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⚖️
IEC 60079-14 in chapter of Verification Dossier speaks about the ‘ID’ topic
…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
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
Most of EPCs, owners, designers, etc are not aware of it. More
Mitigations which reduce the potential for the formation of a flammable mixture:
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
Background With changes to the Type of Protection designations in the IEC
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
Management of change is the key issue. How we follow up trends,
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
Explosion protection is about competence in engineering and not about the limitation(s).
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
Many tried to explode different WC.s. Never succeeded. Maybe lack of ignition
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
You know what makes the difference between the working place and home:
in many works we do see proposals, like earthing protection shall be
IEC 60079-14 does not cover with regards to any installation. so how to move on?
#exprofessional #exmist
Grades of release (or types of source) Three grades of release 3
In a possible hazardous atmosphere only devices, equipments, power and working machines
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)
Do you follow all points listed by manufacturers? All in line with
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 a possible way forward. Manufacturer may apply for it whenever
It is useful for the Ex marking to be visible after installation
Instandhaltung Es ist auf eine regelmässige Instandhaltung ■ Inspektion (Messen, Prüfen, Erfassen),
EOL stands for End of Life. EOL is valid for flourescent light
Many say that inspection shall happen every 36 months for fix installations,
The main difference between ATEX and IECEx is that ATEX certification only
Those responsible for operating plants and processes where potentially explosive atmospheres exist
iec 60079-14 4.2 says VD shall be created. DocumentationIt is necessary to
Can we trust in a system which is not complete? HAC is
Fixed gas detection systems have been used for many years to perform
General obligations To ensure the safety and health of workers, and in
Have you ever received the question: why we need to take care
Interestingly more and more have started to communicate the importance of Ex.
Fact: it does have accus. Not ok to use them in any
and it is a good option for the industry we are involved
Normal operation Means situations when an installation is used within its design
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
All we know hazardous area classification is a must have. Question to
It shall start with understanding of scope related to hazardous area compliance…
Primary Ex is about prevention.Secondary Ex is about protection.Tertiary Ex is about
It can be used where equipment in a room shall be protected.
PPE for use in potentially explosive atmospheres PPE intended for use in
Typical locations for hazardous substances Gases, liquids, and vapors • Petroleum refineries,
Paper is combustible and easily ignitable when finely divided; all that is
In the heat of recent days, it has become a hit again
One manufacturer and one client’s comm I have been involved in… Written
Due to the current pandemic, FFP2 masks must be worn for certain
Ambient temperature range Ex manufacturers apply -20°C to + 40°C as a
The manufacturing documentation in total shared with 3rd party certification bodies shall
Flying sparks and incorrect welding practices can cause premature failure of explosion
In case it turns out there is Ex hazardous area, it exists,
Considering any industry site there are 3 basic frameworks: – work-, –
Absolutely inerted mixture is one which does not form a flammable atmosphere
The marking of combined products (assemblies) is identical to the marking of
IEC 60079-1:2014 Edition 7.0, Explosive atmospheres – Part 1: Equipment protection by
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
We at exprofessional.com have gone online. Every week twice we do online
concept to allow design, assessment and testing of electrical equipment that cannot
Many say that any Ex personnel competency training shall be contact one,
A paper manufacturing facility has many hazards that must be considered in
H2. Hydrogen is fuel of future. Do we know how to handle?
In external Zone 2, insulating containers with a nominal capacity exceeding 5
iec 60079 14 says: “Terminal boxes Where the ingress of moisture or
There is a hand operated valve. It does not fall under Ex
In possible hazardous environment: – with an Ex barrier all non Ex
Rb javítóműhely létezése és annak megfelelése, megfeleltetése és visszaellenőrzése bevett gyakorlat volt
Join us for a webinar on Apr 21, 2020 at 8:00 AM
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
What are key points about Ingress Protection and Electrical & Instrumentation Equipment?
