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ATEX IN SOUTH AFRICA by JG Auret, Explolabs …

ATEX IN SOUTH AFRICA by JG auret , Explolabs (Pty) Ltd 1. WHAT IS ATEX ? ATEX is the common name of Directive 94/9/EC of the European Community and deals with equipment and protective systems for use in hazardous locations and traded within the European Community (This article focuses on equipment only). It has been approved by the European Parliament in 1994 and becomes compulsory under European Community law in July 2003 in countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA). Its purpose is firstly economic - to ensure free trade by providing a common single set of requirements for current and new technologies providing safety in hazardous locations. These so-called Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR s) may be based on harmonised Ex standards and are applicable in conjunction with other relevant EC Directives (mainly the Low Voltage, EMC, and Machinery Directives).

ATEX IN SOUTH AFRICA by JG Auret, Explolabs (Pty) Ltd 1. WHAT IS ATEX ? ATEX is the common name of Directive 94/9/EC of the European Community and deals with

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Transcription of ATEX IN SOUTH AFRICA by JG Auret, Explolabs …

1 ATEX IN SOUTH AFRICA by JG auret , Explolabs (Pty) Ltd 1. WHAT IS ATEX ? ATEX is the common name of Directive 94/9/EC of the European Community and deals with equipment and protective systems for use in hazardous locations and traded within the European Community (This article focuses on equipment only). It has been approved by the European Parliament in 1994 and becomes compulsory under European Community law in July 2003 in countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA). Its purpose is firstly economic - to ensure free trade by providing a common single set of requirements for current and new technologies providing safety in hazardous locations. These so-called Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR s) may be based on harmonised Ex standards and are applicable in conjunction with other relevant EC Directives (mainly the Low Voltage, EMC, and Machinery Directives).

2 Compliance is confirmed by a Notified Body (the ex-explosion protection labs plus a few relatively newcomers such as TUV) and indicated by display of the CE mark (see Figure 1) together with protection-specific data. Terminology Directive: Legal regulation within the EEA European Economic Area (EEA): European Community countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway Harmonised standard: EN 50000 series for electrical Ex apparatus, draft for Ex diesel engines, draft EN 1127-1 (top level document) etc Conformity Assessment: Process to demonstrate compliance of a product with the EHSR s Notified Body: Body appointed by EEA member countries that meet the requirements of the ATEX Directive for undertaking the conformity assessment procedures CE Mark: Indicates adherence to EHSR s 2.

3 WHY TALK ABOUT ATEX ? SOUTH AFRICA trades heavily with Europe. ATEX affects local manufacturers, distributors and legislators: Manufacturers must be able to apply the CE Mark to their products. Distributors have to ensure that their Ex products comply with national and international certification requirements. Users have to ensure that equipment installed on their plants meet legal requirements and is safe. Legislators must ensure that laws and regulations are flexible enough to allow entry of all suitable equipment (prevent trade barrier) but also to provide for local conditions (workforce, environment). 3. THE ATEX APPROVAL PROCESS The flow diagram in Figure 2 describes the manner in which a manufacturer proves compliance with the EHSR s and achieves CE marking for Ex equipment.

4 Essentially, the steps are: Determine Group/Category of equipment meet requirements for Conformity Assessment and Production Control compile technical file containing proof of compliance with EHSR s issue manufacturer s Declaration of Conformity and apply CE mark. Below, we take a closer look at some of the issues mentioned. EHSR s The EHSR s refer to the normal explosion protection requirements. In addition, they refer to issues such as - Integrated explosion safety (covers prevention as well as control) - Accompanying instructions (marking, commissioning, use, assembling/dismantling, maintenance ie servicing and emergency repair, installation, adjustment, training, electrical and environmental parameters, special conditions of use (X), repair where appropriate)

