Netherlocks Safety Systems BV has designed and patented a unique shipping & commissioning key, known as the “Q-card”. Netherlocks Managing Director Albert Buschgens said, “It is a well know problem that it is very difficult and time-consuming to pressure test pipelines fitted with valve interlocks”. Interlocks are fitted to process control valves to ensure the valves are opened and closed in a predetermined and safe sequence; as a result and for safety reasons, you cannot change the operating sequence, which means that in some cases not all of the valves in the system can be closed during pressure testing. In order to eliminate this problem Netherlocks have designed the Q-Card, which is used as a commissioning key which can only be used once. With the Q-Card the locks start to be “invisible”, all tests can be done without the key sequence dilemma. After the valves are commissioned the Q-cards are replaced with the appropriate in-service keys that will ensure the predetermined key exchange sequence can only be followed in the correct direction. Once a Q-Card is released it is not possible to use it again.
