The process equipment manufacturer had previously collaborated with IEP on various projects in Europe, however this was the first opportunity to propose a protection system which was fully compliant with North American standards and regulations.
Read moreThe Standards which regulate the installation criteria of electrical products and equipment for use in hazardous areas have been constantly updating. Particularly, it has been recently amended the standard of cable entry/exit from 'Ex d' junction boxes, whether for IIB or IIB + H2 or IIC group. For this reason, we face in this study the changes introduced by updating the technical article of May 2014.
Read moreExplosions and fires at oil refineries and chemical facilities are far more likely to occur during equipment start-ups and shutdowns, notes the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) in a recent Safety Digest. Workers are typically the first line of victims when such incidents occur. In the Digest, the CSB describes three start-up/shutdown incidents it investigated in which collectively 5 workers were killed and 11 injured.
Read moreImpact of Changes in Explosion Protection System Design As we can see from Table 3, the Bag Filter is at greatest risk. This can be attributed to the proximity of Pred (3,3) to Ps(3) and the connection with the Cyclone and Storage Hopper
Read moreProcess plant owners/operators have an obligation to assess and ascribe the residual risk of an unmitigated explosion occurrence under the ATEX Directives, and in doing so are making a key decision on the acceptability of that residual risk. All safety systems have a residual risk that they fail to achieve their mission, whether it be via hardware failures, personnel errors, errors in the theoretical and design assumptions, or inadequacies in the quantification of the prevailing hazard.
Read moreIndustrial explosions present serious risk to any wood- or cellulose-processing facility, such as a biomass plant, that handles combustible dusts and vapors.
Read moreIn order to reduce the risk of explosion, elimination of one or more of the components of the ignition triangle is necessary. There are three basic methods of protection - explosion containment, segregation and prevention.
Read moreNFPA has many resources available covering safety in industrial and manufacturing properties
Read moreElectrical distribution and lighting equipment (24%), heating equipment (16%), and intentional fires (9%) were the leading causes of structure fires in industrial properties from 2011 to 2015.
Read moreDuring 2011-2015, there were an estimated 37,910 fires at industrial or manufacturing properties (including utility, defense, agriculture, and mining) reported to U.S. fire departments each year, with associated annual losses of 16 civilian deaths, 273 civilian injuries, and $1.2 billion in direct property damage. The vast majority of these fires (71%) occurred in outside or unclassified locations, with another 20% taking place in structures and 9% of the fires in vehicles. The 20% of fires taking place in structures accounted for the largest shares of losses in all categories – 49% of civilian deaths, 80% of civilian injuries, and 67% of direct property damage. Almost two-thirds (65%) of the combined industrial or manufacturing facility structure fires occurred specifically in manufacturing properties (as opposed to utility, industrial, defense, agriculture, and mining properties).
Read moreSome Definitions to start with:– From the Enchanting world of MUSIC:- An overtone accompanying a fundamental tone at a fixed interval, produced by vibration of a string, column of air, etc. in an exact fraction of its length.
Read moreMINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Statistically speaking, Kyle Flicker should not be alive. In February of last year, he arrived at Hennepin County Medical Center in the back of an ambulance. He had third-degree burns over 75 percent of his body--the worst kind of burns, searing through all three layers of skin.
Read moreSome Definitions to start with:– From the Enchanting world of MUSIC:- An overtone accompanying a fundamental tone at a fixed interval, produced by vibration of a string, column of air, etc. in an exact fraction of its length.
Read moreThe first list of references of harmonised standards in support of Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment was published in the Official Journal (OJ) of the European Union C 113 of 27 March 2018 (172 references) together with the updated list of references of harmonised standards in support of Directive 89/686/EEC on personal protective equipment (10 new references).
Read moreGROUPS Any flammable gas or dust in mixture with air, forms an IGNITABLE EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE and if present in sufficient quantities, in an area, creates an EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE and make that area HAZARDOUS.
Read moreThe ATEX directive consists of two EU directives describing what equipment and work environment is allowed in an environment with an explosive atmosphere. ATEX derives its name from the French title of the 94/9/EC directive: Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosibles.
Read moreWhat Are The Requirements for a Combustible Dust Hazard? Well this depends on which hazard you are talking about. Handling, manufacturing, or transporting combustible dust can lead to fires, flash-fires, and explosions, to name a few.
