European member states.
Employers shall provide safety and/or health signs as laid down in this Directive where hazards cannot be avoided or adequately reduced by techniques for collective protection or measures, methods or procedures used in the organization of work, or ensure that such signs are in place - Council Directive 92/58/EEC
Read more about the Council Directive 92/58/EECThe water sector has different perspectives and needs from practical and statutory signage. On this page sign applications and relevant projects and white papers are conveniently displayed.
When arriving at a location, visual communication begins. Where and how to report, traffic and behavior rules and features of the company and of the location. A location entry sign is a composite of information; identification of the location, the start of signage, general safety and traffic rules. From this point a system of signs and markings is further represented, routes to buildings and installations, building codes, traffic signs and lines.
For an understandable interpretation, the ISO/TS 20559 for the design of a signage system can be used in combination with the standard for signage ISO 28564 and traffic laws. With an appropriate design style, it is possible to inform both operational and ‘educational’ target groups in a targeted manner with signs and markings. From tanker transports to school excursions, uniform and understandable visual language.
A carefully designed signage system has been implemented at Delfluent Services' sewage treatment plants and sewage pumping stations. The signage is structured, fully compliant and has its starting point at the entrance gate. More about this project can be read in the project case.
More about this project caseWater treatment plants tend to cover a considerable area. Buildings are interspersed with basins and tanks. At these locations, the evacuation of a building or plant must be able to take place quickly. Clear escape route signage plays a major role here. Complex spaces with tunnels, basements and areas without daylight lend themselves extremely well to an escape route guidance system. On site, the route to the assembly points is set up in strategic positions, so that the site can also be evacuated quickly and adequately.
A complete evacuation route signage consists of a combination of escape route markings, emergency exit signs, assembly point signs, an escape route guidance system in special areas and evacuation plans. By using harmonized standards for these, the connection and interplay is clearly visible and an escape route sign system becomes more effective. Escape route signs are carried out according to ISO 7010, an escape route guidance system according to ISO 16069 and evacuation plans according to ISO 23601.
At sewage treatment plants, drinking water purification plants and pumping stations, there are different areas and installations with varying risks. These risks and control measures are marked with safety signs, composite signs that show dangers, prohibitions and commandments in a sorted way. When planning safety zone signs, a peeling principle improves comprehensibility and clarity. This avoids the unnecessary repetition of safety symbols. For example, it is unnecessary to display a symbol safety shoes on the entrance to a building when people are already wearing safety shoes because of the duty to wear previously indicated when entering an area or premises. Safety zone signs are used for access to production areas and buildings, confined spaces, substations, pump rooms and many other areas with specific hazards and requirements, among others.
EX zones are specific safety zones, these are areas with an increased risk of explosion. These areas are particularly common at sludge digestion and biogas plants at wastewater and sewage treatment plants. Storage areas for chemicals and receiving stations for natural gas can also be EX zones. These areas are clearly marked on the basis of legal requirements. In addition to safety symbols, line markings and deposits are also used for this purpose. ATEX or EX zone impression signs are placed to give an overview of the EX zones present. The impression boards are illustrative 2D, 3D or photographic displays with the various EX zones shown as colored contours.
Hoogheemraadschap Delfland realized in two successive phases all signage on the sewage purification plants and pumping stations. A complete signage system with both legally required safety signs and pipe markings as well as practical signage and information boards.
More about this project caseChemicals are used in the purification of drinking and wastewater. Examples include Iron chloride, caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, chlorine bleach lye and even diesel for emergency power supplies.
These substances are unloaded or loaded through loading areas. It is at these points that the risk of exposure is highest. A loading area sign indicates the risks and requirements for loading. Storage tanks and pipes are marked with signs according to the harmonized ISO 20650 standard. This standard provides a clear guideline for the marking of all processes on and around an installation. After all, not only pipes with hazardous (classified) substances pose a risk, but also air and water pipes under high pressure, or influent and effluent pipes can be a potential hazard. Especially when these pipes are interpreted incorrectly during operational or maintenance activities. Legislation requires the marking of pipes and tanks with hazardous properties.
Containers used at work for dangerous substances or preparations defined in Directives 67/548 /EEC (1) and 88/379/EEC (2) and containers used for the storage of such dangerous substances or preparations, together with the visible pipes containing or transporting dangerous substances and preparations, must be labelled (pictogram or symbol against a colored background) in accordance with those Directives.
When realizing signage for loading bays at larger, less clear locations, it is recommended to make the link with on-site routing, the signage. In this way, (high-risk) traffic flows are efficiently guided in the right direction to the desired locations.
Clear insight into piping systems and processes contribute to the efficient and safe operation of a water treatment plant. Mistakes during maintenance activities can be prevented with understandable and highly visible signage and markings. There is a considerable time savings to be made when a plant is equipped with pipe markings. It reduces the search for specific fittings and pipes for operators, maintenance and inspection services.
For technical process identification of valves, valves, meters etc. tag plates, intelligent RFID tags or QR codes are applied for clear identification.
Anti-slip materials prevent falls and slips on stairs, walkways, cage ladders or floors in spaces where, for example, polymers are used. We offer solutions in the form of anti-slip panels and profiles made of glass-fibre reinforced polyester and self-adhesive tapes and foils. Our anti-slip panels and profiles are used on floors, platforms, steps and on ladder rungs. A sustainable way of ensuring a long-term anti-slip effect, thereby preventing incidents.
Download here the brochure 'Water Purification' with an overview of our services and products in this sector.
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE ‘WATER PURIFICATION’Want to know more?
Contact us.
