Qmi receives Lloyd’s Register type approval

Quality Monitoring Instruments (QMI), manufacturer of premium engine & atmospheric oil mist detection systems, has received Type Approval certification from classification society Lloyd’s Register for its engine oil mist detection system. Having received ABS Type Approval in 2014, the LR certification follows the successful calibration testing of QMI’s Multiplex and Triplex products at Cardiff University’s gas turbine laboratory, the only facility in the UK capable of processing oil mist in a safe environment to test systems in accordance with the stringent IACS M67 protocol. QMI Managing Director, Josh Smith said: “The IACS M67 rule specifies the parameters for crankcase oil mist detection equipment in diesel engines. They are exceptionally complex calibration tests so we are delighted to have received type approval from LR. The tests verify the functionality and effectiveness of our Multiplex and Triplex systems in detecting oil mist concentrations of between 0.05 and 2.0mg/l to an accuracy of ±10%.” Unlike other systems that use light obscuration technology, QMI is the original manufacturer of oil mist detection to have adopted Nephelometry as a way of detecting oil mist. This is a proprietary light scatter technology that provides 100% alarm reliability and a 100% safety record. “Conventional oil mist detectors are susceptible to spurious alarms and respond slowly to oil mist changes, but our technology is pre-calibrated and performs better than embedded bearing temperature sensors,” said Smith. “These systems are proven to be ineffective when monitoring the upper part of a crankcase and early stage wear and tear is not detected resulting in an increased risk of an oil mist fire. QMI technology stops major fires and explosions before they happen.” QMI systems are protecting the marine engines and machine rooms for some of the world’s leading ship owners and operators, including A P Møller Maersk, Princess Cruises, BP Shipping, Shell, Carnival Cruises, Teekay and Wallenius Lines. The UK-based company will be sharing a stand with Atlas Marine at the IMPA exhibition (booth 12A/13) and conference in London on the 9th & 10th September, where QMI representatives will be on hand to advise on how best to protect ships from oil mist fires or explosions.