Read moreIEC 60079-33 ‘s self-introduction is as follows:-
Read moreRIGID IBC Venting In some applications, IBC may be designed to withstand the maximum explosion pressure generated by a dust explosion. These vessels would be designated as pressure resistant vessels or pressure shock resistant vessels, but the cost is high and IBC of this strength are not common. Most rigid IBC are classed as weak vessels with, typically, a metal wall thickness of 2–3 mm with a maximum strength in the order of 0.3–0.4 bar.
Read moreIGNITION SOURCES - ELECTROSTATIC IGNITION SOURCES. General charging (rigid and flexible FIBC)Electrostatic charging is a normal occurrence in most powder handling processes and thisis of prime importance during filling and emptying operations. Charge accumulationscould occur on equipment, including drums and containers, and on bulk materials that are insulating.
Read moreHave you ever been in a situation where you are looking for one Ex competent consultant, engineer or even technician in one country, where your project shall be realized or assessed? Answer might be yes or no.
Read moreIntermediate bulk containers (IBC) in the form of rigid intermediate bulk containers (RIBC) and flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) are increasingly being used for the storage and transport of powders, flakes and granular materials.
Read moreCement manufacturing is a vital industrial activity across the continent of Africa and in many other countries throughout the world. Growth in demand for cement continues to remain strong as government and private sectors focus on infrastructure and housing development.
Read moreFrom problem to published Standard, the process is well documented and governed. Inside UL explains it all in our infographic.
Read moreSummary Explosions never happen at random, they have their exact laws. And sometimes they need very little – high dust concentration, turbulence and ignition source, often spontaneous combustion. If these conditions are met, explosions always follow. It needs to be mentioned that all organic substances are explosive, for example starch, flour, dried milk, sugar, cocoa, pharmaceuticals, textiles, wood and coal dust and others.
Read moreIEC 60079-33 ‘s self-introduction is as follows:-
Read moreIf you are procuring or building skids, rigs and assemblies that are a collection of Ex certified parts with other potential ignition sources (such as non-electrical sources including materials of construction, RF, friction etc) ensure your specification/certification includes IEC TS 60079-46…it is the specification for Assemblies and should not be overlooked.
Read moreThe following short update is written to provide clarification on the requirement to seal cable ducts in hazardous area locations according to the ATEX Directive – ATEX is a EU applicable directive to protect and ensure worker and workplace safety for equipment to be installed in potentially explosive atmospheres.
Read moreAs from 1st July 2003, all products marketed in the European Union and intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres must be approved in compliance with European Directive 2014/34/UE, also known as ATEX. This new directive also applies to non-electrical components, such as pneumatic controls, for which approval is mandatory.
Read moreQ: Some of our workers want to wear metal eye glass frames with side shields for doing electrical work. Is this allowed by OSHA or NFPA 70E? A: (We wanted to play the Guess Who’s “These Eyes” for while you were reading our response, but our copyright department nixed it!)
Read moreInternationally accepted standards ISO 80079-36:2016 and ISO 80079-37:2016 have now been published and will replace the EN 13463 series of standards, after years of preparation by the International Standards Committee SC31M.
Read moreMachines and safety systems are becoming more and more complex, with software and various electronic control systems. And with high profile accidents leading to expensive litigation, many end-user companies are being required by their regulators to specify functional safety in their systems to provide an adequate level of safety assurance against process/machine hazards.
Read moreDear Hazardous AREA Industry Owner! Click on "READ MORE" for the whole article.
Read moreOSHA is in the early stages of the rulemaking process, so where can employers find guidance right now?
Read moreFloating Roof Tank Fires are Common - There are some 15 to 20 known Floating Roof Tank (FRT) fires per year. Floating Roof Tanks are especially vulnerable to the direct and indirect effects of lightning. A direct or a nearby lightning strike can cause electrical current to flow across the tank shell and roof. When these lightning currents arc across the roof/shell interface, they can ignite any flammable vapours present with devastating effect.
Read moreDuring the evening of February 7th, 2008, a series of explosions at the Imperial Sugar manufacturing facility in Port Wentworth, Georgia, just outside of Savannah, resulted in the deaths of fourteen workers and numerous injuries.
