Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No. 85 of 1993)

Code of Practice

National Code of Practice for Electrical Machinery in Hazardous Locations

Regulatory requirements for explosion-protected apparatus

3. Definitions and abbreviations

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For the purposes of this document, the definitions given in SANS 10108 and the following apply.

 

3.1Definitions

 

3.1.1acceptable

acceptable to the relevant national regulator or regulators

 

3.1.2accredited test laboratory ATL

test laboratory that is accredited by a government-endorsed accreditation body (see foreword), and approved by the relevant regulator(s) to carry out tests specified in the appropriate standards and to issue certificates (known as IA certificates) for explosion-protected apparatus (EPA) indicating that such apparatus complies with safety requirements and any other requirements of the relevant regulator(s)

 

3.1.3approved

approved by the relevant national regulator

 

3.1.4approved certification body

certification body whose IA certificates are accepted by the relevant national regulator or regulators

 

3.1.5approved standard

standard approved by the regulator in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Act 85 of 1993.

 

3.1.6batch

not more than 300 units of apparatus, for example, basic explosion-protected engines or components of such engines,of the same type and size, from one supplier or repairer and submitted at any one time for assessment and testing, in accordance with SANS 96

 

3.1.7batch testing

testing conducted by an ATL on a batch of apparatus of type tested and certified design, to verify compliance with this recommended practice

 

3.1.8declaration of conformance DOC

document supplied by a manufacturer or a repairer that is a member of a mark scheme, declaring that the equipment covered by the declaration has been manufactured or repaired in accordance with the requirements of the mark scheme

 

3.1.9equipment protection level EPL

level of protection assigned to equipment based on its likelihood of becoming a source of ignition between explosive gas atmospheres,explosive dust atmospheres, and the explosive atmospheres in mines susceptible to firedamp

 

NOTE  The equipment protection level may optionally be employed as part of a complete risk assessment of an installation (see SANS 60079-14).

 

3.1.9.1EPL Da

equipment for explosive dust atmospheres, having a "very high"level of protection, and which is not a source of ignition in normal operation, during expected malfunctions, or during rare malfunctions

 

3.1.9.2EPL Db

equipment for explosive dust atmospheres,having a "high" level of protection, and which is not a source of ignition in normal operation or during expected malfunctions

 

3.1.9.3EPL Dc

equipment for explosive dust atmospheres, having an "enhanced" level of protection, which is not a source of ignition in normal operation, and which may have some additional protection to ensure that it remains inactive as an ignition source in the case of regular expected occurrences (for example, the failure of a lamp)

 

3.1.9.4EPL Ga

equipment for explosive gas atmospheres, having a "very high" level of protection, and which is not a source of ignition in normal operation, during expected malfunctions or during rare malfunctions

 

3.1.9.5EPL Gb

equipment for explosive gas atmospheres, having a "high"level of protection, and which is not a source of ignition in normal operation or during expected malfunctions

 

3.1.9.6EPL Gc

equipment for explosive gas atmospheres, having an "enhanced" level of protection, which is not a source of ignition in normal operation, and which may have some additional protection to ensure that it remains inactive as an ignition source in the case of regular expected occurrences (for example, the failure of a lamp)

 

3.1.9.7EPL Ma

equipment for installation in a mine susceptible to firedamp, having a"very high" level of protection, which has sufficient security that it is unlikely to become an ignition source in normal operation, during expected malfunctions or during rare malfunctions, even when left energized in the presence of an outbreak of gas

 

3.1.9.8EPL Mb

equipment for installation in a mine susceptible to firedamp, having a "high" level of protection, which has sufficient security that it is unlikely to become a source of ignition in normal operation or during expected malfunctions in the time span between there being an outbreak of gas and the equipment being de-energized

 

3.1.10explosion-protected (Ex) equipment EPA

explosion-protected (Ex) apparatus

equipment designed and approved for use in explosive atmospheres (hazardous  areas) in accordance with a suitable protection method

 

NOTE 1  In IEC standards, the term "equipment for (use in) explosive atmospheres" is preferred."Equipment" is used as a general term including apparatus, fittings, devices, components, and the like.

 

NOTE 2  Most current explosion protection techniques apply to electrical equipment, but standards are being developed for mechanical Ex equipment. The SANS 868 series applies to flameproof compression-ignition engines (diesel engines).

 

3.1.10.1group I equipment

electrical equipment intended for use in mines susceptible to firedamp

 

NOTE 1  The types of protection for Group I take into account the ignition of both firedamp and coal dust along with enhanced physical protection for equipment used underground.

 

NOTE 2  Electrical equipment intended for mines where the atmosphere, in addition to firedamp, may contain significant proportions of other flammable gases (i.e. other than methane), should be constructed and tested in accordance with the requirements relating to Group I and also to the subdivision of Group II corresponding to the other significant flammable gases.This electrical equipment should then be marked appropriately (for example,"Ex d I/IIB T3" or "Ex d I/II (NH3)").

 

3.1.10.2group II equipment

electrical equipment intended for use in places with an explosive gas atmosphere other than mines susceptible to firedamp

 

NOTE 1  Electrical equipment of Group II is subdivided according to the nature of the explosive gas atmosphere for which it is intended. Group II subdivisions are as follows:

(a)IIA: a typical gas is propane;
(b)IIB: a typical gas is ethylene;and
(c)IIC: a typical gas is hydrogen.

 

NOTE 2  Equipment marked IIB is suitable for applications requiring Group IIA equipment. Similarly, equipment marked IIC is suitable for applications requiring Group IIA or Group IIB equipment.

