Explosive Atmospheres: Equipment Testing

Testing an explosion isolation device

In the words of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Section 6(1):- It shall be the duty of any person who designs, manufactures, imports or supplies any article for use at work

• to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the article is so designed and constructed as to be safe and without risks to health when properly used;
• to carry out or arrange for the carrying out of such testing and examination as may be necessary for the performance of the duty imposed by the preceding paragraphs.

Safety legislation and regulations require that equipment designed for us in areas where there is the potential for an explosive atmosphere should be safe under its proposed condition in use.



The ATEX Directive
The ATEX Directive 94/9/EC requires that all equipment and protective systems for intended use in potentially explosive atmospheres within the European Community bear the CE marking by July 2003. Manufacturers will bear the responsibility for:

• the design and construction of the equipment in accordance with the health and safety requirements laid down in the Directive:
• following the procedures for certifying that the equipment conforms with the health and safety requirements laid down in the Directive.

All this places a responsibility on equipment manufacturers, particularly as safety standards, design methods for protective systems and regulatory requirements are changing and developing at an ever-increasing pace.

The Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) as an Agency of the Health and Safety Executive is recognised internationally as a centre of expertise on industrial hazards from fire and explosions.

In association with the Health and Safety Executive, HSL is involved in the development of Standards under the ATEX Directive and other safety regulations in this field. In cooperation with industry, it has provided data for the design and construction of explosion protected equipment in explosive atmospheres.

Our technical, safety and regulatory expertise is available to assist industry in meeting responsibilities in respect of the safety of equipment and its suitability for use in flammable atmospheres.

Equipment Assessment Service for Industry

HSL can offer:
• Assessments of whether the design and construction of equipment and its protection devices meet the latest technical requirements and design standards.

• Checks to ensure that the equipment and its protective systems satisfy UK and ATEX requirements.

• Where appropriate, in collaboration with a UK Notified Body, certification that the equipment meets fully the ATEX requirements, with a declaration of conformity and the CE marking.

Equipment assessments will be at the level required by the manufacturer, for example

• Paper studies based on engineering drawing and manufacturer's calculations to assess equipment and protective systems against the latest technical standards (e.g. assessment of an explosion venting specification).

• Tests to check the effectiveness of a particular component (e.g. the effectiveness of an explosion isolation device, the effectiveness of venting devices, the ability to vessels to contain an explosion).

• Explosion tests on a complete unit to assess the equipment and its ability to withstand explosions (e.g. explosion venting or suppression trails on a specific item of plant).

• Full assessment as required to meet the ATEX requirements.

The benefits to you of using HSL
• Where appropriate, the equipment will be assessed as conforming to the ATEX Directive by a UK Notified Body.

• European wide acceptance of your equipment.

• A tailored programme of work planned to meet the 2003 ATEX deadline.

Further Details
Contact our Business Development Group by telephone (+44) 01298 218218, fax (+44) 01298 218822 or email hslinfo@hsl.gov.uk.

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