Read moreHandpoured tea leaves go through several processing steps before we can enjoy a delicious cup of freshly made tea. One of the steps is drying the tea leaves. This is done using hot air flow. However, the tea leaves generate fine dust particles which, when airborne, may cause dust explosion hazards. To prevent this from happening, Ex-Machinery developed a special ATEX heater that dries the leaves safely with an ingenious airflow – without the risk of burning the tea leaves.
Read moreSafety Company Pyroban has issued an infographic aimed at all forklift OEMs and dealers to simplify the mystery that surrounds explosion proof forklifts.
Read moreOne common way of minimizing possibilities of electrical wiring and equipment becoming an ignition source in hazardous (classified) locations is to locate the equipment and wiring outside of the hazardous (classified) location wherever possible. This is always a practical approach and a good exercise of ingenuity, although it is not always possible. Often equipment and wiring installations have to be located within hazardous (classified) locations, and safe installations require a thorough understanding of more restrictive wiring rules.
Read moreBy prioritising inspection regimes according to the degree of risk, Mike Brown of British Engineering Services explains how inspection intervals can often be extended, safety improved and cost/profit benefits realised.
Read moreThe most versatile component used in electrical equipment in Hazardous Areas is the ENCLOSURE.
Read moreThe potential risks of high-powered LED luminaires have been known for years. Those risks continue to grow as LED technology improves with more power output. It is equally clear that the interpretation of the standards meant to ensure the safety of these luminaires has been anything but consistent. Fortunately, change is in the air.
Read moreEmulsion und Festpaste haben im Polierverfahren spezifi-sche Vorteile. Diese werden in einem neuen Auftragsverfah-ren (MELT – Menzerna Liquefaction Technology) kombi-niert. Feste Polierpasten werden dabei aufgeschmolzen. Dies ermöglicht die Nutzung über lange Distanzen und ohne manuellen Eingriff. Dadurch eröffnen sich für Festpasten neue Anwendungsbereiche. Feste Polierpasten bieten zu-dem bessere Oberflächenqualitäten als Emulsionen.
Read more‘Ex’ Marking can be complex. Consensus exists for how to express most of the marking for equipment that falls within the scope of IEC 60079-0 or ISO 80079-36, but it has not been reached for the hazardous area code, or marking string.
Read moreAlthough many readers may be familiar with the term “Harmonised Standard”, it is a sometimes a concern how little understanding there is of the significance of the harmonisation process. Whether you are a manufacturer anywhere in the world, or a purchaser, an installer or a user of ATEX Equipment in Europe, it is important to understand what harmonisation means to you.
Read moreDie Polierpaste und ihr Einfluss auf die Temperatur wirken sich maßgeblich auf die Wirtschaftlichkeit des Polierverfahrens aus. Beim Polieren von Messerklingen aus Edelstahl überhitzten bei der Johannes Giesser Messerfabrik GmbH, Winnenden die Werkstücke, was zur Rauchentwicklung führte. Um einen Brand zu verhindern, musste der Anpressdruck der Polierringe reduziert werden, was Qualitätsprobleme und längeren Bearbeitungszeiten zur Folge hatte. Durch die Erhebung von Prozessdaten im Technikumsver-such konnte Menzerna die Ursache der Überhitzung identifizieren und eine wirtschaftlich und qualitativ optimale Kombination aus Po-lierpaste und Polierwerkzeug finden.
Read moreWhen eating a muesli bar, one doesn’t normally think of explosions – And yet, the f&b industry is full of explosion hazards. Reason enough for foods giant Nestlé to consider an up-to-date explosion prevention solution. The result is both safe and tasty...
Read moreWhen it comes to the compliance of electrical equipment used in hazardous locations, the processes and conformity routes are pretty well known amongst the manufacturing community. Yet the landscape changed in 2016 with the introduction of the IECEx’s latest conformity scheme, covering non-electrical equipment. Read CSA Group’s quick guide on the key things you need to know about the scheme.
Read moreDuring the 20 years of its existence, the IECEx system has become an increasingly important element in the international trade of products and services for hazardous areas. At the beginning of that period almost every country has had its own regulations - doing business internationally meant an endless repetition of the same tests and bureaucratic procedures to gain different national certificates.
Read moreEmerging from a period of high growth and rapid expansion into an era of oversupply, the oil and gas industry must be innovative and reduce costs by implementing new technological advances. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is one of these, says René Larsen of SafeEx, and use of this technology can improve performance and control costs.
