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Lyons Leads the Way in ISO Cabin Filtration Standards

Airborne dust particles can cause short term impact on mining productivity and long-term impacts on workers’ health. Safe to Work speaks to Lyons Airconditioning Services about how it combines its renowned Australian knowledge with Sy-Klone International’s cab air quality systems and air filtration products to lead the way in dust control and help mining companies meet ISO 23875, the soon to be published mining industry specific air quality standard.

Sy-Klone and Lyons Airconditioning Services are partnering to give companies like Rio Tinto, Fortescue Metals Group and Macmahon Holdings direction and consultation on dust control.

Perth-based Lyons is ensuring that dust control measures used across Australian mines meet International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards, ensuring safety for workers. One such standard is ISO 23875 “Operator enclosures – Air quality control systems and air quality performance testing,” which is expected to be published in Q1 2021. Lyons is actively working with mining companies across Australia to help address the performance requirements outlined in the standard, in part by installing Sy-Klone’s ISO 23875 compliant RESPA® cab air quality system.

Dust particles and airborne contaminants found in mining environments, such as coal, silica and asbestos dust, as well as odours, can filter into the cabin and be breathed in by workers.

They can cause long-term health conditions like coal mine dust lung disease, silicosis, mixed dust pneumoconiosis, dust-related diffuse fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

With the introduction of new Industrial laws across Australia, and new international standards, such as ISO 23875, the onus is more than ever on mining companies to take care of their employees’ health and wellbeing.

 

Lyons Airconditioning Services is guarding mine workers from these health risks, distributing Sy-Klone’s range of RESPA pressurizer, precleaner and filtration system; high efficiency RadialSHIELD® filters; and cabin pressure monitor throughout the mining and construction industry to block out nanoparticles and other harmful contaminants, keeping them out of vehicles and safeguarding workers.

As Lyons general manager Emmanuel Lardis explains, the companies are united by their common goal to protect workers and set the benchmark for cabin filtration safety.

“With our ability to maintain dust concentration levels well below required limits we are protecting the operator’s lung health and giving them a chance to live a long productive life. By keeping contaminants and dangerous dust particles outside of the machine’s cab, Lyons is keeping the operator safe and making sure they get home for that day and the next 20 to 30 years down the track,” Lardis tells Safe to Work.

“Sy-Klone’s and Lyons’ combined team of experts are able to formulate solutions to meet the latest international standards, including the new mining air quality standard, ISO 23875.”

ISO 23875 covers safety in mining, with an emphasis on air quality control and how to implement effective air quality control systems, dilution of carbon dioxide (CO2) and routine testing of air throughout the cab. “ISO 23875 establishes a consistent set of operator enclosure air quality control requirements for mining companies across the globe. Lyons has the in-depth knowledge of the Australian mining industry, the mechanical expertise, and the experience installing Sy-Klone’s air filtration products, to help mining customers solve the most complex air filtration challenges; including meeting the requirements of ISO 23875,” said Austin Browne, Vice President Marketing for Sy-Klone International.

Lyons distributes Sy-Klone RadialSHIELD filters including HEPA (ISO 35 H) and MERV 16 options, both of which use high-tech filtration media, highly effective in removing biological nanoparticles such as COVID-19, silica, asbestos, and other dangerous particles from the air. Lyons not only distributes the Sy-Klone products, but also provides Australian mining clients with personalised feedback and instruction regarding their dust control measures.

“Lyons provides direction and expertise through our vast experience of more than 35 years in the mining industry,” Lardis says.

“In association with our partners, like Sy-Klone, industry associations and bodies that work in health and safety for cabin filtration, we can provide solutions that are fit for purpose for a particular site or the contaminant they are having issues with.”

Lyons was eager to partner with Sy-Klone for its global reputation and the versatility of its range, with one air filtration system having the ability to address multiple challenges and sites across a mining company’s portfolio including odour, gas and particulate filtration

Another attraction of the Sy-Klone range Lyons highlights is the superior ability to extend filter life to meet the maintenance schedule for the mining equipment.

“The reason we are moving towards the Sy-Klone range is that one system will suit multiple sites,” Lardis says.

“You install the system once and depending on what contaminant you are trying to overcome, is  the type of filter you use for that system. The system doesn’t necessarily change but the filter will. The Sy-Klone filtration products include particulate, gas, and odour options, which can be customised depending on site requirements.

“The Sy-Klone range filter is designed to last until the scheduled maintenance every 500 hours, which matches most vehicles’ maintenance service intervals. If your filter can last until your next service, you don’t need to shut down the machine. Every hour a machine is out of work, can cost hundreds of thousands in lost productivity.”

At the helm of Lyons is its team of experts, who often work remotely on site with mining companies, offering their advice on tackling contaminants that are known issues in the local area.

Lyons Senior Commercial Manager Ryan Wheeler, who along with the company’s senior technicians, is one of the experts that visits client sites to complete audits on equipment and ensure they are complying to implementation and industry standards.

“Lyons works closely with clients to advise them on overcoming issues they are having on site, so we can provide a solution to protect operators inside the cabins,” Wheeler tells Safe to Work.

Why Sy-Klone is Outstanding for your Cabin Filtration?

Let’s get straight to the point. The Sy-Klone systems ‘point loads’ the air filter.

Why does this matter? Longer filter life.

