Today, our mission is: We assess, and we also provide knowledge and experience. In doing so, we contribute to the sustainable development of the society based on knowledge and quality services and products, thus ensuring the conditions for a better quality of life.
I was trying to think of one word that would sum up everything that has been uniting us, brought us here and will continue to lead us. And I found it: TRUST.

There is a trust between the employees and external colleagues. We are on the same side, we solve tasks together and we always set new goals which we achieve in most of the cases.

You, partners, trust us as well. You trust us with your products, equipment, the latest know-how, you reveal innovative services, organisational charts and you also trust us with the employees who are trained with us.

That is the single reason why we can constructively support the economy and other stakeholders, rejoice together in their success and, of course, be successful ourselves.

Gregor Schoss

Managing Director

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After any explosion, scenes of material damage are to be expected, human injuries or fatalities aside. It is in this material damage, which at first sight makes one feel hopeless, that the investigations into the explosion are hiding some very welcome information. Broken glass on buildings is one of the key pieces of information in explosion investigations. The size of the shattered glass and the distance from the site of explosion provide the best estimate of the force of the explosion. Information on burns is also crucial, as this can be used to estimate the amount of explosive substance ignited in the explosion. All of this is valuable data for creating a simulation that gives us insight into what was really happening in those fateful moments.

Focusing on the not-so-rare example of an explosion that can occur as a result of a leaking gas cylinder in a domestic kitchen, we can quickly see how little gas from a cylinder is enough to cause a devastating explosion.

Figure 1: Kitchen model

Let’s look at this in a concrete kitchen model (Figure 1), where we have kitchen equipment with a stove to the left of the fridge. There is a gas cylinder installed in the cupboard under the stove. There is also a window to the right of the fridge and a dining table.

Gas leaks anywhere between the cylinder and the stove pose a risk of explosion in the kitchen. If we assume that the propane leak from the cylinder is a few g/s, we can work out how large an explosive atmosphere would be created. The greatest risk of explosion is in the vicinity of the cylinder, as shown in (Figure 2). The explosive atmosphere shown would result from a prolonged gas leak, assuming the kitchen door is open at all times and the gas is continuously diluted. The gas in the explosive atmosphere shown has a mass of 5g and, when mixed with air, occupies a volume of 40l.

Figure 2: Explosive atmosphere due to gas leak

From this information on the size of the explosive atmosphere, we can further simulate the explosion or the pressure spread and heat propagation through the kitchen if it were to

an explosive atmosphere ignited by one of the ignition sources. In this particular case, it could be an electrical spark on the thermostat in the oven under the hob. The three figures above show the result of simulating the blast pressure at 20ms, 50ms, and 70ms after the explosion. The red colour shows the overpressure of the explosion and the blue colour shows the underpressure of the explosion, which always follows the overpressure.

The blast pressure on the window pane to the right of the refrigerator would exceed 10mbar, which would certainly cause the glass to shatter. The pressure would also exert such a force on the dining table that it would tip over. If all this really happened, we have confirmation that the explosion simulation is correct.

Figure 3: Explosion pressure after 20ms

Figure 4: Explosion pressure after 50ms                                                     Figure 5: Explosion pressure after 70ms

Additionally, the thermal performance of the explosion can be assessed if the temperature at the centre of the explosion exceeds 2000°C. The results are shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8 at 0.5s, 1s, and 2s after the explosion.

This model shows the explosion that would occur if a gas cylinder leaked and ignited. A broken window, an overturned table and a scorched kitchen would be the most obvious signs of this explosion. But let’s not forget that only a few grams of gas are enough to cause such an explosion.

To prevent this particular explosion, the solution is cheap and easy – regular maintenance of gas installations.

