At HMi Elements, for more than 35 years quality has been at the core of everything that we do. It’s not just a nice to have, it really can be the difference between smooth sailing and serious consequences, especially when working in Zone1 and Zone 2 mission critical hazardous environments.
There are alternative products out there, promising cheaper price points, but the risk of cutting corners can be significant.
Here, we’re breaking down exactly why you should be investing in high quality HMIs for your Z1 and Z2 hazardous area requirements, and the consequences of not choosing high quality products for your business.
What is the reality of a poor-quality product being used in hazardous environments?
In Z1 and Z2 hazardous environments, the reality of poor-quality electrical equipment and human-machine interfaces (HMIs) can be catastrophic. Shoddy or faulty equipment, when operating under extreme conditions, can lead to injury, mass damage, expensive rig downtime or environmental disaster.
Areas like oil rigs and drill sites must have high-quality equipment in order to operate safely. It's not just a box-ticking exercise; it complies with global essential health and safety requirements.
Having the best quality equipment in place helps to minimise downtime, meaning minimal disruption and expense, as well as safeguarding your team and business.
Downtime, and its aftermath, can be incredibly costly, especially in industries like oil and gas, where it’s been reported to cost these companies an average of $49m - $88m per year[1].
Associated clean up, legal fees, repairs or replacements for equipment, and insurance costs can quickly mount up, reaching figures in the billions[2]. There’s also the reputational damage and negative media attention that comes hand in hand with any major issue of this kind.
Opting for quality rather than a cheap quick fix will always be more cost-effective and deliver better return on investment in the long run. Even if a cheap alternative is suitable, it will likely need replacing much sooner, resulting in down time and higher costs.
How does HMi Elements compare to other similar HMI products on the market?
While cheaper alternatives exist, at HMi Elements, we pride ourselves on providing the best of the best, giving our customers and partners peace of mind that their products, team and wider business are safe and protected.
Why HMi Elements’ products are better:
- All our products are built by hand, by our own team of experts - this means we can control all aspects of the build and ensure that each individual element is secure and is compliant with the highest standards
- Each component is recorded providing a full audit trail checked by our in-house team - with some parts crafted in-house to guarantee quality and compatibility
- We adhere to a wide range of industry standards and requirements, investing significantly each year on audits and accreditations to maintain those standards.
What quality standards does HMi Elements adhere to?
- ISO9001:2015 - this ISO accreditation is the internationally recognised standard for Quality Management Systems (QMS), which provides a prescribed framework of rules which drive us to consistently deliver top quality products.
- ISO14001:2015 – this is another international standard that focusses on effective environmental management systems (EMS). While this is a voluntary standard, it is important to us that we are compliant. While achieving our own environmental objectives, we are supporting our customers in achieving and evidencing theirs.
- UKCA – this is the UK equivalent to the EU’s CE marking and is used for products placed on the market in Great Britain, assuring customers that it meets the required UK standards and legislation.
- MET US – this is a product safety certification for the US and Canada, that shows a product has met the strict safety requirements for standards set by agencies such as UL and CSA
- DNV GL – this mark indicates that a product, service, or management system has been certified by DNV (the merged company of Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer). DMV hold our Quality Assurance Notification (QAN&UKQAN) and Quality Assurance Reports (QAR) which ensures that both our manufacturing processes and products meet the requirements of the ATEX directives, UK SI legislation, and IECEx rules.
- ATEX – this EU certification is about protecting workers and controlling equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. It reviews both product safety and process safety
- IECEx – It is a global system that ensures equipment meets IEC standards for Hazloc safety. This marking identifies electrical equipment that is certified for use in explosive atmospheres.
We have been ISO 9001 certified for over 12 years and are proud to always go above and beyond where quality is concerned. It was important to us to seek ISO 9001 certification, with over 70%[3] of customers globally recognising an ISO 9001 accreditation as a mark of quality, professionalism (63%), and credibility (54%), we wanted to provide that peace of mind to those who choose a HMi Elements product with a recognised symbol.
You can view the certificates of compliance for all of our products here.
What procedures are in place to ensure quality?
At HMi Elements, we have a number of processes in place to make sure we are operating at the highest level of quality and that are products are always meeting the required criteria for our customers and their safety.
- Dedicated quality team
We have an internal quality assurance team to support our business in ensuring quality, from an order being placed, through to build, distribution and any required maintenance throughout its lifecycle.
The main purpose of this team is to ensure we are maintaining quality, and therefore safety, throughout our processes. Both where our products are concerned, and also for our team.
- Product testing and lifecycle commitments
No products leave without complying with our high standards. And we don’t wash our hands of it when it leaves our site. We have a dedicated service and repairs team in the UK and Texas who can support customers throughout the lifecycle of our products.
Each product undergoes rigorous testing and review as it is being manufactured, leading towards a production final inspection. This includes final inspection evidence photos and product serial number logging, all on a bespoke and highly customised cloud-based system which is unique to HMi Elements.
- Continuous audits and improvements
Our operations are audited regularly to ensure continued compliance - we undergo multiple agency audits per year to maintain our accreditations and make sure that we are continuing to operate at the best level possible.
We also audit our Ex suppliers on an annual basis to ensure that components that we buy in, comply with our standards and requirements, a pre-requisite to providing a safe and reliable product.
When you choose a HMi Elements product, you’re investing in quality that lasts. No corners are cut, every detail is considered to ensure your product is safe, effective and built to endure. That means you can rely on it to perform, and keep your operation running smoothly.
To find out more about how we can support your business, get in touch today.
[1] Offshore Magazine https://www.offshore-mag.com/business-briefs/article/16755967/digitization-holds-key-to-unlocking-oil-and-gas-industrys-potential
[2] BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-10910612
[3] Certiget https://certiget.eu/en/guides/report-perception-of-iso-certified-companies