Alarm button (Van Halen and brown M&M’s)
Where is your brown M&M in relation to compliance of hazardous area industries?
#exprofessional
Where is your brown M&M in relation to compliance of hazardous area industries?
#exprofessional
Imagine this scenario: It’s a typical workday at your facility. Machines are
Hazardous area industries are classified based on the presence of potentially explosive
skid-or-machine? assembly-or-machine? technology-or-machine?
Interesting questions, specially if you are about to run a multi-billion USD value technology, and it turns out to be a machine rather than a technology / installation / assembly.
#exprofessional #exownersengineering #exownersengineer #excompliance #excomplianceengineering #excomplianctodesignstage
Recently published – April 2024 – link: https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/59156 Always very useful to
In some countries, regions and the facility itself there are directives, laws,
selection of Ex cable glands varies in many ways
#exprofessional
Normal operation refers to the standard, expected, and safe functioning of machinery,
The preliminary examination for occupational safety – except in the case of hazardous technology – may be conducted by a person with specialized training and professional qualifications in occupational safety, a person authorized by law, or an accredited institution. The examination of hazardous technology must be conducted by a person with a professional license in occupational safety and Explosion protection.
#exprofessional
EPD stands for explosion protection documentation. It shall be ready at the
The Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR) is a critical component in the management of process safety. And shall be trated the same for explosion protection as well.
#exprofessional
product-or-assembly
an important topic for all operational teams of possible hazardous industries.
#exprofessional
ADR clearly defines:
It means a lorry shall be prepared for the delivery of dangerous goods, and in that case no Ex zone shall (can) be defined.
For all other operations such as loading, unloading, maintainence, repair…
YES…
Ex zone shall be defined!
Understanding the Risk – Some workplaces, like oil refineries or chemical plants,
The understanding and continuous support of management is essential, and shall be present and available from the 1st day of Ex issues related to site compliance.
So it shall start with design, and follow up.
Ex compliance shall be verified to the design stage. the design stage of product, site, and operation.
#exprofessional
Ethylene’s Impact: – Ethylene (C2H4) is a naturally occurring gas that plays
We all speak English. It is the international language for many. Standards
Responsibility for training and competence The engineering profession is responsible for determining
ChatGPT and AI models like it could have several potential effects on
An industrial facility and a city itself there is not much difference.
Explosion Protection: This refers to measures taken to prevent explosions in hazardous
country specific language it shall be
#exprofessional
Indeed H2 = Ex. As I see this fact surprises many in many ways. Current understanding of H2 by many simply says it is flammable. Not only, amoung others it is Ex as well.
#exprofessional
Ensuring compliance with safety standards and regulations is paramount in hazardous area
The Explosion Protection Documentation (EPD – ATEX 153) can be considered as
The verification dossier according to IEC 60079-14 and the Explosion Protection Documentation
Inspecting a non-electrical device with Ex h (explosion-proof) protection method in a
By cultivating discipline and competency, individuals and organizations can create a culture of safety, minimize accidents and injuries, and ensure a secure working environment in hazardous settings.
#exprofessional
“Hot work” in an Ex (Explosive Atmosphere) hazardous environment involves operations that
check out Guidance on “EASA Fuel Tank Safety letter” it says (cut
how does it work? a decade ago we had sheeps around to
can a lorry be considered as a possible ignition source in a
Today’s challenge: H2 mixing into normal / daily gas piping network… 2-5-1o%?
EPD is about “It is a document that demonstrates the implementation of safety measures and procedures to protect workers in potentially explosive atmospheres during the operation of a facility. The EPD is based on the design of the facility and its equipment, but its primary focus is on ensuring the safe operation and maintenance of the facility.”
#exprofessional
Digital ID is a new initiative. Marking shall be available with asset. So let us utilize it for Ex compliance. The possible Eco System available on site is a way forward.
#exprofessional
what is more important in terms of hazardous area compliance than a good Ex design?!
what makes a good Ex design? why is it important? how to keep it up? who can do it?