Figure 6: Heat spread after 0.5s

Figure 7: Heat spread after 1s                                                                        Figure 8: Heat spread after 2s

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Our beliefs and expectations are rather “traditional”, as we are used to authentic and tasty, but in reality, the diet of modern times (in all its extremes of aesthetics, nutrition, accessibility and consumption) is the result of many developments and influences. Products have long achieved favor by addressing the local, seasonal, flavors of traditional recipes, charity, but on the other hand, through overconsumption and vices, we have caused huge amounts of food waste and the distribution of ingredients across the globe to our plates.

“After and during” such a difficult period, everyone involved in the food chain faces a number of challenges. In addition to what is happening at a global level, there are countless topics in the field of sustainable development (water, energy, waste, packaging, costs, investments, accessibility of resources and information, the need for networking, human resources, the scale and complexity of the new framework, legislation in the pipeline, etc.).

While the changes announced also include food quality and safety, their emphasis is somewhat lost in the flood of hot spots and the need for immediate action, even though this is the primary responsibility of everyone (directly or indirectly) involved in the food chain. But this responsibility is anything but a given, as it is very difficult to manage. This can also make sustainability a source of new risks.

In agriculture, for example, innovation involves new technological processes to increase production. These focus on water conservation, production using less fertiliser, perhaps the addition of micronutrients, and ensure that we “produce more with less”. They are not necessarily developing “new” products, but rather modifying existing ones, in a way trying to circumvent the existing legislation, which until recently was very closed in the EU and based on a number of precautionary measures. Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting to be more careful, frugal and responsible towards the abundance that nature offers. What is wrong is that we own it.

For example, when we interfere with its “being” through genetic technologies and modify it under the guise of “necessity” or improved taste, without considering the possible short- or long-term consequences and the new risks and imbalances, we also run a very serious risk of the reverse scenario. We no longer respect the diversity and beauty of nature here. We also no longer give absolute priority to food quality and safety, but follow our current beliefs and the reach of our information and knowledge.

As those involved in the food chain, let us therefore act in an extremely responsible way towards the consumer, even when we may not have all the answers. Let us not deviate from our integrity, so let us be thorough in our analysis of the facts.

And what can we do as consumers? Make sure our diets are varied and simple. For most pollutants, the higher the concentration of a contaminant and the longer the contaminant is consumed, the more the potential contamination has a disproportionate, adverse effect on our health.

Find out more about our services in food industry.

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When buying a measuring instrument, you may always wonder which one you would choose from the multitude of options on the market. For many people, the lowest price is often the first choice, and more rarely the maintenance, adjustment and calibration that the instrument allows in order to be used for as long as possible.

In our laboratory, sustainability definitely plays a big role in the purchase of measuring equipment. If we can regularly adjust and calibrate the instrument ourselves and have the manufacturer’s service, preferably in the EU, then we benefit greatly. We gain the most by not having to waste time adapting the software over and over again when replacing measuring equipment. We now have thousands of calibration drafts ready to go in our laboratory, and you can only imagine how much time is lost in adapting the software when changing instruments. Metrologists are also more successful in their work in the long run when using the same type of measuring equipment.

We have used a number of instruments in our laboratory for more than 25 years, some of which are still in use today. We are able to do this despite the recently lower quality production of measuring equipment.

We consider it very important that this also contributes to reducing the waste of measuring instruments. To further contribute to this, we have a metrology equipment museum at SIQ, which our visitors are eager to see. It is particularly interesting for young people who have grown up in the age of smartphones and apps.

But if a measuring instrument has to be thrown away, it is handed over to recycling companies, which can extract various materials for reuse.

As a contribution to sustainability, we are also optimising all our processes so that they are as digital and as paperless as possible. In the field of metrology, you can no longer get any paper documents, but only electronic ones with a digital signature.

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In addition to the continuous internal development of metrological methods in support of the Slovenian economy to provide the traceability of measurements, our research team regularly applies to international European research projects.

