BakerRisk Launches New Version of HACTool with New Features

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants (BakerRisk^®), an employee-owned risk management consulting firm, is pleased to announce the launch of the new version of its proprietary Hazardous Area Classification (HAC) software, HACTool^©. The new release now incorporates elements that align with the latest revisions of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) codes.

The latest HACTool developments will provide specialists with improved reporting capabilities with the goal to minimize ignition risk from flammable and combustible materials.

“HACTool was originally created to automate the process of executing a 3-Dimensional Hazardous Area Classification for larger studies. For technical teams executing this level of work, it can become an overwhelming process that may impact the degree of efficiency and precision needed to develop the most credible studies,” said Murtaza Gandhi, Manager of Qualitative Risk & Sustainability and Principal Process Safety Engineer at BakerRisk.

New features included in the updated software are:

• Support for global standards — NFPA 497/499 and IEC 60079-10-1/60079-10-2
• Custom contours
• 3D contour viewing
• Integration with AutoCAD or image tiles
• Use of the DIPPR database

“Through this software, we are supporting technical teams in avoiding rework, directly impacting costs and timeliness of project scope. Now that we have incorporated the latest revisions that align with the newly updated NFPA and IEC, we are doing our part in providing the most reliable software capabilities to teams searching to alleviate their workload,” he added.

What is HACTool?

HACTool is our proprietary Hazardous Area Classification software developed to automate HAC studies, transforming the process from a manual, drawing-based methodology into an intelligent, data-driven engineering workflow. HACTool helps owners/operators and engineering teams automate compliance, build internal expertise, reduce lifecycle costs and manage HAC as a living digital asset.

The software helps users create a well-documented study using a cost-savings approach while ensuring compliance with global HAC standards for both flammable materials and combustible dusts, as well as assist teams onsite lower expenditures on classified equipment due to its detailed point source methodology as compared to broad unit-wide classification.

The HACTool   software allows for the following:

• Empower engineering teams to perform and execute HAC studies internally, standardizing engineering practices across sites, build institutional knowledge, and scale HAC capabilities across organizations.
• Improve efficiency and cost reduction by automating complex regulatory requirements while optimizing facility design and reducing unnecessary classified equipment.
• Support compliance with current industry methodologies such as NEC, NFPA 497, NFPA 499, IEC 60079-10-1, IEC 60079-10-2.
• Manage change with confidence by maintaining a centralized repository of equipment, process conditions, hazardous materials, and classifications that evolve with facilities.
• Secures communication across organizations through an HTML format, making HAC information accessible without requiring CAD software. Teams can share results with multiple parties (i.e., operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors) and utilize mobile devices to access drawings, improving collaboration and field usability.

About BakerRisk

Since 1984, Baker Engineering and Risk Consultants, Inc. (BakerRisk^®) has taken a comprehensive approach to helping clients identify hazards, manage risk, and keep people safe. Today, we earn our customers’ respect by providing full-spectrum risk management solutions alongside transparent, data-driven advice. Our team of dedicated engineers and scientists have successfully provided risk management solutions in over 75 countries to industries ranging from oil and gas to manufacturing to agriculture.

BakerRisk is 100% employee owned. With over 200 experts/owners across seven offices globally, BakerRisk offers internationally renowned risk management services that prioritize hazard mitigation, personnel and property protection, and regulatory compliance.