 

3.1.10.3group III equipment

electrical equipment intended for use in places with an explosive dust atmosphere other than mines susceptible to firedamp

 

NOTE 1  Electrical equipment of Group III is subdivided according to the nature of the explosive dust atmosphere for which it is intended. Group III subdivisions are as follows:

(a)IIIA: combustible flyings;
(b)IIIB: non-conductive dust; and
(c)IIIC: conductive dust.

 

NOTE 2  Equipment marked IIIB is suitable for applications requiring Group IIIA equipment. Similarly, equipment marked IIIC is suitable for applications requiring Group IIIA or Group IIIB equipment.

 

3.1.11explosive atmosphere

air, under atmospheric conditions, mixed with flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour, mist, dust, fibres, or flyings which, after ignition, permits self-sustaining propagation

 

3.1.12hazardous location

hazardous area

area in which an explosive gas atmosphere, or an explosive dust atmosphere, or an explosive gas/dust atmosphere is, or may be expected to be present, in quantities such as to require special precautions for the construction, installation and use of equipment

 

NOTE  For information on hazardous areas in specific industries, see SANS 10108.

 

3.1.13IA (Inspection Authority) certificate

type certificate

national certificate issued for Ex equipment by an ATL endorsing conformance with the relevant national standards

 

NOTE 1  IA certificates apply to both surface (Group II and Group III) and mining (Group I) applications.

 

NOTE 2  The entity who submits the equipment for testing, and in whose name the certificate is issued is described as the "certificate holder", while the issuing ATL is the legal owner of the certificate and may use the information in the public domain.

 

3.1.14IA certificate holder

entity to whom the IA certificate is issued

 

3.1.15maintenance

routine actions taken to preserve the fully serviceable condition of the installed apparatus

 

NOTE  "Routine" can include minor repairs in the form of change or replacement "in kind", for example, replacement of ballasts or lamps, which are identical to the original parts.

 

3.1.16notified body

body that carries out the tasks pertaining to the conformity assessment procedures referred to in the applicable ATEX Directive of the European Community when third party certification is required

 

NOTE  In European countries where the ATEX Directive applies, member countries are responsible for identifying the notified bodies.

 

3.1.17product certification scheme

mark scheme

scheme that aims to ensure that a product covered under the scheme,and that bears the certification mark of the scheme,complies with the defined standard or standards,by using control elements such as surveillance audits and production sample assessments

 

3.1.18regulator

means the Department of Employment and Labour

 

3.1.19repair

action taken to restore a faulty apparatus to its fully serviceable condition, and in compliance with the relevant standard

 

NOTE 1  The "relevant standard" means the explosion protection standard to which the apparatus was originally designed or a more recent version.

 

NOTE 2  Minor repairs carried out on the user's premises by maintenance staff are considered to be maintenance.

 

3.1.20safe electrical system

 

3.1.20.1certified Intrinsically safe electrical system

intrinsically safe electrical system for which a certificate has been issued confirming that the electrical system complies with the relevant system standard

 

NOTE  SANS 60079 25 is such a system standard.

 

3.1.20.2intrinsically safe electrical system

intrinsically safe loop

assembly of interconnected items of electrical apparatus, described in a descriptive system document, in which the circuits or parts of circuits, intended to be used in an explosive atmosphere, are intrinsically safe circuits

 

3.1.21special IA certificate

special type certificate

certificate issued by an ATL for Ex equipment submitted for repair or refurbishment and which has no IA certificate but for which proof of Ex certification exists to endorse conformance with the most critical requirements of relevant national standard(s), and which has a certificate number ending with "S"

 

3.1.22type testing

assessments and tests conducted on prototype apparatus by an ATL to verify compliance of the apparatus design and performance with the applicable standard(s), and the results of which are normally published in a type test report confidential to the certificate holder and issuing ATL

 

3.1.23typical loop

system in which the equipment (including cabling), type, explosion protection rating and certification) has not been changed and the loop or an additional loop is required to be installed in another location in the existing plant

 

3.2 Abbreviations

 

ANZEx (Scheme)

Australian and New Zealand explosion protection scheme

ATL

Accredited Test Laboratory

BASEEFA

British Approvals Service for Electrical Equipment in Flammable Atmospheres

BVS

Bergbau-Versuchsstrecke

CENELEC

Comité Européen de Normalisation Électrotechnique

CESI

Centro Elettrotecnico Sperimentale Italiano

CSA

Canadian Standards Association

DEMKO

Danmarks Elektriske Materielkontrol

DIP

Dust-Ignition-Proof or Dust-Ignition-Protected

DMT

Deutsche Montan Technologie

IA

Inspection Authority

IS

Intrinsic safety or intrinsically safe (alternative to "Ex i")

EPA

Explosion-protected apparatus

FM

Factory Mutual Research Corporation

IECEx

International Electrotechnical Commission explosion protection System

ILAC

International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation

ISA

International Society of Automation

INERIS

lnstitut National de l'Environnement lndustriel et des Risques

ISSeP

lnstitut Scientifique de Service Public

LCIE

Laboratoire Central des Industries Electriques

LOM

Laboratório Oficial José Maria de Madariaga

MASC

Mining and Surface Certification

NEMKO

Norges Elektriske Materiellkontroll

NFPA

National Fire Protection Association

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer

PTB

Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt

SAEx

South African Explosion Prevention

SCS (previously Sira)

Sira Certification Service

SIMTARS

Safety in Mines Testing and Research Station

SP

Sveriges Provnings

TÜV

Technischer Überwachungsverein

UL

Underwriters'  Laboratories