Special precautions need to be taken in hazardous areas to prevent equipment from being a source of ignition. In situations where an explosive atmosphere has a high likelihood of occurring, reliance is placed on using equipment with a low probability of creating a source of ignition.
In the main, an Asset Condition Assessment and Compliance Study will identify all assets that are located in Hazardous Zones, noting them as being acceptable or as representing a potential explosive risk.
The selection of electrical equipment for safe use in hazardous areas has been the subject of strict control for many years. BS EN 60079 Part 17 covers Inspections and Maintenance of Electrical Installations in Hazardous Areas.
Every single potential ignition source must be accounted for, and inspection protocols put in place to demonstrate due diligence. BS EN 60079 Part 17 refers to three inspections grades Visual, Close and Detailed. These should be in place as standard as part of your ongoing maintenance plan.
Electrical equipment will also be assessed by virtue of its manufacturer’s nameplate, glanding and classification details as to its suitability for operation in its hazardous zone.
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Operation or failure modes of Non- Electrical equipment could represent a potential explosive risk too.
A risk assessment of all equipment in hazardous zones will be required to complete an audit trail.
Generally there are two mechanical ignition scenarios that need to be considered. these are, ignition resulting from a failure in the machine such as a bearing over-heating or ignition created by the normal functioning of the machine such as a hot brake surface (ref: BS EN ISO 80079-36:2016)
The study outcome will be an asset condition and defect report for Electrical and Non-Electrical equipment located in identified Hazardous Area Zones.
The following are considerations for the closure stage of this work:
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