A robbanásbiztos berendezés robbanásbiztonság-technikai megfelelése annak teljes egészére vonatkozik, beleértve a tömszelencét
Wiki says following: “used to protect all sorts of buildings and civil
Question How should equipment be marked with new Type of Protection designations
Education is important, so it is Ex personnel competency. Our weekly ExWebinars
Who still believes IP67 is better than IP66? What is IP69 and
As you’re no doubt aware, bottles of hand sanitizer (Purell, Wet Ones,
Rb TvMI előírja. Rengeteg kérdést vet fel: ki csinálhatja, tervezés vagy szaktevékenység,
Hydrogen The flammable range of hydrogen in air is between 4 %
How does Ex Safe Operation and Functional Safety interact? Are we aware
ExFórum online – Milyen gyakran frissíti adott terület zónabesorolási dokumentációját? c. webinar
So it is! Source: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/geri-varga-9098b140_atex-inspection-iecex-activity-6641450532433203200-jCbz Keep up good work! Arpad veress@exprofessional.com exprofessional.com
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
Our webinar sessions we started on 17.03.2020 and we promised to continue
Tisztelt Kollegák, ExFórum idén tavasszal ellehetetlenült. Ősszel mindenképp tervezzük megrendezni. Reméljük addigra
Any Ex non-electrical machine that needs to be compliant with the ATEX
We at exprofessional.com believe sharing knowledge is valuable and this period of
In many cases we find the request from commercial side to be
All we have to listen to all around. Questions sure we have
China – CNEx certification is required in order to gain access for
A photo we took last year, not any from early 80’s. Ex
How do you do Ex compliance check on Ex non.electrical installation? Do
Internet of Things – it is all about data we source out
§228 ExplosionThe requirement set out in the first paragraph of section 1.5.7
Little bit out of scope. Title says its own. I just like
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
Increased use of electronic motor drives adds complications to the use of
Since 30 06 2003 If you ever do any site check, and
Glossary • Approved Bodies – A conformity assessment body which has been
More and more I realize that there is a need for mediation
Check how many you have in your kitchen – LEL is 250
Concern over the lack of separation of training with the assessment process
What we really look for in terms of Ex inspection? Compliance to
Electrical Ex installations we do take care about, we do inspection, we
For either Level of Protection “ia” or “ib”, what are the current
Many thanks to all following the posts at exprofessional.com. We do hope
It is our life. We at exprofessional.com strongly believe to protect our
– Hot surfaces – Flames and hot gases (including hot particles) –
As a rule, manufacturers of solvent-containing paints and varnishes have to prevent
Within Ex owner’s engineering we shall follow up green/brown field projects in
Many times. But to order it we intend to do once. Very
It makes sense to have all details about local regulations. Pls be
A minute spark in an oil & gas field, refinery, or chemical
1. When do we have to use the new Directive? Although 2014/34/EU
The main environmental factors which may affect the equipment intended for use
No comment! …Electrical Explosion Proof Equipment is product adopting several types of
At the end of October 2019, European Directive 2014/34/EU and the new
Explosion protection (EP) is the responsibility of all involved. If company does
Cables are not covered by the product-related ATEX Directive (neither as equipment
We live in the world of IOTs. Apps we use many. What
An explosion occurs when a large amount of energy is released into
Temperature control and heat reduction are extremely critical, but unfortunately, they are
Keep up good work! Arpad exprofessional.com veress@exprofessional.com
If gas, triangle. If dust, pentagon. If both? Both! Keep up good
Yes. Source: gestis Keep up good work! Arpad exprofessional.com veress@exprofessional.com
There is a potential risk of explosion in industrial facilities wherever combustible
What is ExUnBox.com? The answer is in the compliance of Ex installations
Care must be taken to limit the harmful effects of any explosion
Product series WCP and MCP conventional manual call points.Certified for use on
As NASA relies more on lithium-ion batteries, the space agency has a
Oil and natural gas literally keeps mankind moving; for quite some time,
Summary A hydrogen generation plant experienced a fire and significant damage due
Industrial fires and explosions cost companies and governments billions of dollars every
A person committing an offence under the Regulations will be liable to
Have you ever considered Ex as one of most relevant topics of
Fact: it does have accus. Not ok to use them in any
Question: How shall marking be shown for equipment covered by both the
Throughout any Ex inspection campaign non-compliant issues are going to be found.
… of Ex non electrical installations? It says: you may do if
Throughout any inspection campaign non-compliant issues are going to be found. Here
In many cases Ex certificates are not available with the product (pre)information.
