SPIE Belgium, an independent leader on the European market of multi-technical services in energy and communication, recently landed several contracts for the construction, delivery and installation of Local Instrument Shelters (LIS). These shelters are prefabricated concrete structures equipped with a full electrical installation and control panels, and are designed for managing a production line.
Acceptance (ready to use)
SPIE Belgium, and more specifically the Electricity and Instrumentation (E&I) department of SPIE Industry Grobbendonk, has currently three contracts in progress for the construction of such shelters. The clients are active in the chemical and petrochemical sector, but any production company can in theory benefit from the installation of an LIS. “Stakeholders in petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals are the ones primarily interested because of the higher risk in those sectors,” explains Steven Van Craen, Project Manager.
“Such a prefabricated shelter is built at SPIE. It is always custom-built and is delivered to the customer ready to use. The shelter is subjected to extensive testing at SPIE before it is delivered,” Steven says. An LSI generally comprises many electrical utility items – always customized, such as: lighting, outlets, HVAC installation and all the internal wiring relating thereto. They are obviously interconnected before the installation. Once LIS is installed, the shelter is connected to the production line at the customer’s plant.
No disturbance on own site
“An LIS is the ideal solution for companies that wish to replace the control of their old production line but do not want works on their own site,” Steven explains. “The LIS is in fact built entirely at SPIE.” As the shelter is not built on their own site, petrochemical companies do not need a work authorization and the safety measures are more limited. “Conversely, our own prevention advisors make sure that all the safety standards in force are observed during the construction of such an LIS.” Not having to waste time with a work authorization is another important advantage in this way of working” Thanks to our approach, the control of an old production line can be replaced by a new version in a very short span of time,” says Steven.
SPIE Belgium wishes to develop this specific service and has the requisite expertise to do so. “We provide advice and support for assembling such a shelter in an entirely autonomous manner and we test the operation thereof ourselves. We cooperate with a fixed, reliable partner to transport the shelter to the customer, and we guarantee delivery and acceptance ready to use. We keep close watch on safety and compliance with the deadlines at every stage of our cooperation.”
SPIE Belgium has an indispensable winning asset: It can call on the expertise of all its divisions for the different techniques deployed when building an LIS. Thus, SPIE Controlec Terneuzen takes charge of the engineering of the metal bearing structure of the shelter and lifting works, and SPIE Geel Building Services of the HVAC installation.
“We are delighted that different chemical and petrochemicalc companies have entrusted us with such an important assignment and are satisfied with the shelters delivered up to now. Given the many advantages that this working method offers the customer, SPIE Belgium is convinced of the growth potential of this service,” Steven adds by way of conclusion.
