Standards Development

Scope

This document establishes basic principles to support understanding for users at all levels on the topic of equipment for explosive atmospheres. This includes an overview of the methods for the identification and assessment of hazardous situations which could lead to an explosion, and the design, construction, inspection and maintenance measures appropriate to achieve the required level of safety.

This document provides an outline of the structure of the standards prepared by IEC/TC 31 for correct application of the IEC 60079 and ISO/IEC 80079 series.

This document addresses the various elements in the lifecycle of equipment used in an installation involving explosive atmospheres, primarily through reference to other parts of the IEC 60079 and the ISO/IEC 80079 series. This document is also intended to resolve application details that are not currently well defined for smaller appliance type applications.

Excluded from the work of IEC TC 31 and this document are hazards resulting from explosives.

Information in this document is also applicable where the requirements of other parts of the IEC 60079 and ISO/IEC 80079 series do not apply. This document and the associated standards in the IEC 60079 series, do not address compliance for other aspects of electrical safety.

This document, and the associated standards in the IEC 60079 series only supplement other aspects of electrical safety.IEC 60079-101 is a BASIC SAFETY PUBLICATION focussing on the prevention and mitigation of explosions due to flammable gas, flammable vapour, or combustible dusts. It is primarily intended for use by technical committees in the preparation of SAFETY publications in accordance with the principles laid down in IEC Guide 104, Guide 108 and ISO/lEC Guide 51.

One of the responsibilities of a TC is, wherever applicable, to make use of BSPs in the preparation of its publications.