Standards Development

Scope

The function of this standard (description of general principles) is to describe principles for a consistent systematic procedure for ignition risk assessment of non-electrical equipment and components for intended use in potentially explosive atmosphere. Annex A is informative and contains examples for ignition risk assessment.

This European Standard does not provide means to prove the conformity of equipment categories. The procedure of ignition risk assessment for the design of equipment and components lead to a defined safety level which allows categorisation according to the appropriate criteria.

It is in both the manufacturer's and user's interest to establish a common methodology for achieving safety, reliability and efficacy in functioning and operating CEN/TC 305 N 1611 Section Details equipment and components with respect to the ignition hazards. Thus, ignition risk assessment is a tool which provides the essential link between manufacturers and users, but only aspects that directly address manufacturers are incorporated.

Integrated explosion safety is conceived to prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres as well as sources of ignition and, should an explosion nevertheless occur, to halt it immediately and / or to limit its effects. In this connection, the manufacturer must take measures with respect to the potential ignition sources. In addition, equipment and component must be designed and constructed after due analysis of possible operating faults in order as far as possible to preclude dangerous situations taking the misuse which can reasonably be anticipated into account. Therefore it is absolutely necessary to conduct an ignition risk assessment process.

For the equipment and components the identification of the potential ignition sources is the most relevant part of the ignition risk assessment.

Purpose

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 13237:2003 and the following apply.