Author: John Coleman BSc (Hons), MEng, MIEI, MIAM, MI Ref Eng, maintenance facilitator, Aughinish Alumina The upcoming Meeta National Maintenance Conference on ‘Risk and confidence in asset management’ will take place in Engineers Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Dublin 4 on 21 and 22 November 2013. Click here for more details. Reliability is the probability that a component or system will perform a required function for a given time when used under stated operating conditions. Reliability ...

  EirGrid is a state-owned company and the national operator of the electricity grid. The national grid is an interconnected network of high-voltage power lines and cables, comparable to the motorways, dual carriageways and main roads of the national road network. The high-voltage network is operated at three voltage levels, 400 kV (kilovolts), 220 kV and 110kV, and is approximately 6,400km in overall length. It is the backbone of Ireland’s power system and is vital to ensuring that ...

  Author: Hugh O’Kelly BSc MPhil CEng FIEI FIET, engineering director, Premium Power Ltd Among the risks associated with working on live electrical equipment, the issue of arc-flash hazard has emerged as a subject of increasing focus, firstly in the USA and more recently in Europe. This article outlines the background to arc-flash hazard assessment in both jurisdictions. It provides an overview of the relevant assessment procedures and how US standards should be considered in the ...

  Author: Lt Col Mick Moran, C Eng. FIFE, aeronautical engineer and quality assurance manager, Defence Forces of Ireland Air Corps For nearly a century, the Irish Air Corps has been serving the Irish State. Whether rescuing an Irish citizen from war-torn Libya or extinguishing large gorse fires in Donegal, the Air Corps fleet has always remained ready to defend, protect and support the citizens of Ireland. The mission statement of the Irish Air Corps is “to deliver the airpower ...

  Author: irBEA Management Committee  Ireland, due to its island status and geographic location, is reaping the benefits of wind energy. However, the bioenergy sector has the potential to play a vital role in helping Ireland to meet the challenging targets set by the EU on renewable energy and climate change. In addition, it offers a more environmentally sustainable waste-management option, helping Ireland to achieve EU Landfill Directive requirements and reduce costs. Moreover, ...

  Author: Mel McIntyre, managing director, OpenApp Last week’s 12-year anniversary of 9/11 reminds us of the importance of co-ordination and clarity of roles as part of the effective response to major disasters. The E Zone module within Health Atlas Ireland is designed to help address such issues in the preparation and response to major emergencies in Ireland. The Framework for Major Emergency Management 2006 is an agreed structure which enables An Garda Síochána, the Health Service ...