Hieroglyphics didn’t come to an end after Ancient Egypt

The marking requirements for electrical equipment for use in hazardous atmospheres has become ludicrous and is about to become even more so. The primary function of marking should be to assist in ensuring that equipment is correctly installed in its intended location. There is a need for the equipment to be readily identified and traceable [...]

Equipment Protection Levels and all that

One of the evil side effects of the ATEX Directive is that the IEC feels compelled to follow its more whimsical requirements. However the IEC must maintain its independence and consequently it follows similar principles but modifies the marking.The most recent manifestation of this phenomenon is the creation of Equipment Protection Levels (EPLs], which are [...]

Doubling the Risk ?

The ATEX Directives and recent IEC standards have increased awareness of the risk associated with both dust and gas hazards. However none of the existing documents cover what should be done when both dust and gas is present. This combination frequently occurs in the storage of agricultural products, the pharmaceutical industry and in some parts [...]

Risky Analysis

The current answer to all hazardous area safety problems is that a risk analysis should be compiled by the plant operator, or by some hired ‘expert’. In the particular case where a plant with ‘potentially explosive atmospheres’ is being operated within the European Community then the risk analysis for the complete plant should [...]