Using ESD Valves As Safeguards, Myth or Reality?

An Emergency shutdown valve is a safety device to be actuated during an emergency situation to prevent hazardous consequences. The ESD valves are to be designed not to create additional hazards when actuated but due to operational constraints some times ESD valves are bypassed which contradicts best practices; but sometimes lack of regulations drive users to overlook the potential risk. This paper presents experiences during HAZOPs/field observations where installed ESD valves are claim to be safeguards but are not. The intent of this paper is to call the attention of designers, operators and managers of the potential problems they may have if ESD valves are not real safeguards.