ATEX—Explosive Atmospheres (eBook)

Risk Assessment, Control and Compliance

Torben Jespen (Autor)

eBook Download: PDF

2016 | 1st ed. 2016
XII, 197 Seiten
Springer International Publishing (Verlag)
978-3-319-31367-2 (ISBN)

Infos

This book details how safety (i.e. the absence of unacceptable risks) is ensured in areas where potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) can arise. The book also offers readers essential information on how to comply with the newest (April 2016) EU legislation when the presence of ATEX cannot be avoided.

By presenting general guidance on issues arising out of the EU ATEX legislation - especially on zone classification, explosion risk assessment, equipment categorization, Ex-marking and related technical/chemical aspects - the book provides equipment manufacturers, responsible employers, and others with the essential knowledge they need to be able to understand the different - and often complicated - aspects of ATEX and to implement the necessary safety precautions. As such, it represents a valuable resource for all those concerned with maintaining high levels of safety in ATEX environments.

Torben Jespen received his Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Trade from Copenhagen Business School (CBS).

He spent 5 years as an Assistant Professor at the DTU's Institute of Chemical Industry - teaching chemical process and reaction engineering - and 25 years in different positions at the Confederation of Danish Employers, where he provided assistance to Member Organizations and Companies concerning occupational health and safety matters, especially with aspects related to EU legislation.

Torben has over 9 years' experience as a Technical Adviser at a globally operating Danish engineering company and industrial plant equipment supplier company, and in the course of his 20 years as an advisory expert to the European Commission regarding Product and Workplace health and safety legislation, he served as the chairman of several advisory groups.

He has also held the vice-chair and employer spokesperson positions at the European Agency on Occupational Safety and Health (European OSHA) in Bilbao, Spain, and has been actively involved in several ILO activities, including the elaboration of Conventions, Recommendations and Guidelines, such as those on 'occupational safety and health management systems'.