Read moreCommission communication in the framework of the implementation of Directive 2014/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
Read moreThe first step in solving any problem is admitting that you have one. People are the process industry’s greatest asset, but they can also be the weakest link without the support they need. Problems with operator competency impact process performance and can pose serious safety consequences. Weaknesses can only be addressed if they are first identified.
Read moreDie Anforderungen an den Explosionsschutz nicht-elektrischer Komponenten wurden erst mit der Atex-Richtlinie einheitlich definiert. In der Praxis herrscht bei Anlagenbetreibern und Herstellern mechanischer Komponenten bis heute Unklarheit darüber, wie beispielsweise mit Vorgaben in Bedienungsanleitungen hinsichtlich es Explosionsschutzes umzugehen ist.
Read moreThe one subject guaranteed to get everyone hot under the collar is the subject of the marking of Ex Equipment. There is not much disagreement about the need to identify the equipment type, its operational parameters and its manufacturer, but everyone seems to have an opinion on how the hazardous area code should be expressed.
Read moreThe acronym ATEX, derived from the French phrase "ATmosphere EXplosible”, was initially introduced in the European Union to facilitate the free movement of goods and services of equipment used in hazardous environments.The resulting ATEX Directive removed the need to test and document a product for each EU country by harmonising the way different hazardous explosive environments are classified across all industries.
Read moreClick on "READ MORE" for the whole article.
Read moreThis chapter provides basic information on the installation and operation of electrical systems in Ex areas.
Read moreInspection of Ex installations is an important part of Ex Compliance. Today all electrical, but non-electrical installations shall be part of the daily(?) inspection work.
Read moreAs Ex areas are not equally hazardous, equipment is subject to different requirements. Techical principles chapter provides more information about zone classification, equipment categories, the equipment protection level (EPL), different equipment groups, ignition temperature and temperature classes. You can find out about the various protection types and familiarise yourself with marking principles.
Read moreThe requirements of electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres are multifarious: national and international regulations, directives and standards must be observed and ensure maximum safety. The following chapter summarises the main legal requirements and recommendations worldwide, in the European Union and in North America to provide the reader with an overview.
Read moreExplosion protection is a key area of safety engineering. So it is essential to understand the fundamental principles of an explosion and its causation factors. This article familiarises readers with the main principles and terms in the field of explosion protection.
Read moreStatic Electricity has been known since antiquity (approx.. 2500 years) but its impact on humankind was not significant enough to generate the interest of the inquisitive minds for its study.
Read moreIdentification is mandatory. All Directives, Schemes, related standards define the necessity of lifetime tracking... How can you do this if you have 100 pcs of same light fitting installed on one place... How do you follow up, if they are brought to the maintenance workshop, and which comes back to original place. You may need a tool here.
Read moreThe article presents an explanation of surface temperature requirements for the electrical cables located in explosive atmospheres. The article is intended for persons with basic knowledge in the field of explosion protection as well as for persons willing to extend their knowledge in that field.
Read moreEN 14986:2017 entitled “Design of fans working in potentially explosive atmospheres” was issued in January. Although not greatly different in principle from the 2007 edition, there are enough changes to mean that most fans will have to be reassessed against the new standard before the 2007 edition loses harmonisation status.
Read moreA large amount of confusion still exists over the change in the IEC 60079-14: 2013 5th Edition from the 4th Edition in 2007 over the use of barrier glands terminating into Ex d flameproof enclosures. To provide a little bit of guidance here, I thought it might be useful to discuss the differences between the standards and also provide some information on how industry has addressed this issue.
Read moreIEC 60079-14 is one of the most important International Standard, specifying the requirements for the Design,the Selection & The Physical Set-up,and the Initial Inspection of Electrical Installation in or associated with Explosive Atmospheres. Let us walk-through the informative world of IEC 60079-14.
Read moreA safety shop is an interesting place,to visit,meet the ExPERTS and shop. Specially the ones which have the complete range of Ex Safety merchandise.You can easily recognize & spot these exclusive safety shops by the clear display of the following safety-sign.
Read moreWith the publication of ISO 80079-36 and -37 at the end of 2015 and of the EN versions in 2016, manufacturers of non-electrical equipment can now get an IECEx international certificate at the same time as they update their ATEX documentation to take account of the imminent de-harmonisation of the related EN 13463 series of standards. Manufacturers must start taking action within the next two years.