Breathers provide continuous pressure equalisation between the inside of the enclosure and
Who is the authority? Is there any control on site with regards
Just found one company providing a list of references, where they were
Where no certificate of conformity (or the origin of a certificate cannot
— “shall” indicates a requirement; — “should” indicates a recommendation; — “may”
We all take the one responsibility of Ex hazardous area compliance if
“1 Ordering anything from … for any other location of the world
There is an Ex light fitting certified with bulb A. It burns
There is a company providing Ex services. They do follow the standard:
One question: have you ever been part of the follow up of
– when there is a lot of paper, there is a soft
Many people don’t know that the Annexes to these Standards (IEC 60079-14,
“Normal operation” means the situation when installations are used within their design
These products are an enclosed area, where an operator may work inside
If you visit the homepage of ATEX, you may find one very
From ladders to tools we can say they have no own source
Fire extinguisher does not need to be Ex certified because it is
Tuesday 14.05.2019 we organized for the 15th times our annual conference about
is it required? is there any checklist for it? what is the
The selection of equipment in a classified area (Zones 0 , 1,
13. Additionally, the present document is based on the life-cycle approach, which
Top priority of the explosion protection is the primary explosion protection. The
How can you call or answer a call in a hazardous area?
In many cases we do receive similar communication even from outside of
Let me give you an example. ATEX 137 – Directive 99/92/EC –
My Ex personnel competence as an Ex manufacturer shall be measured by
Protection concepts of types of protection “d”, “p” and “t” acceptable for
One environment can be hazardous but not explosion-proof. One installation can be
…are varied. Often an area classification plan-view is provided to identify equipment
Certain types of cable employ materials that can exhibit “cold flow” characteristics
“in some cases a zone of negligible extent (NE) may arise and
At one project we have been asked to support from early stage.
Preliminary observations Technological knowledge, which can change rapidly, must be taken into
Electrical resistance trace heating systems construction principle “Controlled design” according to EN
According to EN 60079-7 the temperature rise for machines with cage rotors
The EC-Type Examination Certificate of a Category 2 Ex ‘d’ motor requires
Only one adapter shall be used with one entry. A blanking element
Generally submersible pumps in Zone 1 are protected by standardised or special
This is the second edition of ISO/IEC 80079-34:2018 – Explosive atmospheres —
The meaning, often ignored, of “U” and “X” characters inside the certificate,
Title: sample Ex Compliance Engineering Transfer of information from client:– Existing HAC
All fluorescent lamps enter an end-of-life condition when the electrode emitter material
A flexible intermediate bulk container (FIBC), bulk bag, or big bag, is
You might get surprised that on the site you work for HOW
The symbol “X” is used to provide a means of identifying essential
a new trend has been introduced here: how we do Ex…! it
30 June 2003. Before that ATEX was not mandatory (differentiation might be
Keep up good work. Arpadexprofessional.com
all who apply for any electrical/non-electrical project in any potential hazardous industry
Cables used for fixed installations in hazardous areas shall be appropriate for
Items of personal equipment which are battery or solar operated are sometimes
at one power station based on biomass the enduser reported that even
In Hungary the ATEX Directive applies for any Ex installations (electrical, non-electrical)
question: what is the best approach how to consider it – Ex
what is the meaning here and why important in terms of Ex
Fires and explosions at worksites with hazardous chemicals have the potential to
There are 4 main categories of ignition sources. These include: Thermal, Electrical,
Preventive measures to reduce the explosion risk from flammable materials are based
Be careful with the design of any electrical and non-electrical Ex installation,
Simple earthing clamps with and without cord does not need to be
Quite often it happens one Ex installation arrives to industry E.g pharma,
ISO 17024 says the following: 5.2.1 Completion of training may be a
Article 13 Final provisions 1. Member States shall bring into force the
There are… Link: http://entecerma.it/assets/uploads/forged_certificate/file/5c33736fe5a33.pdf More with others… keep eye on it. After
Accreditation is a must have for an EU Notified Body? Let us
Keep up good work. Arpad exprofessional.com
Organizational arrangements for rectifying defects, shutting down plant or machinery under emergency
A hazardous area installation shall be Ex certified. Certification may come from
