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Measures Are Obligation
Who needs explosion protection? To whom does explosion protection apply? What must be noted here? And what is constructive explosion protection? WAGO has compiled answers to the most important questions for you.
Explosion protection regulation in Europe is based on the ATEX guidelines, made public in 1994 as Directive 94/9/EC and applicable since 2014 as a new version under the name 2014/34/EU. This directive covers devices and protective systems intended for use in hazardous locations.
WAGO in Explosion Protection
Principles of Explosion Protection
Everything worth knowing about Ex protection at a single glance.
Directive 2014/34/EU – Regulation of Manufacturer Obligations
According to 2014/34/EU Annex 1, the manufacturer must divide any equipment that can present ignition hazards (ignition sources) and lead to explosion into device groups and categories. For this equipment, an Ex type test and certification from one of the testing offices named must be conducted. If the device fulfills the requirements for the type test, the basis for the CE mark follows with the EC declaration of conformity. The equipment must come with operating instructions in which its proper use is defined.
Primary Explosion Protection
The primary concern is to prevent explosive atmosphere from forming, preferably by selecting non-flammable alternatives or materials that have a high flash point. If this is not feasible for whatever reason, the focus turns to other measures. For one, inertization. Here it is possible to take advantage of the property that an atmosphere only becomes explosive at an exact mixing ratio of a flammable material with oxygen.
Secondary Explosion Protection
This measure aims at preventing an ignition of dangerous explosive atmosphere if the arising of these cannot be avoided. For this, areas must be divided into danger zones in the application location according to the frequency and duration of the occurrence of explosive atmospheres. These define whether or not sources of ignition are permitted in particular danger zones. Click here for an overview of the ignition sources.
Tertiary Explosion Protection
It is not always possible to safely prevent the occurrence of a dangerous atmosphere and to exclude an ignition of suitable resources. In this case, additional explosion protection measures must be taken in order to reduce the effects of an explosion to a harmless level. The measures for constructive explosion protection include, in addition to pressure-proof and impact-proof housings, pressure reduction and pressure equalization equipment. Explosion suppression through extinguishing devices also counts toward this.
Requirements for Manufacturers and Operators
| Manufacturer Obligations ATEX – RL 2014/34/EU | Operator Obligations ATEX 137 – RL 1999/92/EC |
| Specifications for proper use: purpose, temperature class, ambient conditions, explosion group and category | Execution of a hazard assessment for tools and systems requiring monitoring (per ArbSchG, BImSchG, GefStoffV, BetrSichV, StörfallV & technical rules and regulations) |
| Equipment must comply with the essential safety and health requirements. | Installation setup, commissioning and maintenance instructions according to BetrSichV §§4.7/§12 |
| Execution of risk and ignition source analysis | Specification of zones and selection of the appropriate equipment (see, for example, BetrSichV Annex 3, DIN EN 60079-10 or example collection BGR 104) |
Use the conformity assessment procedure;
if necessary, have testing performed by specified test office. | Adherence to the installation, start-up, and maintenance instructions |
| CE mark of the product declaration of conformity | Completion of explosion protection document |
| Regular updating | Regular updating |
Read More Here
What happens during an explosion, which factors are important, and what protective measures are available? Everything you need to know about ATEX, Ex zones, ignition protection categories, etc.
Zone Divisions
Depending on the type of materials that occur, hazardous locations are not equally at risk. The frequency and duration of occurrence of one of these substances give rise to the different protective requirements for operating equipment.
Directives, Standards and Regulations
The requirements for electrical equipment for hazardous locations are multi-layered: National and international determinations, guidelines and standards must be complied with to achieve the highest possible level of safety. We give you an overview of the most important regulations and recommendations, such as the ATEX directive.
Device Groups
Like the devices, gases, vapors, and dust are divided into various groups according to their properties. This division simplifies the right selection of devices for the various gases, vapors, and dusts.
WAGO Products for Explosion Protection
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