Safety is paramount when working with ULO, CA, or CATT storage cells. While ULO/CA cells have traditionally been used extensively for fruit storage, they are increasingly being adopted in the bulb sector as well. A growing number of tulip growers are choosing ULO/CATT treatment to control tulip gall mite.
Safety first
Salco supplies gas-tight doors capable of sealing ULO/CA/CATT storage cells. For that reason, we consider it important that you know how to operate our doors safely.
Closing and opening a gas-tight door
In the video below, our colleague demonstrates step by step what this involves. The video shows a vertical gas‑tight door (type KHG‑1810V), but the general protocol also applies to other gas‑tight door types.
Available in multiple languages
The video is spoken in Dutch and is available with Dutch, English, German, and Polish subtitles.
English:
Here is an overview of the steps once more:
Sealing the gas‑tight cell:
- Ensure that the floor and the door frame remain clean, and check this before sealing the door gas‑tight. This ensures proper contact of the sealing rubbers.
- Inspect the sealing rubbers, especially in the corners of the door.
- IMPORTANT: Check that no people or animals remain inside the cell before closing the door.
- Close the door using the control button and remove the key from the lock.
- Secure the clamps on the door to the frame. The clamps should apply only light tension, as the inflatable seal will ultimately close the door.
- Inflate the inflatable seal to a maximum of 0.5 bar.
- Check the pressure on the pressure gauge.
- Store the key according to the guidelines in your safety protocol.
While the gas‑tight cell is closed:
- Check that the pressure in the inflatable seal remains stable. Initially, the pressure may drop as the air inside the rubber cools. Add air if necessary.
Opening a gas‑tight cell:
- IMPORTANT: Ventilate the cell before opening the door and verify that the oxygen level is at a safe value. The method of ventilation and the way oxygen levels are displayed differ per cell. Opening a gas‑tight cell without these safety measures is life‑threatening!
- Remove the valve cap and press the valve using the back of the cap. Air will escape and the inflatable seal will deflate.
- Check that the pressure has dropped to 0 bar.
- Release the clamps and click them into their holders.
- Finally, remove the key from its storage location.
- Unlock the control button and open the door.
Ensure that the use of the gas‑tight door is included in your safety protocol.
A protocol for safe operation of ULO cells can be downloaded from the Stigas website (in Dutch).