Inhalt

Preface 6
Contents 8
1 ATEX—Introduction 14
1.1 Disclaimer 16
Part I ATEX Workplace Safety Aspects—Employer Obligations 17
2 ATEX—Workplace Legislation 18
2.1 Introduction 18
2.2 Explosions—Hazards and Risks 20
2.3 Workplace Obligations (Directive 1999/92) 21
2.3.1 Zone Classification—Likelihood of Explosive Atmosphere Being Present 22
2.3.2 Likelihood of Ignition Sources Being Present and Effective 26
2.3.3 Anticipated Effects 27
2.3.4 Explosion Protection Document 27
2.4 Equipment Selection 28
2.5 Explosion Protection Measures—Mitigating the Effects 29
3 ATEX—Risk Parameters 31
3.1 Introduction 31
3.2 Gas/Vapour Explosion Risk Parameters 32
3.2.1 Flash Point (TF) 32
3.2.2 Limits of Flammability 34
3.2.3 Auto-Ignition Temperature 34
3.2.4 Gas Group 35
3.2.5 Vapor Density 35
3.2.6 Summarizing 36
3.2.7 Examples 36
3.3 Dust Explosion Risk Parameters 37
3.3.1 Physical Properties 37
3.3.2 Minimum Explosive Concentration (LEL) 37
3.3.3 Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) 38
3.3.4 Minimum Ignition Temperature (MIT or Tig) 39
3.3.5 Layer Ignition Temperature (LIT or Ts) 40
3.3.6 Max Explosion Pressure (Pmax) 40
3.3.7 Kst Value (Max Rate of Pressure Rise) 40
3.3.8 Powder Volume Resistivity 41
3.3.9 Housekeeping 44
3.3.10 Summarizing 44
3.3.11 Examples 44
4 ATEX—Prevention 46
4.1 Introduction 46
4.2 Avoidance of Fuel (Flammable Materials) 46
4.3 Keeping Conditions Outside the Flammable Range 47
4.4 Inerting 47
4.5 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 49
4.5.1 CO2 Inerting at Coal Grinding 49
4.6 Nitrogen (N2) 51
5 ATEX—Equipment Selection 52
5.1 Introduction 52
5.2 Temperature Considerations 53
5.3 Gas and Dust Groups 55
5.4 Ingress Protection 56
5.5 Method of Protection 57
5.5.1 Electrical Equipment 57
5.5.2 Non-electrical Equipment Types of Protection 60
5.6 ATEX Marking 60
5.7 ATEX EU Declaration and Attestation of Conformity 63
6 ATEX—Mitigating Measures 65
6.1 Introduction 65
6.2 Explosion Relief Venting 66
6.2.1 Use of Vent Ducts 67
6.2.2 Effects External to the Vent 68
6.3 Explosion Resistant Design (Explosion Containment) 70
6.4 Explosion Suppression 71
6.5 Explosion Isolation (Explosion Decoupling) 72
7 ATEX—Risk Assessment 73
7.1 Introduction 73
7.2 Likelihood of an Explosive Atmosphere 73
7.3 Likelihood of an Effective Ignition Source 74
7.4 Comprehensive Risk Assessment 77
7.5 Anticipated Effects of an Explosion 77
7.6 Some Aspects of Controlling Risks Due to Static Electricity 77
7.6.1 Charge Generation 78
7.6.2 Electrostatic Charge Accumulation 79
7.6.3 Discharge Mechanism 81
7.6.4 Control Methods 82
7.6.4.1 Metallic and Conductive Components 82
7.6.4.2 Flexible Hoses and Connections 82
7.6.4.3 Personnel and Flooring 83
7.6.4.4 Liquids 83
7.6.4.5 Powders 84
7.6.4.6 Non-conductive Components 84
7.6.4.7 Vessels 84
7.7 Battery Charging Areas 85
8 Zone Classification—Oil Fluids 86
8.1 Introduction 86
8.2 Classification of Oil Fluids 87
8.3 Zone Classification—The Simple Cases 88
8.4 Zone Classification Key Terms 89
8.5 Zone Classification Technique 91
8.6 Zone Classification and Risk Assessment 92
8.7 Some Zone Classification Situations 93
8.7.1 Road Tanker Unloading (Open Air) 93
8.7.2 Storage Tanks and Vents 93
8.7.3 Liquid Pools Due to Spillage in Open Air 94
8.7.4 Point Source Releases (Failure Leaks) in Open Air 95
8.7.5 Some Aspects of Indoor Releases 96
8.8 Ambient Temperatures 97
References 98
9 Zone Classification—Natural Gas 99
9.1 Introduction 99
9.2 Grade of Release 99
9.2.1 Primary Grade of Release 100
9.2.2 Secondary Grade of Release 101
9.3 Gas Zones, Definition and Guidelines 102
9.4 Effects of Ventilation 103
9.5 Natural Gas Zone Classification Around Installations 105
9.5.1 Leakage 105
9.5.2 Non-ideal Vent Pipe Terminations Associated with Relief Valves 105
9.6 Zone Classification and Risk Assessment 106
9.7 Adequacy of Ventilation 106
9.7.1 Assessing the Adequacy of Ventilation 106
9.7.2 Degree of Ventilation 108
9.7.3 Setting Focus on Natural Gas (Methane) 108
9.7.4 Supplementary Natural Gas Release Calculations 110
References 111
10 Zone Classification—Dusts 112
10.1 Introduction 112
10.2 Explosion Risk Parameters 113
10.3 Grade of Release 114
10.4 Zone and Zone Extent Assignment 115
10.5 Explosion Risk Assessment Aspects 117
10.5.1 Minimum Ignition Energy (MIE) 119
10.5.2 Powder Volume Resistivity 120
10.6 Controlling Dust Explosion Risks 122
10.7 Fire Risks—Supplementing the Explosion Risks 124
