Hadar

Certification Guides

Overview

DSEAR defines a place where an explosive atmosphere may occur in quantities that require special precautions to protect the health and safety of workers as "hazardous". A place where an explosive atmosphere is not expected to occur in quantities that require such special precautions is deemed to be "non-hazardous".

Irrespective of the type of business we are in we must be aware, as part of our general risk assessment that on some occasions even in the most innocuous of circumstances the chance of an explosion may occur. In the main this could simply be when using adhesive, paint or solvent when the safety information on the material must be followed to ensure a safe environment. However some activities, by their very nature are more prone to threats of this kind than others.

Assessing the risk

Identifying hazardous or non-hazardous areas would normally be carried out by a qualified H & S officer, taking into account all the circumstances relevant to the area being assessed. Taken together these factors are the starting point for hazardous area classification, and should allow for the identification of any zoned areas.

Hazardous area zones and equipment categories
Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere.
Gases, vapours and mists.

Zones Gas EN 60079-10 Dust EN 61241-10 Definitions
0 20 A Place in which an explosive atmosphere is continually present. category 1 equipment
1 21 A Place in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally. category 2 equipment
2 22 A Place in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation, but if it does only occurs for short periods. category 3 equipment

Notes
Zone 0 Category  1 equipment can also be used in Zone 1 and 21. Zone 1 category 2 equipment can also be used in Zone 2 and 22 Category 3 areas

IP Ratings

1st Numerical
Protection against Solid Bodies		 2nd Numerical
Protection against Liquids
0 No protection 0 No protection
1 Objects > 50mm 1 Vertically Dripping Water
2 Objects > 12mm 2 Drops of Liquid (75° to 90°)
3 Objects > 2.5mm 3 Sprayed Water
4 Objects > 1mm 4 Splashed Water
5 Dust-protected 5 Water Jets
6 Dust-tight 6 Heavy Seas
  7 Effects of immersion
  8 Indefinite immersion

This certification guide has been included in our website as an introduction to classification of Hazardous area Zones and must be used for basic information only. More detailed information can be found at some of the official sites listed below.

http://www.siracertification.com
http://www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/atex.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sectors/mechanical/documents/guidance/atex/
http://www.iecex.com/
http://www.iecee.org/