#exprofessional
Who is he / she? First a designer shall be a designer
All service providers shall be with Ex personnel competency we used to
All has its sources of origin and informations. Product Ex certification: ISO
Lorries, tankers, trains… Min 30 mins, and even if so reduced speed
Sewers explode in Guadalajara, Mexico, killing hundreds Dozens of sewer explosions in
Primary – Secondary – Tertiary explosion protection So far we can say
Ex OE stands for Ex owner’s engineering. it is not a public
EN 1127-1 shall be the lead (relevant globally). it defines 13 possible
H2 is a trendy topic today. Many countries and companies around do focus on it.
Ex compliance shall be covered, specially when it comes to delegation of responsibility.
ECOsystem – Ex Controlled Organization
#exprofessional
a cut out from iec 60079 10 1 : 2020 “Once a
Whenever you get delivered with a solution using Ex v, it can only be considered as an installation, assembly, project (other definitions I leave to you), and there shall be a design, installation, commissioning, Ex inspection, etc. all similar to normal project conditions.
#exprofessional
I am interested, because: I am a hazardous area site owner, operator,
Where it belongs to? Fire protection… Worksafety… Electrical, mechanical discipline…? Interesting topic
Ex compliance is about prevention and not any real protection against recent
Short summary at the beginning of my blogpost: no more fluroscent light
it says: “This standard provides the specific requirements for the design, selection,
A combustible gas in a distribution line must contain a natural odorant
You must prove you have it. It means you purchased it. There
Definetely Ex with some pre-cautions. Risk assessment and hazardous area classification shall be first in place.
#exprofessional
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment
H2 units shall be considered as per assembly. All electrical and non.electrical Ex topics shall be taken into account.
#exprofessional
assembly of Ex Equipment(s) results in an assembly that creates a need for additional assessment that is not already completely covered by the
individual equipment certificates.
This article was written back in 2017. When I tell people I
Explosive atmospheres – Part 31: Equipment dust ignition protection by enclosure “t”
20 litre fuel cans: old design on the left, 1941 Nirona Wehrmacht
Situation is the following. You are requested to assemble and install: 1)
💥 ATEX REGULATION ALERT💥🇩🇿 The inspection of ATEX equipment has become mandatory⚖️
…on the other side a good example of iec 60079-26: Examples of
Source: LINK Each and every country has it regulated, but might be
So what about light blue – the recommended colour of Ex i?
After the signature of the construction contract, the contractor bears the legal
Sure not. IIC, IIC (H2), IIB + H2 all have existed for
According ATEX 137 employer of hazardous area industries shall define the Ex
Sparks or certain radiations can cause a mixture of hydrogen and chlorine
Silly question! All shall be (if not otherwise). Most important what entity
In order to select the appropriate electrical (and non.electrical) Ex equipment for
The act of introducing equipment where specifications are not identical to an
This standard provides the specific requirements for the design, selection, erection and
The combined marking for equipment which include an electrical part and a
Is your smartphone or a tablet containing a LED to support a
QUESTION: Are there any requirements for an IECEx Certification Body, ExCB, to be
Equipment assemblers and manufacturers have made requests to certify equipment with a
Some types of Ex Equipment, such as large electric motors, are provided
Under ATEX Directive this is the modul D. On the other hand
What you do when you experience failures / non compliance /… related
You are on site, and you do Ex detailed inspection. There are:
Breathing and draining devices shall incorporate permeable elements which can withstand the
Interesting comments have been published back in 2011 – see link It
Link to: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMd517NVG/ Idea behind to share Ex related videos and make
Most of EPCs, owners, designers, etc are not aware of it. More
Mitigations which reduce the potential for the formation of a flammable mixture:
Reference should be made to the various implementations of EN 61508-3 Functional
1. You have an Ex h certified pump. Level of Ex safety
Relations there are many. Ex is a risk reduction factor for HAZOP.
