The non-electrical equipment (mechanical) approach is different from the electrical equipment conformance assessment route.
Under ATEX 2014/34 / EU, the majority of non-electrical equipment is covered by self-declaration of conformity by equipment manufacturers. The manufacturer submits the technical file to NB. NB is usually stored for 10 years. In IECEx, self-declaration is not an approved conformance assessment route and requires a full assessment by an IECEx certification body.
Both manufacturers and end users are increasingly demanding compliance processes.
Technical requirements
Certification of non-electrical equipment (machinery) requires an assessment of the potential ignition source of the equipment by performing a thorough ignition risk assessment.
* Ignition risk assessment: Defined by ISO / EN80079-36 (formerly EN13463-0)
* Potential source of ignition of equipment: defined in EN 1127
The fire risk assessment covers not only normal operation, but also expected and rare malfunctions. After identifying the risk of the equipment, it is necessary to implement relocation measures or prevent ignition by applying the recognized protection concept to the ignition source. What is controlled is defined by the zone of use.
* Ignition of protection concept Source: EN13463 series and those detailed in ISO / EN 80079-37, etc.)
Purpose of use zone: Failure mode to control
* Zone 0: Rare, expected malfunction and normal behavior
* Zone 1: Expected Malfunction and Normal Behavior
* Zone 2: Normal operation
Following the completion of the equipment design phase and the completion of the fire risk assessment, the manufacturer must select the appropriate conformity assessment route after applying the necessary risk management measures and protection concepts.
You need a technical file that needs to be compiled as part of the process.
Required technical file contents
・ Overview of equipment;
・ Design and manufacturing drawings;
・ Ignition risk assessment (requirements defined in related standards, conforms to ISO80079-36 (formerly EN13463)).
・ A technical document (usually a conformance statement and checklist of the applied criteria) that defines the criteria used to demonstrate compliance and documents the evidence.
・ Calculations, measurements, and results of tests performed in conjunction with the calibration records of the test equipment.
Related directives, schemes, and standards
ATEX Directive – 2014/34 / EU (replacement of the original ATEX Directive 94/9 / EC). IECEx – IEC system for certification of standards related to equipment used in explosive atmospheres.
・ IEC / EN 60079-0: General requirements
・ IEC / EN 60079-1: Flame-proof Ex d
・ IEC / EN 60079-2: Pressurized Ex p
・ (IEC / EN 60079-11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety Ex i)
・ ISO / EN 80079-36: General requirements (mechanical equipment)
・ ISO / EN 80079-37: Structural safety Ex c
・ Control of ignition source Ex b
・ Immersion Ex k
Suggestion
We can make a wide range of contributions, from basic requirements for storing technical files to creating technical files and voluntary complete unit verification certification.
・ Technical file: ATEX 2014/34 / EU
・ Technical files with voluntary integrity checks and fire risk assessment reviews: ATEX 2014/34 / EU:
・ Complete certification (unit verification): ATEX 2014/34 / EU Annex IX
・ IECEx certification for non-electrical equipment
・ Technical support
The report of the risk assessment which is evaluated based on EN 1127-1 Ignition Source is requested. Ignition Hazard Assessment Report (IHAR) is stipulated in the international standard EN/ISO IEC 80079-36 & -37.
