Case StudiesImproving Lighting Maintenance Safety on Chemical Storage Tanks at IRPC

Project Overview

IRPC Public Company Limited, a key player in Thailand’s petrochemical industry, undertook a significant upgrade project to replace light fixtures and improve maintenance safety across its chemical storage tanks in Rayong. With the inherent hazards of elevated maintenance work in such environments, IRPC sought a safer, more efficient solution for accessing lighting equipment.

Swivelpole™, in partnership with Wholesale Electric Asia (WEA), provided and installed over 150 Maxis™ joints (model R1-M2-50-HG) into existing DN 50 (OD 60.3mm) poles across the tank farm facility.

Challenges

Maintaining lighting fixtures located on top of chemical storage tanks posed multiple challenges:

High-risk access areas: Elevated walkways and tank tops required strict safety protocols.

Expensive and time-consuming setups: Traditional maintenance required scaffolding or elevated work platforms.

Safety hazards: Regular lighting maintenance exposed workers to fall risks and potential exposure to hazardous substances.

Solution

The installation of Swivelpole™ Maxis™ joints enabled IRPC’s maintenance team to safely lower pole-mounted lighting to walkway level for inspection and servicing. This eliminated the need for scaffolding or elevated platforms, significantly reducing maintenance time and enhancing worker safety.

This retrofit approach used existing poles, making the solution cost-effective and minimally disruptive to ongoing plant operations. The Maxis™ joints were a perfect fit for the site's DN 50 poles and were installed seamlessly across the facility.

Results

Cost Efficiency: The conversion and lighting upgrade saved significant costs on equipment rental and labour.

Safety: Reduced risks by eliminating the need for working at heights.

Futureproofing: Lowering poles will simplify future maintenance or replacement of light fixtures as some lights will need to be replaced at some stage before closure.

"Collaborating with IRPC on this project has clearly demonstrated the value Swivelpole™ brings to safety and operational efficiency in petrochemical environments. By retrofitting more than 150 existing poles with Maxis™ joints, we've eliminated the need for scaffolding and significantly reduced maintenance risks. Swivelpole™ is purpose-built for high-risk industries like this."

Wholesale Electric Asia (WEA), Thailand

"Partnering with Swivelpole™ and WEA (Thailand) has significantly enhanced maintenance safety across our tank farm. The retrofit solution featuring Maxis™ joints has helped us eliminate high-risk access scenarios while maintaining smooth operational continuity. It also effectively reduces maintenance costs, such as those related to scaffolding and forklift usage. This smart and efficient upgrade truly reflects our ongoing commitment to safety and continuous innovation."

IRPC Public Company Limited