Legislation and Compliance Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

25/06/2021 Learning how to interpret a vibration signal from rotating machinery Vibration analysis is a powerful way of looking at rotating machinery, not just for one-off diagnosis of a problem but for ongoing machine condition monitoring. There are recognised routes to learn how to do this. By Toby Clark » Read More

25/06/2021 Choosing the right valve for efficient steam temperature control From beer brewing to cheese production, temperature control using steam is utilised across various applications in the food and beverage sector. The control valve is key, and precise specification is vital to optimise product quality and ... » Read More

17/06/2021 Avoid forking out on costly repairs Every forklift requires care from both a safety and operational perspective, but failing to make the right calls can prove expensive » Read More

17/06/2021 SPMTs: trailers that lead the way Deployed linked together in ranks and files, SPMTs can meet the scale of huge structural components, unlike other types of construction equipment. That means that they are the solution to shift and lift just about anything large, awkward ... » Read More

10/06/2021 Lift-off for no-logo diagnostics A greater number of third parties are now accessing data for lift diagnostics, ending reliance on OEM maintenance contracts. By Steed Webzell » Read More

10/06/2021 Railway retrofit An emissions treatment system adapted from commercial vehicles provides a possible way to improve air quality in the rail network. By James Thorpe, senior sales manager, Eminox » Read More

28/05/2021 Sewer heat recovery There is a hidden and rarely used energy source in domestic buildings that has the potential to bring balance to the perceived uncertainty of the future energy grid mix. Now, wastewater heat recovery systems (WWHRS) are being included in ... » Read More

28/05/2021 Domestic gas boiler control developments A Dutch association of boiler makers promotes a brand-agnostic communication standard between boilers and their controllers that reflects more efficient control methods then are currently in common use in the UK » Read More

27/05/2021 Broaderband: 5G trials point the way to future of industrial connectivity Trials of wireless data networks aim to prove out that its promised data rates live up to expectations in the real world. By extension, they explore how, if they do, industry will change as a result. By Toby Clark » Read More

27/05/2021 Digital twins Sometimes it can be difficult to assess the damage caused by weather or corrosion. Digital twins are an emerging technique which creates a high-resolution virtual version of an asset that can be used as a comparator during its lifetime, ... » Read More

20/05/2021 Machine monitoring enters neutral territory With most manufacturers running a shop of mixed machine tools, the need for vendor-agnostic condition monitoring and production analytics is clear. By Steed Webzell » Read More

20/05/2021 Reading the warning signs Flow sensors for measuring the progress of liquids in process applications are vital – but they are definitely not ‘fit-and-forget’. By Brian Wall » Read More

14/05/2021 The case for industrial sprinkler systems In early April, when industrial fires broke out in two different locations, they both had the same devastating outcome. Neither building contained a sprinkler system and both businesses are now counting the cost of the damage and dealing ... » Read More

13/05/2021 Mitigating methane slip Although touted as more eco-friendly than liquid fuels, there’s a less benign side to methane, the main ingredient of natural gas. And that relates to its effect when it escapes before combustion, according to Toby Clark » Read More

13/05/2021 SECR environmental reporting - a guide Many companies in the UK will be reporting their greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption under the government’s new streamlined energy and carbon reporting (SECR) policy for the first time this year, writes Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

06/05/2021 Mind the gap Engineered systems support people living and working indoors. However, there is often a gap between the way those systems were designed to work, and what happens in reality. Enter the growing field of building performance evaluation. By ... » Read More

06/05/2021 Cooking on gas A Dutch association of boiler makers promotes a brand-agnostic communication standard between boilers, heat pumps and their controllers that reflects more efficient control methods then are currently in common use in the UK. By Will ... » Read More

29/04/2021 Constant top-up Although automatic lubrication systems don’t do away with servicing requirements altogether – they still need to be checked and replenished – such systems do offer plants greater confidence that rotating equipment will not run dry. By ... » Read More

29/04/2021 Green lubrication Technological developments are breaking down the traditional division between eco-friendly and high-performance industrial lubricants. The developments are being pushed by consumer demand. By Jody Muelaner » Read More

22/04/2021 Under pressure from COVID While the inspection of pressure vessels is of huge importance, the HSE has understandably made allowances for the way that COVID has impacted this. But what exactly are the rules – and what actions remain non-negotiable? By Brian Wall » Read More

22/04/2021 The benefits of reducing steam pressure A back-to-basics look at the drawbacks and benefits of high-pressure steam, and how to best manage it in process conditions. By Spirax Sarco trainer Mike Maslanka » Read More

15/04/2021 AM goes big Since the technology was invented in the 1980s, one of the aims of additive manufacturing (AM) has been to mass-produce components and parts, not just producing prototypes. As the production technologies continue to mature, suppliers are ... » Read More

15/04/2021 Are robots the solution? Although the UK has historically trailed other nations in robot adoption, it seems there is market optimism for a brighter and more automated future. By Steed Webzell » Read More

08/04/2021 The enemy in the room In a further move to protect the workforce, HSE inspectors are targeting firms that flout the rules on dealing with dust hazards. And high on the list of offenders is hardwood. By Brian Wall » Read More

08/04/2021 How Agile Vehicle Technology developed an all-terrain vehicle Five years ago, Agile Vehicle Technology spotted a gap in the market for an industrial-grade, hydrostatic vehicle that could operate on any terrain while maintaining manoeuvrability, speed, robustness, value for money and a heavy load ... » Read More