“ia” way of Ex protection enables the installation to be installed as
ISO 80079-36 and -37 stand for non electrical explosion protection and list
It is mandatory. It shall be with the product. It shall be
Terminal boxes and switches in intrinsically safe circuits can be assumed to
Most of Ex d type of glands are minimum dual certified. Certainly
A basic electronic wrist watch is an example of a low voltage,
Ex compliance is about electrical, instrumentation and non.electrical installations. Lifetime tracking of
All are related even if under different hub.
#exprofessional
Possible protection method here the application of earthing clamps, certainly clamps themselves shall be questionned as per possible igniton sources.
#exprofessional
Each and every industry has its Ex hazardous relevance – storage, handling
Ex hazardous zone 0 includes enclosed spaces of a biogas plant where
The flammability range of hydrogen-air mixture is stated to be from 4 % (LEL)
“Openings in walls for cables and conduits between different hazardous areas and
…normal operation with worst conditions. iec 60079-10-1 says: “Catastrophic failures As far
Have you ever realized the fact that Ex safety is a point
A protection or communication device like thermal relay or zener barriere installed
HAC stands for hazardous area classification and can be made on 2
The car goes from the fact that the petrol has a series
EPD or any Ex compliance report has a significant impact for Hazop / FMEA meetings. In process safety related meetings, the Ex equipment compliance should always be questioned.
#exprofessional
A possible ignition source: your shoes in potential hazardous environment
#exprofessional
Atmospheric air usually always contains a certain amount of dust. Virtually dust-free
ATEX – expected failure – HAZOP – deviation leading to an event…
#exprofessional
Hydrogen is easy to transport easy in long-distance and can be transported
Is there any difference if it comes from an Ex repair facility
So we shall consider it. An interesting case is the reflection of
According to IECEX we do assess and certify Ex assemblies based on
Whenever you buy an installation, E.g a television, you install it, and
What is your word for hazardous area compliance – explosion protection with
Do you know it all? Pmax This is a measure of the
Do you know it all? Kst This is the maximum rate of
Do you know it all? Concentration The concentration of the fuel (dust)
A very interesting reading about hydrogen and more. Even in terms of
Cable routing should be arranged in such a way that the cables
EPD stands for explosion protection documentation and has been defined under ATEX
Explosion protection is an interesting sbj for all regions E.g like hydrogen
The Beirut— capital of Lebanon — explosion, which killed more than two hundred people,
Ex personnel competency training (EPCT) is a type of further education. You
in many works we do see proposals, like earthing protection shall be
Grades of release (or types of source) Three grades of release 3
Shall is to be understood as mandatory. Deviating from a “shall” statement
recently the subject explosion protection has become popular. all talking about, expressing
Identify potential ignition sources which are effective or can become effective in
Repair of gas fueling equipment for gas vehicles a) General conditions: (aa)
There are outcomes of site inspections. How you classify them? All are
It has been demonstrated experimentally and numerically that accidental releases of pressurised
Quality at work — the desire, not just to defend minimum standards,
It is useful for the Ex marking to be visible after installation
Many say that inspection shall happen every 36 months for fix installations,
Those responsible for operating plants and processes where potentially explosive atmospheres exist
Can we trust in a system which is not complete? HAC is
General obligations To ensure the safety and health of workers, and in
Interestingly more and more have started to communicate the importance of Ex.
and it is a good option for the industry we are involved
Keep up good work! Arpadveress@exprofessional.comexprofessional.com
R290 cooling solutions, they use propane. Propane is a hazardous substance. IIA
Fire protection Evacuation Heat and smoke protection Ensuring the conditions for the
I have tried a little to get a look at what happened
It shall start with understanding of scope related to hazardous area compliance…
It can be used where equipment in a room shall be protected.
