ATEX & Non-Electrical Equipment

ATEX & NON-ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Directive 94/9/EC
Non-electrical Equipment - The ATEX Directive The ATEX Directive embodies the European requirements for equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It became mandatory on 30 June 2003. Prior to the Directive it was only necessary to apply explosion safety principles to electrical equipment. These principles, typically the EN 50014 series of standards, included some requirements for common non-electrical components, for example, fan clearance distances. Entirely non-electrical equipment was not considered, relying on Good Engineering Practice to ensure that the ignition risk of hot surfaces or sparks would not occur. In many countries, individual industry groups applied their own criteria for acceptance, making the movement of a product across international borders difficult. ATEX draws attention to the nonelectrical hazards and requires a consideration of these with respect to explosion safety. Equipment Category 1 or M1 Equipment designed to ensure a very high level of protection, even in the event of an expected malfunction or rare malfunction. Equipment Category 2 or M2 Equipment designed to ensure a high level of protection, even in the event of an expected malfunction. Equipment Category 3 Equipment ensuring a normal level of protection.
EC-Type Examination An EC-Type Examination Certificate, the design approval is issued by a Notified Body. The certificate is not a requirement for all
Quality Assurance Notification (QAN) A QAN certificate is issued by a Notified Body. The certificate, the most common choice, is not a requirement for all categories of non-electrical equipment. ATEX has two aspects - the equipment design and production phases. The requirements become more onerous as the level of risk increases. The design phase groups products into categories:
Internal Control of Production Internal control of production does not involve a Notified Body. It includes the maintenance of a Technical Documentation file and requires that the manufacturing process guarantees that the manufactured equipment is the same as that covered by the Technical Documentation.
Hazardous Area Centre, Rake Lane, Eccleston, Chester, England. CH4 9JN. Tel: +44 (0)1244 670 900, Fax: +44 (0)1244 681 330, e-mail: [email protected]
Certification and EU Notified Body activities are undertaken by Sira Certification Service (SCS), the independent certification body of Sira
Sira Test & Certification Ltd
Form 9227 Issue 4

Common Routes to Compliance with ATEX Group II Category Zone Gas Dust 0 20 1 Group I Category M1 (Equipment remains energised when flammable gas is present) M2 (Equipment is de-energised when flammable gas is present) Non-electrical equipment
EC-Type Examination Certificate and ATEX Quality Assurance Notification 1 21 2 Internal control of production. Submit Technical Documentation to a Notified Body 2 22 3 Internal control of production and Maintain Technical Documentation And in each case: EC declaration of conformity, equipment model type and CE Marking by manufacturer/importer Technical Documentation In general, Technical Documentation includes: A general description of the product. Conceptual design and manufacturing drawings. Descriptions and explanations necessary to understand the drawings and operation of the equipment. A list of standards applied in full or in part and descriptions of solutions adopted where the standards have not been applied. Results of design calculations and examination carried out. Test Reports (if applicable). Declaration of Conformity. Non-electrical equipment may be supplied on a skid or as an assembly with electrical equipment. Provided the electrical equipment is suitably certified and installed, the manufacturer does not need additional certification for these items. A good example is a CE marked, ATEX compliant flameproof motor attached to a mechanical pump or gearbox. When preparing the Technical Documentation, the motor, used as intended, does not need further assessment. i.e. there is a presumption of conformity. Assemblies of Electrical and Non-electrical Equipment
The Technical Documentation for Category 2/M2 equipment must be submitted to a Notified Body for retention. As a Notified Body, Sira can lodge the Technical Documentation for a flat-rate fee, as well as other services including checking and reviewing the documentation for completeness and correctness. For more information, please see the Sira Technical File datasheet or log onto: www.siracertification.com
The significant part of the Technical Documentation will concentrate on the nonelectrical ignition sources of the pump.
See section 3.7.5 of the ATEX guidelines for more information regarding assemblies.
Form 9227 Issue 4

