BS EN 1127-1 2011 Edition, “Explosive atmospheres – Explosion prevention and protection – Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology,” has just been released. It is the official English language edition of EN 1127-1:2011. The administrative process of integrating the new release with the Lists of Harmonized Standards for Directives 94/9/EC and 2006/42/EC is expected to be completed shortly.
EN 1127-1 specifies general design and construction methods to help designers and manufacturers in achieving explosion safety in the design of equipment, protective systems and components at all stages of its use. It is applicable to any equipment, protective systems and components intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres, under atmospheric conditions. These atmospheres can arise from flammable materials processed, used or released by the equipment, protective systems and components or from materials in the vicinity of the equipment, protective systems and components and/or from the materials of construction of the equipment, protective systems and components.
The standard specifies methods for the identification and assessment of hazardous situations leading to explosion and the design and construction measures appropriate for the required safety. This is achieved by risk assessment and risk reduction.
The safety of equipment, protective systems and components can be achieved by eliminating hazards and/or limiting the risk by using a) appropriate design (without using safeguarding); b) safeguarding; c) information for use; d) any other preventive measures.
Measures in accordance with a) (prevention) and b) (protection) against explosions are dealt with in Clause 6, measures according to c) against explosions are dealt with in Clause 7. Measures in accordance with d) are not specified in this European Standard. They are dealt with in EN ISO 12100:2010, Clause 6.
The preventive and protective measures described in EN 1127-1 will not provide the required level of safety unless the equipment, protective systems and components are operated within their intended use and are installed and maintained according to the relevant codes of practice or requirements.
The new BS EN 1127-1:2011 and all BS publications are available from Document Center Inc. through our website, www.document-center.com. Or if you prefer, you can contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). The various publications for the EN standards can cause confusion. If you have any questions about what publications you should be using, please contact us.