Previously, national metrology institutes dealt with research in the field of metrology by themselves, with their own assets and personnel. Soon after 2000, the idea of combining research powers emerged. Thus, in 2007, the pilot project was launched called the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) iMERA+, where several NMIs joined forces in conducting research. Even then, we joined the research within the scope of the Power & Energy project, and our participation was very successful. Within the project, frequency-independent coaxial current shunts were developed, which are essential for measuring the quality of electrical power. The shunts made at SIQ achieved the best results. They are currently used in seven countries around the world. Since the experimental project was so successful, the EMRP research projects continued in the subsequent five years.
In this period, #SIQ participated in the following projects: SmartGrids, Harvesting, Electromagnetic Characterisation of Materials for Industrial Applications up to Microwave Frequencies (EMINDA), Quantum Standard for Sampled Electrical Measurements (Q-Wave), Advanced EMC Test Methods in Industrial Environments (EMC) and SmartGrids II.
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Due to the success of the EMRP programme, the European Commission continued to co-finance metrology research with the seven-year European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR). Within this programme, we also participated in three projects, namely the more accessible use of AC quantum voltage etalons (ACQ PRO), traceability routes for electrical power quality measurements (Trace PQM) and the development of metrology capacities in the field of RF and microwaves (RF Microwave). All three projects were launched to transfer knowledge between laboratories and, consequently, to bring the knowledge of small laboratories to a higher level.
A seven-year research project programme – European Partnership on Metrology (EPM) – is currently underway in the EU, which, after completion, will lead to the establishment of centres, the so-called European Metrology Networks (EMNs), where interested national metrology institutes (NMIs) and laboratories will combine knowledge and capacities in offering metrology solutions through a single entry point to all interested users. SIQ is already included in the Smart Grid Centre.
We were successful in the applications already in the first year of the EPM. This time, we will cooperate in developing metrology starting points for standardisation, namely in the projects Metrology for Digital Measuring Stations in the Electricity System (Digital-IT) and Metrology for Emerging EMC Standards (EMC-STD).

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For this reason, the integrated development of testing new technologies remains one of the important guidelines of the Safety and Electromagnetics department. After all, every year, we allocate 10% of our revenue for developing new services, expanding our testing to new product categories, developing markets and acquiring specific knowledge in all the areas where we operate.

The development of new testing procedures is a constant in SIQ. Thus, one of the major upgrades in the last two years was the installation and arrangement of the facility for conducting photometric measurements and optical characteristics of lamps. We invested in a new LMT photogoniometer. In addition, we conducted several professional training courses in the field of lighting technology, included relevant test methods in the accredited scope and became members the European certification scheme ENEC+ within the European Testing Inspection Certification System (ETICS).

This year, we are expanding our laboratory capacities for testing environmental impacts with some powerful new chambers, as well as systems to capture, control and detect changes during exposure, and at the beginning of the coming year we plan to establish an additional EMC CISPR 25 semi-anechoic chamber for testing components from the automotive industry in the frequency range between 9kHz and 6GHz and an electromagnetic field of 200V/m.

We are considering new laboratory facilities, as the existing ones do not allow for new expansion. In the medium term, we especially want to develop functional safety, IoT, cyber security, e-mobility, electricity storage services, and establish testing capacities for the automotive industry, e-mobility, household and similar devices, medical equipment, explosion protection in new facilities. Investment in new equipment will also be crucial, especially in the new EMC semi-anechoic chamber with a 10m measurement distance comparable to the largest competing laboratories.

We want to continue our cooperation with our business partners in a comprehensive manner, including when entering the global market. In order for the department to expand and offer basic testing and certification activities to global manufacturers, we need to offer a competitive system of international approvals, particularly in terms of the ability and capacity to draw up globally recognised reports and opening up key markets to our designations. Thus, this year, we upgraded cooperation with several certification bodies around the world, in particular the MET Laboratories, USA, and with notified bodies of Great Britain, and also obtained the VCCI designation in Japan.

We also continuously improve the competencies of our employees and develop young engineering teams. We have developed digital training within the system for the virtual recording of tests, including an explanation of the requirements and important points of reference. In this way, new employees get to know the testing methods in a virtual way. We promote an encouraging work environment for employees capable of overcoming the changes and challenges of the future.

