Explosive Atmospheres (Hazardous Locations) testing

Potentially explosive atmospheres (or hazardous locations) are made up of gases, vapours, mists or dusts. These atmospheres may be in commercial, industrial, military or aerospace environments.

TRaC provides a full range of services to the suppliers of equipment for use in hazardous locations. These services include:

Product evaluation and certification - to IEC, EN, UL and Mil/Aero standards
Production control audits - ATEX QAN, IECEx QAR and Hazloc
Technical file services - for ATEX mechanical equipment
Technical advice sessions - Free 2 hour pre-application meeting
Design study - Short feasibility review of key features of the design

TRaC also provides services in support of Hazardous Area Safety in the UK (DSEAR).

These services include:

Hazardous area classification - Zoning of hazardous areas
Hazardous area risk assessment - Defining explosion risks
Hazardous area documentation - Evidence packs to support legal obligations
Hazardous area training - Training for key personnel in support of DSEAR
Hazardous area inspections – Routine inspection of electrical equipment

There are three main sets of technical requirements applicable to commercial hazardous locations throughout the world. The process of global harmonisation for these technical requirements is developing around a core of IEC hazardous area standards. The three main sets of requirements to consider are:

ATEX certification - for European markets
Hazloc certification - for USA and Canadian markets
IECEx certification - for other international markets

In addition, there are specific requirements for Military and Aerospace hazardous locations:

Military testing – explosive atmospheres in defence applications
Aerospace testing - explosive atmospheres in aviation applications

Potentially explosive atmospheres are commonly found in the following environments:

Aerospace
Food processing
Fuel handling
Military
Mining industries
Petrochemical
Pharmaceutical

Common standards used for testing equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres are:

IEC60079 and EN60079 series (electrical equipment – gases and dusts)
IEC61241 and EN61241 series (electrical equipment – dusts)
EN13463 series (ATEX mechanical equipment: gases and dusts)
EN13980 (ATEX production control)
MIL-STD 810F (explosion prevention in military equipment)
RTCA DO-160F (explosion prevention in aviation applications)

« back to top