10.8 Coal Dust Zone Classification 125
10.8.1 Some Plant Equipment Considerations 127
10.8.2 Risk Assessment—Inside Equipment 128
10.8.3 Risk Assessment—Outside Equipment 129
10.8.4 Methane Explosion Aspects 129
10.8.5 Equipment Selection 130
References 133
11 ATEX—Worldwide 134
11.1 Introduction 134
11.2 The Class/Division System 134
11.2.1 Classes 134
11.2.2 Divisions 135
11.2.3 Groups 135
11.3 The Zone System 136
11.4 Comparing the Class/Division and the Zone System 136
11.5 Explosive Gas Atmosphere Equipment Temperature Codes 137
11.6 Ingress Protection Classification Systems 137
11.7 Electrical Protection Concepts 139
11.8 Mechanical Protection Concepts 140
11.9 Marking of ATEX Equipment 141
11.10 Approval Agencies 141
Part II ATEX Equipment Safety Aspects—Manufacturer Obligations 142
12 ATEX—Equipment Legislation 143
12.1 Introduction 143
12.2 Scope of the ATEX Equipment Directive 2014/34 144
12.3 Assemblies 144
12.4 Equipment Groups and Categories 145
12.5 Obligations of Economic Operators 146
12.5.1 Manufacturer 146
12.5.2 Authorised Representative 147
12.5.3 Importer 148
12.5.4 Distributer 148
12.6 Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) 149
12.7 Conformity Assessment Procedures 149
12.8 Documents of Conformity 151
12.9 Technical Documentation (Dossier) 152
12.10 Instructions 153
12.11 Markings 153
12.12 Some Important Basic Aspects 154
12.13 Standards and Protection Methods 156
12.14 Basic Requirements and Ignition Hazard Assessment (IHA) 156
13 ATEX—Ignition Hazard Assessment (IHA) 158
13.1 Introduction 158
13.2 Ignition Source Terms/Definitions 158
13.3 Hot Surfaces 159
13.4 Mechanically Generated Sparks 160
13.5 Ignition Hazard Assessment (IHA)—Step by Step 160
13.5.1 Identification of Relevant Possible Ignition Sources 161
13.5.2 Preliminary Ignition Hazard Estimation and Evaluation 162
13.5.3 Preventive Measures Implemented and Their Documentation 163
13.5.4 Eventual Assessment 164
13.6 Technical Documentation 165
14 ATEX—Ignition Sources 166
14.1 Introduction 166
14.2 Possible Ignition Sources 166
14.2.1 Hot Surfaces 166
14.2.2 Flame and Hot Gases, Including Hot Particles 167
14.2.3 Mechanical Generated Sparks 167
14.2.4 Electrical Equipment 168
14.2.5 Static Electricity 168
14.2.6 Chemical Reactions, Including Self Ignition and Spontaneous Ignition 168
14.2.7 Lighting 169
14.2.8 Stray Electric Currents e.g. from Cathodic Corrosion Protection Systems 169
14.2.9 Radio Frequency Waves 169
14.2.10 Optical Radiation, Including Laser Radiation 169
14.2.11 Ionising Radiation 169
14.2.12 Adiabatic Compression and Shock Waves 170
14.3 Expected and/or Rare Malfunction 170
14.4 Examples on the Use of the Ignition Hazard Assessment Scheme 171
14.4.1 Possible Ignition Source Table 171
14.4.2 IHA Table 172
15 ATEX—Communicating IHA Results 173
15.1 Communicating IHA Results 173
15.2 Communicating Absence of Inherent Potential Ignition Sources 174
15.2.1 Using ATEX Equipment Directive 2014/34 Anyhow 174
15.2.2 Supplementing a Required Declaration of Conformity 175
15.2.3 Using a Separate Declaration 175
16 ATEX—Ex-Marking 176
16.1 Ex-Marking 176
16.2 CE- and Ex-Marking According to ATEX Directive 2014/34 176
16.3 Ex-Marking According to EN 13463-1 178
16.4 Ex-Marking According to EN 60079-0 179
16.5 A Comprehensive ATEX Equipment Marking 180
Part III Basic Fire and Explosion Aspects 182
17 Fires and Explosions—Basic Knowledge 183
17.1 Introduction 183
17.2 Definitions 183
17.3 Fires and Explosions 185
17.4 Deflagrations 186
17.5 Confined (Internal) Explosions 188
17.6 Partly Confined Gas Explosions 189
17.7 Gas Explosions in Process Areas and Unconfined Areas 190
17.8 Flash Fires 191
A Few Facts About the Author 192
Index 194

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 7.4.2016
• Reihe/Serie: Springer Series in Reliability Engineering
• Zusatzinfo: XII, 197 p. 5 illus. in color.
• Verlagsort: Cham
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Naturwissenschaften ► Chemie
• Themenwelt: Recht / Steuern ► EU / Internationales Recht
• Themenwelt: Technik
• Themenwelt: Wirtschaft ► Betriebswirtschaft / Management ► Logistik / Produktion
• Schlagworte: ATEX directive 2014/34 • Equipment selection • Explosive Safety • Industrial risk • Quality Control, Reliability, Safety and Risk • Risk obligations • Zone classification
• ISBN-10: 3-319-31367-3 / 3319313673
• ISBN-13: 978-3-319-31367-2 / 9783319313672