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Our partners are also faced with these challenges and strive to develop new, ever more advanced and complex products and services. In doing so, they must respond to the needs of the customers, ensure their share on the Slovenian, European or global market, take care of the efficient supply of raw materials, qualified personnel, etc. After they have taken care of the financial part and ensured that the development pays off and the employees, owners and customers are satisfied, the task is done. It sounds simple, but we all know that this is not the case.

The development process is, naturally, not without challenges, and it is followed by the independent testing, certification and calibration of products or measuring instruments, training colleagues and, of course, ensuring the harmonious operation of the organisation in terms of environmental and energy requirements, cyber security, etc. In this regard, SIQ can help with its services in the framework of four basic activities: safety and electromagnetics, the assessment of management systems, metrology and training.

All this with a view to making products and services even better and ensuring that they can be launched on the global market without further checks, tests and verifications. Our task is to choose the right standard for the product, assist in the training of personnel and certify the services according to the management system that is suitable or possibly even binding for the activity.

In doing so, we must make sure that we offer fast-track and affordable services. In addition to the continuous training of our employees, we also need to provide accreditation. This allows us to issue internationally recognised documents. To be an acceptable partner, we need to be present on the global market, while offering a complete set of services in one place here, in Slovenia. That is why we need to expand on our own as well. With new premises, instruments, colleagues and by expanding our business. Only in this way can we cater for our partners, follow their development and remain their important and sometimes indispensable partner.

Slovenia is small, but we are pleased to note that we have many globally renowned and innovative manufacturers. The development of our partners is also our obligation. Together, we are strengthening and developing in line with all the major and unpredictable changes in the market. That is why we are not afraid of the future. Together we prove that we can do everything.

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In the years from 2015 to 2019, we successfully carried out the investment in new premises, which enabled almost all SIQ activities to be combined at one location. But since changes and development are our constant, in our existing premises, we are not able to ensure adequate areas for the implementation of increasingly complex tests, the expansion of activities and, at the same time, the increasing number of employees. The conceptual design of new business premises emerged and matured this year. The new building will consist of an underground garage, ground floor and three floors with a total surface area of approximately 12,000m2. The underground garage will be used for parking spaces, warehouses and necessary mechanical installations. The ground floor will be mainly dedicated to setting up a larger EMC chamber that will allow the testing of large products (e.g. whole vehicles) on the effects of EMC. The ground floor and the first floor are expected to include:

• testing the electrical safety of large products — test pieces, such as charging stations, energy storage devices and power electronics (E-mobility);
• testing the electrical safety of medical devices and household appliances;
• laboratory activity related to explosion protection, which will be moved from Tržaška cesta in Ljubljana;
• activity of a notified body for medical devices;
• appropriate office space.

The premises on the second and third floor will be used for the expansion of activities in the following stages and years after construction. The existing business premises and the new building will be logically an integrated whole with a transport route, which will serve for the transport of samples and as a passage between buildings. The new office building will be sustainable, including a solar power plant on the roof to cover 20–25 % of the electricity consumption. Completion of the new facility is foreseen in the next three years.

In December 2022 and January 2023, we will also carry out the renovation of existing business premises in order to strengthen the existing test capacities and activities. The renovation will cover, among other things, the setting-up of the EMC semi-anechoic chamber for the purpose of testing components from automotive industry, the rearrangement of the lobby and reception, additional booths, the canopy over the entrance/exit of the transport route and more.

The EMC chamber for testing components from the automotive industry will be a major financial investment and will allow measurements/tests to be carried out in the frequency range from 9kHz to 6GHz and an electromagnetic field power of 200V/m. The existing chamber cannot provide an adequate response in terms of time of implementing the commissioned tests, despite three-shift work, which is why the expansion is necessary. The chamber will meet the requirements of the CISPR 25, MIL-461F (military equipment) and RTCA DO-160G (components for aeronautical industry) standards.

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