5 - Materials (by implication light alloys, chemically protected against environment, durable - Protection against non-electrical dangers, dangers caused by foreseeable overload - Fail-safe electrical circuits - Emergency stops to be fitted with restart lockouts - Ergonomic design of control and display units - Devices with a measuring function for explosion protection (eg gas sensors) - Software - Manual override, dispersion of accumulated energy - Power failure Equipment Group/Category Group I relates to equipment used in underground mines and covers Categories M1 and M2. Group II relates to equipment for surface plants and covers Categories 1 to 3. Compare this with currently used protection concepts (unique ATEX features in italics): Category M1/1 Group I/II ~Zone 0 Very high level of protection Zone 20 (2 faults/types) Ex ia, Ex d/Ex e, DIPxxx, other Category M2/2 Group I/II ~Zone 1 High level of protection Zone 21 Ex ib, Ex d, Ex e, Ex p, Ex m, Ex q, DIPyyy, other Category 3 Group II ~Zone 2 Normal level of protection Zone 22 Ex n, other Requirements for Conformity Assessment and Production Control As to be expected, the Conformity Assessment and Production Control requirements for Ex equipment become stricter as the level of hazard (zone) becomes higher.)

6 They are: Equipment Conformity Assessment Production control Category M1/1 EC-type examination Production Quality Assurance/ Product Verification Category M2/2 EC-type examination Product Quality Assurance/ Conformity To Type Category 3 Examination by manufacturer Manufacturer control of production OR Unit Verification The main features/differences of the various production control methods are as follows. Production Quality Assurance (Category M1, 1) uEC-Type Examination (product Ex features known) uquality system complying with ISO 9002 uselective unit examination and testing by manufacturer (before, during, after manufacture) uquality system assessment by Notified Body Product Verification (Category M1, 1) uEC-Type Examination (product Ex features known) u100% unit examination and testing by Notified Body (to verify Ex features) Product Quality Assurance (Category M2, 2) uEC-Type Examination (product Ex features known) uquality system complying with ISO 9003 or ISO 9002 u100% unit examination and testing by manufacturer (after manufacture)

7 Uquality system assessment and auditing by Notified Body Conformity To Type (Category M2, 2) uEC-Type Examination (product Ex features known) u100% unit examination and testing by manufacturer uquality system assessment and auditing by Notified Body Unit Verification ucomplete examination and testing of single units by Notified Body 4. IDENTIFYING ATEX APPROVED EQUIPMENT A user can identify equipment approved in accordance with the ATEX Directive by its marking and certain compulsory documents. The marking must include: - details of manufacturer - CE mark - designation of series or type - serial number - year of construction - hexagon Ex mark, equipment group and equipment category, G/D - information essential for safe use (X) Documentation must cover marking details, instructions for marking, commissioning, use, assembling/dismantling, maintenance (servicing and emergency repair), installation, adjustment, training, electrical and environmental parameters, special conditions of use (X), repair where appropriate.

8 Proof must further be supplied that - the equipment has undergone and passed EC type examination (type testing) and that its production is controlled; or - that unit verification (batch testing) has been done. Where a Notified Body has been involved, such proof is in the form of certificates issued by the Notified Body. Figure 3 shows an example of an EC-Type Examination Certificate issued by a Notified Body. Note that the applicable EN 50000 series standards are identified (paragraph 9). Compulsory marking (paragraph 12) firstly identifies the equipment as explosion protected for Group II gases or vapours in a Category 1 hazardous location; secondly the Ex marking required by the standards is given.

9 Paragraph 11 reminds the user that further requirements of the Directive apply to the manufacture and supply of the equipment. Figure 4 shows a Quality Assurance Notification issued by a Notified Body. Referring to paragraph 9, note that the validity of the notification is limited to 3 years which relates to the quality system re-assessment cycle. 5. FINAL REMARKS: USE OF ATEX COMPLIANT EQUIPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA Ex apparatus certified under ATEX is already on offer in SOUTH AFRICA . During 2000, the acceptability of ATEX certificates has been taken under consideration by the Department of Labour, Department of Minerals and Energy, the SOUTH African Flameproof Association and the SABS.

10 It has been ruled that all ATEX certified apparatus will be legally acceptable, with the following additional requirements: ?Category 3 apparatus must be third-party certified; self-certified apparatus will not be accepted. Category 3 apparatus includes Zone 2 (eg Type n ) and Zone 22 (eg DIP) apparatus. Note that Zone 22 apparatus must according to the new SABS 0108 (to be published in 2001) be certified to SABS 969 or SABS IEC 61241-1-1 and must have IP65 enclosures. ?All apparatus must fully comply with the relevant EN50000 series standards, ie apparatus only certified in accordance with the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the ATEX Directive will have to be locally assessed and certified (as Ex s).


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