Traditional pressurisers use a vacuum to pull air through a filter, resulting in an accumulation of dust and debris at the strongest vacuum point that increases restriction and reduces filter life. Also, the vacuum power causes particles to collide harshly into the filter media, lodging into the filter and permanently damaging the media, reducing the filter’s efficiency at stopping future dust and debris.
Sy-Klone Respa CF2 Filtration SystemThe Sy-Klone

RESPA-CF2 instead uses a fan to control airflow through the system. After ejecting the largest dust and debris, the RESPA ‘point loads’ the air filter, gently landing the smallest particles on top of the filter in an  even pattern. This layer of fine dust then falls off the filter face – or self-cleans – through normal operating activities such as machine vibration and back pressure caused when the cab door shuts. This results in less dust in the cab, less dust build-up on the evaporator core, and better performance between service intervals.

Longer filter life, better protection for operators, more uptime for the machine. That’s the point.

That’s the Sy-Klone difference.

 Additional Benefits of Sy-Klone Cabin Air Filtration Systems – Respa

  • One system interchangeable with multiple filters
  • Change filters to suit contaminant on site without changing system
  • Tough rugged design to suit Australia’s harsh conditions and sites
  • Meets the proposed Standard of ISO23875 (due for release first quarter 2021)
  • Powered Pre-cleaner removes 90+% of dust before it reaches the fi­lter
  • Extends the life of the filter
  • Only clean air is delivered to HVAC system, reducing expensive repairs.
  • Standard and Extended Length systems available (Up to 500-1000 hours)
  • Corrosion resistant fan blades
  • CF2 has multiple outlet rotation positions, every 10 degrees (3 & 4inch outlets)
  • Provides sufficient fresh air intake & exchange to maintain CO2 levels with sealed cab
  • Continuously monitors pressurisation and built-in alarm and remote monitoring, alerts the operator when pressurisation levels go outside of the allowable threshold while maintaining uninterrupted HVAC performance
  • Recirculation system supports recirculation efficiency and decay rate time
  • Sy-Klone team is the leading working group currently piloting ISO 23875 installations in Canada.
  • Holistic solutions for cabin, recirculation and engine filtration

For more information and the right advice, contact the experts at Lyons Air-Conditioning and Filtration Services on (08) 9259 7777 or email enquiries@lyons.com.au

Why Choose Sy-Klone Cabin Filtration Technology

Cabin filtration has become a growing concern with the welfare of personnel being a priority. The exposure of hazardous contaminants, allergens and air born carcinogens can have a major impact

Dust contaminants and Silica are hazards

to the individual, company and industry. A renewed health focus especially in mining and construction is seen as an imperative standard to protect the health of operators who are working and exposed to respirable dust in above and below ground situations.

The trend is towards ever finer filtration. In recent years, the demand for high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA filters) has risen. These products allow the retention of more than 99.99% of all particles.

Particles that are smaller than 2.5 micrometers like silica dust can have extreme health consequences. The mucous membranes of the nose and throat or nasal hairs can capture only some of these particles. They are particularly harmful to health because they can trigger inflammations in the lungs and transport toxic substances. Such particles are deposited mainly in the lower respiratory tracts and the lungs. They are considered a cause of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as asthma. They are also believed to have a carcinogenic effect.

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a mineral that is part of sand, rock, and mineral ores such as quartz. It mostly affects workers exposed to silica dust in occupations such mining, glass manufacturing, and foundry work. Over time, exposure to silica particles causes scarring in the lungs, which can harm your ability to breathe.

Lyons expertise in the area of cabin and HVAC filtration ensures a fit for purpose solution. Sy-Klone’s self-cleaning filtration system are arguably considered the best value for money filtration

Sy-Klone pressurisers offer filtration protection

Cabin Pressurisers have become the norm in mining

systems available to the mining and construction industries. This is backed up by some of the largest and most experienced multinational mining companies specifying Sy-Klone for all their heavy mobile equipment.

The main benefits of Sy-Klone technology are:

  • Self-cleaning and maintenance free filtration system*
  • Minimised filter costs
  • Increase uptime
  • Extended filter life of up to double that of others
  • High grade filtration including HEPA (XLR removes 99.99% of ISO fine test dust)
  • Uncomplicated installation method by a qualified installer (Lyons)
  • Filtration protection options for personnel, engine and HVAC system

    Sy-Klone offers solutions for multiple applications

Sy-Klone’s applications, including heavy equipment, mining, agriculture, fire and rescue, military, construction, demolition, and forestry. It complies with international filtration and manufacturing standards that consistently meet or exceed industry requirements.

The RESPA range of Sy-Klone is the most advanced Cab Air Quality System available, delivering pre-cleaner, filter, and pressuriser in one compact, customisable unit. This innovation offers the highest quality of filtration.

Sy-Klone protects the engine as well as the occupants

Lyons and Sy-Klone are serious about air quality in operator enclosures and engines. MERV 16*/F9 filter (minimum level of filtration recommended by NIOSH for mining operations) uses unique “Nano Technology” with “self-cleaning” filter media which dramatically extends the filter life.

The HEPA filter is manufactured to the highest quality standard. Not only does your operator breathe easier, but HVAC systems stay clean and healthy as well.

System Type RESPA Model Powered Engine MERV 16* HEPA Odor/HEPA Gas/HEPA
Fresh Air Precleaning & Filtration RESPA-CF2 •**
Recirculated Air Filtration RESPA-CFX
RESPA-FFX2
Engine Precleaning & Filtration XLR Powered Pre-cleaner
* References to MERV16 are specific to the filter media.
** Gas/HEPA filter for use with Extended Length RESPA-CF2 only.

Lyons have teamed up with Sy-Klone to provide you the best advice for your mobile and static fleet filtration and HVAC system requirements. With over 35 years’ experience in servicing industries throughout Australia and the world, Lyons is the only name to know, to ensure the solution you seek is the right one.

Call us now on (08) 9259 7777 or email enquiries@lyons.com.au and speak to one of our experts to make sure you keep safe, comfortable and productive all year round.