Ignition Hazard Assessment The ignition hazard assessment will identify sources of ignition and these can then be dealt with in turn, either through compliance with EN 13463-1 or though compliance with additional parts of that series of standards. The main task is to establish the ignition risks that are present in normal operation (Category 3), or could be present under certain operating conditions on the equipment. Examples of these could include an expected malfunction (Category 2/M2) or rare malfunction (Category 1/M1). EN 13463-1 gives details of how the ignition hazard assessment should be carried out and worked examples in Annex B. An expected malfunction could be the failure of a bearing or loss of oil in a gearbox. A rare malfunction could be the break up of an air circulation fan. Some items of equipment will be designed to work across a boundary between zones. For example, a vessel might have a motor driven stirrer or pump where the ullage space in the vessel is Zone 0 and outside the vessel is Zone 1. These arrangements require special consideration to establish the appropriate requirements for each part. Standard Ignition Sources EN 13463-2:2004 Protection Concept The example below shows a label that might be applied to an item of Category 2 non-electrical equipment. The example equipment is suitable for potentially explosive gas (G) or dust (D) atmospheres, and uses constructional safety (designated c by EN 13463-5) to reduce the risk of ignition sources becoming effective. For details of marking requirements examples, refer to EN 13463-1. ABC Pumps Ltd Birmingham, UK and
File ref: 108112
II 2 G D c 85C Series 246 Pump Unit Serial No. 00081 Year 2003 Constructional safety used as the type of protection
Temperature marking
Technical Documentation file reference (Sira will provide this)
Protection by flow restricting enclosure (symbol: fr) - The explosive atmosphere is prevented from reaching the ignition source by the tight seals of the enclosure. The seals restrict the breathing of the enclosure as internal air heats cools through operationto of the equipment. There are a number of and concepts designed EN 13463-3:2005 Protection by flameproof enclosure (symbol: d) An ignition inside the equipment does not propagate the counter ignition sources that cannot be eliminated external atmosphere. This type of protection relies on closely machined joints and a tough enclosure. through compliance with EN 13463-1. The table prEN 13463-4 Protection by inherent safety (symbol: g) - low potential energy.
below gives general details of the protective measures that can be applied.by constructional safety EN 13463-5:2003 Protection
EN 13463-6:2005
prEN 13463-7 EN 13463-8:2003
Marking
(symbol: c) - Ignition hazards are eliminated by the specification of the equipment. Protection by control of ignition sources (symbol: b) - sources of ignition are only present in the event of a malfunction. The equipment is fitted with control equipment to detect malfunctions and prevent ignition sources arising. Protection by pressurisation (symbol: p) - draft not yet available. In general, the enclosure is purged with a protective gas (air) and pressurised to ensure that an external atmosphere cannot re-enter the enclosure. Protection by liquid immersion (symbol: k) - The enclosure has a suitable liquid to prevent the explosive atmosphere reaching the ignition source or to cool a hot surface (for example a gearbox).
Form 9227 Issue 4

Notified Body Services Sira is an independent Notified Body with accreditation from UKAS for its test and certification activities. Recognised across the world, Sira is heavily committed to providing manufacturers with an informed and flexible route to certification where the global marketplace remains extremely competitive. Only Category 1 and M1 non-electrical equipment requires an EC-Type Examination Certificate and most commonly a Quality Assurance Notification. Both types of certificates are offered by Sira as part of its function as a Notified Body. Although in many cases non-electrical equipment does not require Notified Body involvement, Sira can offer manufacturers of Category 2 non-electrical equipment and Category 3 equipment a service level appropriate to their needs: Third Party Certification Whilst in many cases, compliance can be determined by the manufacturer, it can be difficult to establish which requirements apply. Many customers have benefited from Siras expertise, and independent voluntary certification of nonelectrical equipment may provide additional marketing advantages. On-site Services Sira engineers can visit your premises to assist product and drawing assessments. Sira can witness or conduct any necessary testing, such as heat run tests. It is also possible to perform most, or all your companys certification testing at your site, thereby significantly reducing turn around times.
Storage of Technical Documentation. (Refer to the Sira Technical file datasheet) Review of the Technical File (gap analysis) prior to storage. Ignition hazard assessment advice. Testing services. Third party certification (includes assessment and testing).
Service Features Sira offers a range of innovative features when carrying out your companys test and assessment work: Services performed in-house under Siras direct control. Fixed price quotations. Budgetary estimates. Free initial two hour meeting. Pre-certification support. Weekly updates of project progress. Flexible payment terms.
Sira will be pleased to provide your company with a quotation for multiple applications at a more favourable price.
More Information For further information on our range of Nonelectrical equipment compliance services, please contact Sira: Tel: +44 (0) 1244 670 900 Email: [email protected] Web: www.siracertification.com
Form 9227 Issue 4

ATEX & Non-Electrical Equipment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ATEX & Non-Electrical Equipment

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

ATEX & Non-Electrical Equipment

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What are the different categories of non-electrical equipment under ATEX?

What are some of the common types of explosion protection for non-electrical equipment?

ATEX & NON-ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT Directive 94/9/EC

Sira Test & Certification Ltd

Form 9227 Issue 4