Banner Chemicals, a subsidiary of the 2M Group, is a leading company in the chemical industry, firmly committed to safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials across multiple sites. Given the nature of its operations, many plants are classified as dangerous zones, requiring strict adherence to safety and compliance standards.
Banner Chemicals approached us for a Wi-Fi solution to help them transition from paper-based processes to electronic systems. Specifically, they sought an efficient digital solution for booking and managing the intake of chemicals at their facilities. The goal was to create a more efficient and traceable process while upholding the highest safety and compliance standards across various zones within their sites.
Challenges
This wifi installation presented unique challenges for our team:
Hazardous Environment Requirements: The Banner Chemicals’ facilities operate in highly regulated environments with strict safety requirements. The nature of these zones requires the use of specialised, ATEX-certified access points to prevent gas infiltration and eliminate potential ignition risks.
ATEX Compliance: All equipment, including WiFi access points and data cabling, had to be ATEX-approved, ensuring it was safe for deployment in explosive or hazardous environments.
Restricted Access: Two of the seven sites required even more caution, as the necessary survey equipment wasn’t ATEX-certified and couldn’t be brought on-site. This required a different assessment approach to design bespoke solutions tailored to each location’s safety requirements.
First-time WiFi Implementation: These sites had never installed WiFi, meaning there was no infrastructure baseline. Our team had to design and implement a complete, secure, and compliant network solution from the ground up.
Services Provided
We conducted detailed WiFi surveys and created a custom design for each location to ensure optimal connectivity throughout the hazardous zones.
Installation & Data Cabling: We installed ATEX-certified WiFi access points and data cabling, meticulously selecting hardware that met safety and compliance standards for Banner Chemicals’ sensitive environments.
Solution and Implementation
We started work on one site before expanding to seven sites in total. Working closely with compliance teams, we ensured each process step adhered to the stringent safety regulations governing hazardous environments. The Wi-Fi network provided the foundation for transitioning from paper-based check-ins to an electronic system. Instead of relying on manual paperwork, Banner Chemicals’ staff can now digitally book and manage chemical intake, reducing errors and increasing operational efficiency.
Results
The electronic booking system has improved the intake process, significantly reducing the time spent on manual data entry and minimising errors, allowing staff to concentrate on core tasks. With an ATEX-approved solution, we ensured Banner Chemicals could operate safely within hazardous zones while meeting strict regulatory standards. This solution modernised Banner Chemicals’ operations and set a new benchmark for safely connecting hazardous sites, demonstrating robust connectivity without compromising safety protocols.
Despite stringent safety and regulatory requirements, this unusual installation shows our ability to adapt. We have modernised Banner Chemicals’ operations by deploying a fully compliant, ATEX-approved WiFi network across multiple sites.
If you are looking for a WiFi solution for any type of environment, Performance Networks can help. Speak to our team today about your needs, and we can devise the best route forward together for a bespoke and scalable solution.
