01.01.06
Time for a change after one hundred and ten years.
Modern materials now offer a change in the way that detonators can be attached to a rail head. After observing the old practice of re-securing broken lead straps to detonators, the concept of a bespoke plastic clip was born for use in T3 Possessions.
Detaclip has taken four and a half years to reach the PADS database. The design is simple yet extremely effective for many reasons.
As with all new ideas, things are never straightforward. Application to product acceptance has first to be sought and this takes time. Products need to have a credible value to the industry and need support from a legitimate rail contractor before any application can be progressed.
Detaclip had the co-operation of Tony Evans of TES 2000 Ltd who was quick to see the potential in the product and the benefits which could be achieved by its use. Once certification for trial was approved, trials were undertaken by TES 2000 LTD staff on the West Coast Route between Euston and Hanslope Junction.
The trial took place between September 2005 and February 2006.
It became clear from the instant response of TES 2000 staff that the clips were simple to use and extremely effective in operational use. The response was the same in all weather conditions ranging from -6.4°C to +29.6°C.
The result of the six months trial was a 100% success rate in the durability of the product in all conditions.
Detaclip then started to evaluate the data recorded by the TES 2000 staff who recorded information on a shift basis to achieve accurate information.
All staff felt that the detonators when held in the Detaclip were held more securely to the rail head than under the existing method of securing with the lead strap.
Other advantages began to reveal themselves as the trials progressed. It was found that was quicker to lift and relay blocks after the passage of traffic.
The assembled clip could easily be lifted from the track and when relaying had only to be snapped back over the rail head in one simple action. It was found that this could be achieved one handed if needed.
Under the present system,this is a very safety critical moment as any failure at this point could leave staff without the correct number of detonators to be laid should spares not be available. With the Detaclip, 100% protection was achieved every time.
It was also reported by TES 2000 staff that they felt happier when using the Detaclips as they no longer had to handle the lead and lead oxide dust which is often present when handling detonators.
From an environmental point of view, the lead straps can be removed at the depot at point of issue and the lead disposed of in the appropriate manner. Furthermore, a recycled copolymer is used in the manufacture of the new clips. When the clips reach their life expectancy date, they can again be recycled for further use into other products.
The tests were run in parallel with the existing method of protection. Based on accurate trial data, using Detaclip can achieve savings in the region of seventy five percent or more, depending on usage, due to the fact that detonators can now achieve their full working life potential of their five year life span.
The product is due to be launched on February 14th 2007
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