PPE for use in potentially explosive atmospheres PPE intended for use in
Paper is combustible and easily ignitable when finely divided; all that is
One manufacturer and one client’s comm I have been involved in… Written
Ambient temperature range Ex manufacturers apply -20°C to + 40°C as a
Considering any industry site there are 3 basic frameworks: – work-, –
The marking of combined products (assemblies) is identical to the marking of
Questions here: – shall it be Ex certified? – what about older
all which meet the requirements of the partners. like IEC (and similar)
An engineer With relevant experience of explosion protection Electrical Mechanical Proven records
An electrical / non.electrical equipment, within the operational parameters specified by the
competenceability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results Ex competent
Many say that any Ex personnel competency training shall be contact one,
A paper manufacturing facility has many hazards that must be considered in
Natural gas has no odor of its own. That’s why gas companies
HAC stands for hazardous area classification. EN IEC 60079-10-1 goes for gas
A robbanásbiztos berendezés robbanásbiztonság-technikai megfelelése annak teljes egészére vonatkozik, beleértve a tömszelencét
Question How should equipment be marked with new Type of Protection designations
Education is important, so it is Ex personnel competency. Our weekly ExWebinars
Hydrogen The flammable range of hydrogen in air is between 4 %
In my earlier post I have listed questions: https://exprofessional.com/2020/03/01/ex-actual-questions/?preview=true&frame-nonce=313d76b9ca. One of them
Any Ex non-electrical machine that needs to be compliant with the ATEX
All we have to listen to all around. Questions sure we have
China – CNEx certification is required in order to gain access for
How do you do Ex compliance check on Ex non.electrical installation? Do
§228 ExplosionThe requirement set out in the first paragraph of section 1.5.7
Main topic here what is required by countries’ legislation and/or client’s inhouse
26.5.1.1 General Add the following new text after Note 1 of 26.5.1.1:
IEC TS 60079-42:2019 Explosive atmospheres – Part 42: Electrical safety devices for
Since 30 06 2003 If you ever do any site check, and
Glossary • Approved Bodies – A conformity assessment body which has been
Check how many you have in your kitchen – LEL is 250
What we really look for in terms of Ex inspection? Compliance to
Source: academia Alone ignition source, fuel, and oxygen at the same time
For “ia” and “ib” all current-limiting devices external to the cell or
Many thanks to all following the posts at exprofessional.com. We do hope
Just received a question again: what is the difference here? ATEX version
Those responsible for operating plants and processes where potentially explosive atmospheres exist
Background Installing the correct equipment in locations where there is potential for
Upon completion of services stage 1, the Subcontractor shall submit the report
Be careful, not always true what you are introduced to… It happened
…on the basis of a given methodology with at least the following
To document the classification of potentially explosive atmospheres into an explosive zone
Considering the somewhat obscure nature of many of the requirements of 60079
Keep up good work! Arpad exprofessional.com veress@exprofessional.com
As a result of friction, impact or abrasion processes such as grinding,
More and more companies in the US seem to adopt IECEx procedures
No, when used in an intrinsic safe system together with e.g. a
The Committee 235 “Erection of electrical equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres” of
Due to the nature of the risk assessment procedure, there are always
One does Ex inspection on site. There might be of various scenarios.
Many say a hazardous area industry site inspection (even if detailed –
What happened? What was source of ignition? Lack of competence? Whose competence
And fog will occur with every flange injury because, due to the
All covering Ex issues on site or related to shall be Ex
Temperature Codes (T-Codes) The ignition temperature or auto-ignition temperature (AIT) is the
All around the globe the different training organizations focus on individuals. By
With regards a to a previous post many asked what is Ex
In 1907, Francis Bushong cut a hole in the bark of an
It’s bad enough to be burned in business figuratively, by poorly designed
Lesson learned First responders were dispatched to the waterfront area to investigate
Whenever you are involved in a Ex compliance project of possible hazardous
There is a study about global warming and all possible emmission sources.
Throughout any Ex inspection campaign non-compliant issues are going to be found.
