Report on the activities of the ATEX Consultant

Xavier Lefebvre

Contract: CENELEC/NA Consultant/2015-1

Short period covered: from 1 September 2015 / 16 September 2015

1.  Attended meetings

Date / Subject / Location
x / x / x

2.  Assessments of standards

Organization / Number / RESULT
x / x / x

3.  Future Assessments and Standardization Work:

TC 31 "Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres"

EN 60079-28:2015 / Explosive atmospheres - Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation
FprEN 60079-7:2015 (note 2&3) / Explosive atmospheres - Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety "e"
FprEN 60079-30-1:2015 (note 1) / Explosive atmospheres - Part 30-1: Electrical resistance trace heating - General and testing requirements
IEC/ EN 60079-0 (edition 7) / Explosive atmospheres - Part 0: Equipment - General requirements

Note 1: CLC-TC31 need to “re-discuss” the implications of the dual logo standard IEC/IEEE 60079-30-1 relating to Trace Heating. The document refers to Division (North America rules) based systems as well as Zone based systems in a mandatory manner,CLC-TC31 would take care and or/ prepare an EN version of the standard which would not be identical to the IEC/IEEE in view to clarify specific annexes.

Note 2: In addition to the new edition of EN60079-7, the new working group from IEC TC31 AHG 47: Gc Electronic equipment can offer an added contribution to obtain clarifications regarding electronic/electro technical equipment able to be designed in accordance with standards requirements for EPLGc category 3G. As already indicated and supported by IEC/EN60079-0, electronic/electro technical equipment shall be constructed also in accordance with the applicable safety requirements of the relevant industrial standards.

Note 3: The future of EN60079-15 needs to be discussed including the type pf protection Ex nR often used with “very large” flexibility in industry compared to annex A of IEC70-15 dated on 1987.

§  CLC/SC 31-8 Electrostatic painting and finishing equipment

It is important to indicate that European experts of SC31-8 will continue their work with lack of expertise at international level.

§  CLC/SC 31-9 Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of combustible gases to be used in industrial and commercial potentially explosive atmospheres

FprEN 60079-29-1:2015 / Explosive atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

·  CENTC305 (Work in progress)

-  prEN 1839 "Determination of explosion limits of gases and vapours and determination of the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) for flammable gases and vapours"

-  EN 14986 "Design of fans working in potentially explosive atmospheres"

-  WI 00305139 " Vacuum cleaners and dust extractors for use in potentially explosive atmospheres for gases and dusts

Information on IEC/EN and ISO/EN work in progress

-  FprEN ISO 80079-36 "Explosive atmospheres - Part 36: Non-electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres - Basic methods and requirements"

-  FprEN ISO 80079-37 "Explosive atmospheres - Part 37: Non-electrical equipment for use in explosive atmospheres - Non-electrical type of protection constructional safety 'c', control of ignition sources 'b', liquid immersion 'k'"

-  Revision of EN ISO/IEC 80079-34:2011 "Explosive atmospheres – Part 34: Application of quality systems for equipment manufacture"

This revision needs to include comments given two years go in this ATEX Working group including references to ATEX Directive.

-  prEN ISO/IEC 80079-38 "Explosive atmospheres - Part 38: Equipment and components in explosive atmospheres in underground mines"

-  prEN ISO/IEC 80079-41 (WI 00305140) "Internal combustion engines"

It is important to take time to write this standard in view to define explosion tests methods able to demonstrate a required level of safety for cat 2G/1M2 and cat 3G.

4.  Assessments including:

·  Verification of the quality, and conformity to the corresponding Union legislation and policies, of European standards or European standardisation deliverables (new clarification)

·  Examination of specific annexes ZA, ZY, ZZ and previous edition

·  Evaluation of documents written by IEC TC 31 under Dresden Agreement with European ATEX CENELEC Standards

·  Discussion with experts (ATEX, RID/ADR, Machinery, Offshore, Energy, IMO)

5.  Scheduled Meeting : TC 305 Roma, Italy, 29/30 October 2015

6.  Specific standards (others TCs):

EN1755 Forklifts: New version of draft is available and involved experts can discuss with relevant stakeholders of ADCO involved in the revision of “forklift consideration paper”.

ISO 21789 Gas turbine Applications-Safety: experts are invited to review last draft available.