Read moreAn intrinsically safe design starts with a clear understanding of the area hazards before connecting all devices together.
Read moreThe reason the ‘Ex’ Mark is in a Hexagon is the representation of the six original Member states of the EU joining together to have a common ’standard’ for explosion protection. Now the UK is leaving the EU, what effect will that have on ‘Ex’, ATEX and CE?
Read moreThe number of company directors who have been prosecuted for health and safety offences has trebled in a year, according to research from a law firm.
Read moreWhen specifying explosion-proof (Ex d) enclosures to house electrical apparatus for use in explosive atmospheres, engineers need to understand the implications of modifying the enclosure as part of the certified equipment prior to and after installation
Read moreOil and Gas workers are subject to some of the most hazardous industrial conditions in the US. Serious injuries and fatalities occur too often from an oil accident or gas accident. Oil and gas attorneys ensure that gas and oil companies are held accountable for oil drilling accidents and oil field accidents.
Read moreApplying a new standard to a process is, in many cases, an exercise of ‘once and done’, but not with EN1127-1:2011. In this article, we take a look at the key changes in the Standard and the contributing factors that influence its application including protective systems and the application of functional safety.
Read moreIECEx held both technical and organisational meetings in South Africa at the start of September. In his article published in the October edition of HazardEx, the IECEx Management Committee chairman, Thorsten Arnhold, covered a number of the organisational issues that were discussed. So I will deal with one of the technical issues that generated a lot of discussion.
Read moreATEX or IECEx certified products are essential in any location that may contain, or has activities that produce explosive or potentially explosive atmospheres. There are a number of places that could be defined as being in an explosive atmosphere, some more obvious such as an oil rig, and others that you might not think of as being particularly explosive, such as a flour mill.
Read moreEx question An explosion incident occurs at a premises, apparently due to a faulty piece of electrical equipment installed in a hazardous location. A formal investigation ensues. What types of things will the investigators want to check regarding hazardous area documentation?
Read moreChanges in the field of explosion-proof work. Not only the new ATEX 114 Directive 2014/34 / EU is in force. Also some new standards have been delivered for non-electrical equipments.
Read moreExplosive atmospheres in the workplace can be caused by flammable gases, mists or vapours or by combustible dusts. If there is enough of the substance, mixed with air, then it only requires a source of ignition to cause an explosion and explosions can cause serious damage, injury and loss of life. Preventing the release of dangerous substances, which can result in an explosive atmosphere, and preventing the sources of ignition are both ways of reducing the risk.
Read moreThe equipment covered by the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive 89/686/EEC is specifically excluded from Directive 2014/34/EU. However...
Read moreeHAZOP is the application of a series of technical examinations and audits to assess hazard potential to personnel and plan of mistaken operation of a system or malfunction of individual components and consequential effects including operator error.
Read moreYou will be aware that, in the recent referendum, the UK has voted to prepare to leave the European Union. Some have asked if this will affect the way that a NB operates and if it will affect the validity of ATEX certification.
Read moreThe electric cigarette looks often like a normal cigarette and consists of several components: batteries, cartridges, vaporizers and mouthpiece. Due to the presence of electrical components must be understood that the electrical cigarette can comprise effective sources of ignition. So this does not become ignition source in the presence of hazardous atmosphere, analogous to electrical equipment must take all effective sources of ignition are excluded.
Read moreForeword These Guidelines are professional ones, they complete or precise those published by the European Commission in July 2005. Their aim is to fix common interpretations within the European Valve Industry for issues that have still not yet been clarified. These points are detailed in Part B of this document, Part A being a reminder of the general ATEX concepts.
Read moreThreadbare certificates for tablets and smartphones were on the Expert Forum in June a subject of discussion.
Read moreIndustrial accidents in any environment can be tragic. But when these accidents happen in hazardous locations — those where explosive elements like flammable gas or vapour, liquid and dust are present — the results can be catastrophic, and may result in personal injury or property damages, including environmental damage.
Read moreWhat tools we may use in any hazardous environment?
Read moresince 20 April 2016 we do have the new ATEX certificate (2014/34/EU) on the board. shall we recertify the already certified products acc to the new Directive or not?
Read morewhat about mechanically generated sparks acc to EN 1127-1:2011?
Read more