Throughout any inspection campaign non-compliant issues are going to be found. Here
Just found one company providing a list of references, where they were
We all take the one responsibility of Ex hazardous area compliance if
There is a company providing Ex services. They do follow the standard:
Many people don’t know that the Annexes to these Standards (IEC 60079-14,
If you visit the homepage of ATEX, you may find one very
13. Additionally, the present document is based on the life-cycle approach, which
Let me give you an example. ATEX 137 – Directive 99/92/EC –
My Ex personnel competence as an Ex manufacturer shall be measured by
One environment can be hazardous but not explosion-proof. One installation can be
Electrical resistance trace heating systems construction principle “Controlled design” according to EN
Only one adapter shall be used with one entry. A blanking element
A flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC), bulk bag, or big bag, is
a new trend has been introduced here: how we do Ex…! it
all who apply for any electrical/non-electrical project in any potential hazardous industry
Items of personal equipment which are battery or solar operated are sometimes
at one power station based on biomass the enduser reported that even
Explosion protection / hazardous area compliance is a must have action prior
what is the meaning here and why important in terms of Ex
Fires and explosions at worksites with hazardous chemicals have the potential to
Be careful with the design of any electrical and non-electrical Ex installation,
ISO 17024 says the following: 5.2.1 Completion of training may be a
“With the approval of acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.” According to
There shall be proof of evidence for any Ex personnel competency (EPC).
Any Ex personnel competency shall be refreshed within maximum 5 years. If
it is good to see what others doing – link keep up
no comment! keep up good work! Arpad exprofessional.com
I have just been told about one very kind misinterpretation of a
21/2010 NFGM decree defines it. 3 levels** of Ex personnel competency exist:
2017 I started the blog to highlight all possible issues refering industrial
Are there any differences regarding Ex personnel competency on worldwide level? Hydrogen
competent body (IEC 60079-0) individual or organization which can demonstrate appropriate technical
on a conference I had the opportunity to highlight various topics from
The Owner’s Engineer (OE): Support for Your Project Every kind of project
electrical and non-electrical explosion protection coming together. if you look at all
As I finished my university studies I was told now I at
Shall the sourcing department of any Ex industry be Ex competent or
Each training (but projects too) shall begin with definitions. Common understanding is
3. The entity or the person using the product shall be responsible
Competence = Application of knowledge and skills to the standards of performance
In case you are an Ex product manufacturer ISO 9001:2015 applies with
Many people don’t know that the Annexes to the Standards (IEC 60079-14/-17
Many on the road who have many years of experience about industrial
Competence of personnel (dust hazardous area classification) The area classification should be
Employers should have a competence assurance strategy and procedures including continuing appraisal
It often goes forgotten that any Ex personnel competency training is a
Many of the cases an Ex technician and an Ex supervisor is
Ex Owner’s Engineer (ExOE) Owner’s Engineer, also known as the Client’s Engineer,
Since the early 1990s industries have expressed the need for an internationally
Ex basics shall be there for all being related to hazardous area
Operatives/technicians shall be able to demonstrate their competency and provide evidence of
Ex inspection is not an independent personnel competency. It is part of
Responsible persons shall be able to demonstrate their competency and provide evidence
Appropriate continuing education and training shall be undertaken by Ex personnel on
The design of the installation, the selection of equipment and the erection
Proven Ex personnel competency does not come only with participation at any
We have created something new – ExAM. No, it is not new
As a teacher I always had in my mind to introduce all
Following report has been generated here: “FIREMEN and paramedics have rushed to
For Ex we do have IEC 60079-19.
Not any fancy paper counts, but the knowledge! But paper proves identity,
Minimum competencies: General: Detailed knowledge of explosion protection (gas / dust) Operative
Recently Explosion protection – Hazardous Area Compliance – Ex personnel competencies all
See what IEC 60079-14 – Annex A (normative): Knowledge, skills and competencies
merry christmas to all my fellow folks enjoying the being in the