Chemical loadingstations

There is no room for error when handling chemicals. By combining technical expertise, regulatory understanding and extensive experience, we create safe, durable and user-friendly solutions for loading and unloading chemicals – always tailored to each customer’s reality.

Expertise we offer

We design and implement complete chemical management systems – from initial analysis to operational plant. With a focus on both functionality and safety, we take every detail into account.

  • Pre-study and concept design
  • Security structures
  • Loading and unloading arms
  • Environmental safety and spill management
  • Electricity, instrumentation and automation
  • Design and expert support
  • Installation and commissioning
  • Maintenance services
The customer's requirements and wishes are the starting point, based on which we tailor the best solution.

Jyri Halkola, Director, Plant and Process Design, Unloading and Loading Sites

From need to finished solution

Since 2014, we have helped industrial customers build and develop stations for safe chemical handling. Often these are environments where productivity is business-critical – and where every detail must work together. We work closely with our customers to find the right solution from the start, with a focus on long-term operational reliability, ergonomics and sustainability.

Our projects start with a thorough feasibility study where we identify needs, risks and technical conditions. With the support of 3D laser scanning, we get an accurate picture of the environment and can create a customized design. We then take responsibility for installation, testing, commissioning and continued service.

Chemical Loading

What we can help you with

We start with a preliminary design for the development of the safety and usability of a chemical loading or unloading site, which helps us to determine the needs of each site. In the preliminary design, we also consider issues related to leak management and environmental issues. Based on the preliminary design, we design the most suitable solutions for the site, including fall protection, loading and unloading arms, environmental safety, electrification and automation.

In addition, based on the cost estimate prepared in connection with the preliminary design, applying for an investment permit is also easy. After the preliminary design, we offer and implement a complete delivery for the modernization of the entire loading site to the agreed extent and on a turnkey basis.

CE-marked and easy-to-use safety structures and fall protection offer a reliable solution for safe working at height. Our safety structures are suitable for loading and unloading areas of tanker trucks and trains in factories and liquid terminals, among other places.

The safety structure’s model-protected frame meets the ergonomics and safety requirements of the SFS-EN ISO 14122-3 care level standard. We can cost-effectively tailor the safety structure with the functionalities you want. Our safety structures are suitable for explosive atmospheres in accordance with ATEX legislation.

Loading arms are used in terminals and plants to load various liquids, such as chemicals and fuels, from the plant process to the tanker truck and train wagon. The unloading arm, in turn, is used to empty the tank, where the liquid is pumped into the plant process or storage tank. Loading and unloading arms are available as both upper and lower arms, which enable the loading or unloading of the tanker truck without hoses.

By using loading and unloading arms, the loading or unloading process can be carried out safely and ergonomically, because the arms avoid the handling of heavy hoses and the risk of leakage and tripping caused by them. The arms can also be implemented with pneumatic relief, making handling really effortless. Prevas loading and unloading arms are CE marked products.

The dimensions and functions of the loading and unloading arms must be designed to be suitable for the loading site environment, so that the arm is suitable for use with the loading site's safety structure and so that the loading arm fits the customer's loading process. We always tailor the materials and equipment of the arms according to needs and requirements.

The following laws and regulations regarding environmental safety must be taken into account at chemical loading and unloading sites:

  • Environmental Protection Act 527/2014
  • Act on the Safety of Handling Hazardous Chemicals and Explosives 390/2005
  • Government Decree 856/2012 Decree on Safety Requirements for the Industrial Handling and Storage of Hazardous Chemicals
  • Government Decree 685/2015 Decree on Requirements for the Handling and Storage of Hazardous Chemicals

Environmental protection and occupational safety are the most important aspects to consider when determining the compliance of a loading and unloading site. In addition, we have solid expertise in the management of chemical spills.

It is important to conduct a safety review of loading and unloading sites at all terminals and factories where chemicals and other liquids are loaded or unloaded from tanker trucks or rail cars. We also tailor solutions for existing loading and unloading locations, which significantly improve the environmental safety of the areas.

Electrification of chemical loading and unloading areas includes the implementation of equipment, control systems and the environment related to the loading or unloading process, such as traffic lights, lighting, and fire extinguishing and fire alarm systems. The needs for electrification, instrumentation and automation are defined already in the pre-design phase, which minimizes changes during implementation, but also saves both time and costs. We always deliver in a fully operational state.

When developing an existing loading or unloading area or building a completely new one, there is sometimes a need for other design services. We carry out even challenging design assignments for various needs

Typical design services related to loading and unloading areas include:

  • Steel structure design
  • Pipe design
  • Concrete structure design
  • Risk assessments
  • Project management services

Maintenance and repair services ensure that equipment is serviced and inspected in accordance with a defined maintenance schedule, and that the equipment remains in working order without malfunctions resulting from neglect of maintenance. The content and scope of maintenance and repair services are always defined according to the needs of the site.

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