Many say Ex industry you may find anywhere! We found Ex areas
in most of the cases you may find the following note from
See below picture – all shall be considered – more to come
It’s bad enough to be burned in business figuratively, by poorly designed
types of protection according to EPL Ga do not require a second
2017 I started the blog to highlight all possible issues refering industrial
One of the oldest Ex protection method is Ex d. Ex d
is a site Ex safe, if all kind installations with various types
Still many ask if the Ex devices shall be Ex certified or
Simple answer: all we are. More sophisticated answer: the owner of the
Initial inspection Equipment shall be installed in accordance with its documentation. It
there are some Ex personnel competency training programs talking about repair. is
Brake pads to be used in Ex machinery. One dedicated manufacturer has
Why Ex personnel competency for mechanical and/or process engineers? Few days back
Certificates and documents The equipment design certificate and other related documents should
Transfer of information from client: – Existing HAC layouts, equipment data sheets,
Top management shall ensure that the responsibilities and authorities for relevant roles
starting kit: Ex certificate (or ATEX non-electrical category 2: retention of documentation)
“Switch your device off in potentially explosive environments, such as near gasoline
… all installations in possible hazardous environments shall be Ex-proof and the
In any possible hazardous environment you may find Ex certified devices, installations
The oil and gas industry is bracing for an increase in cyberattacks
*HAC stands for hazardous area classification. Question: shall we take into consideration
It is necessary to ensure that any installation complies with the relevant
is it a common language for professionals? or as per few days
Ex personnel competency certificate Hazardous area classification (zone concept) Ex certificate or
Which is the best combination in terms of final hazardous area Ex
one ExNB (Ex Notified Body) can provide pre-evaluation services already at the
What is a hazardous area? A hazardous area is an area in
… is listed here: link. No other Body can do ATEX type
Ex inspection is a must have on site in a possible hazardous
According to ISO 80079-37:2016 there is only one marking possible: Ex h
For many organizations, compliance with the different standards and legal environment is
Many systems are available on the market. At the end of the
Are they complementary or do they substitute each other? Or just another
Explosion-proof technical compliance is perhaps one of the best-known safety concept in
It comes from the law of Ex: – avoid it – do
Primary: prevention Secondary: protection Tertiary: follow up action Interesting question. If the
How shall we check the compliance of a used installation in case
1. Training material by ExNB (methodology owner) – theoretical – practical (boards
And now? The ISO/IEC 80079-36 specifies the basic methods and requirements for
And now? The ISO/IEC 80079-36 specifies the basic methods and requirements for
An Ex trainer shall be able to demonstrate knowledge about Ex competencies
Who is legal to make HAC (hazardous area classification)? 1) acc to
The issue of hand-operated valves: Given that these will move slowly, with
In case you get a repaired Ex installation back to your premises
Shall we consider gas detector as per PPE? Guideline says the following:
Non electrical Ex installations shall be Ex certified both under ATEX and
Important statements here: The cable gland shall be selected to match the
Minimum competencies: General:Detailed knowledge of explosion protection (gas / dust) Supervisor (manager):
Normally one wins the tender of a site Ex inspection (E.g visual)
An Ex gland shall always be an Ex certified product, unless it
Instructions on the use of hand tools should take the following into
What is maintenance and what is repair in case of an Ex
FIBC Type A Plain Bag – No Static Protection Safe use: •
We all purchase Ex installations, and we specify, design, install, commission, operate,
I have to make a statement here! Official! Some asked me what
Background: Today, the marking of electrical equipment is defined in IEC 60079-0,
The design of the installation, the selection of equipment and the erection
Key control measures for managing the Ex risks include: identifying and managing
recently I participated at a meeting (within EU) where an Ex (well
1) avoid 2) do not ignite 3) keep safety distance is that
A hazardous area is an area (three-dimensional space) in which a flammable
One point is fact: competent, educated people shall attend and do their
What can be identified as a possible ignition source in a possible
once we had a project: 2 rocket silos were built in a
End of the yr statistics we have made via summarizing our projects
based on our meeting regarding Hazardous Area Compliance issues we can make
Back in early 1999/2000 many flurescent tube Ex type light fitting manufacturers
