The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2017 No. 90

SCHEDULE 1 N.I. ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF EQUIPMENT N.I.

Requirements applicable to equipment in category 1 of equipment-group II N.I.

Explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours or mists N.I.

32.—(1) Equipment shall be so designed and constructed that sources of ignition do not become active, even in event of rare incidents relating to equipment.

(2) It shall be equipped with means of protection such that—

(a) either, in the event of failure of one means of protection, at least an independent second means provides the requisite level of protection; or

(b) the requisite level of protection is ensured in the event of two faults occurring independently of each other.

(3) For equipment with surfaces which may heat up, measures shall be taken to ensure that the stated maximum surface temperatures are not exceeded even in the most unfavourable circumstances.

(4) Temperature rises caused by heat build-ups and chemical reactions shall also be taken into account.

(5) Equipment shall be so designed that the opening of equipment parts which might be sources of ignition is possible only under non-active or intrinsically safe conditions. Where it is not possible to render equipment non-active, the manufacturer shall affix a warning label to the opening part of the equipment.

(6) If necessary, equipment shall be fitted with appropriate additional interlocking systems.

Explosive atmospheres caused by air and dust mixtures N.I.

33.—(1) Equipment shall be so designed and constructed that ignition of air and dust mixtures does not occur even in the event of rare incidents relating to equipment.

(2) It shall be equipped with means of protection such that—

(a) either, in the event of failure of one means of protection, at least an independent second means provides the requisite level of protection; or

(b) the requisite level of protection is ensured in the event of two faults occurring independently of each other.

(3) Where necessary, equipment shall be so designed that dust can enter or escape from the equipment only at specifically designated points.

(4) The requirement in sub-paragraph (3) shall also be met by cable entries and connecting pieces.

(5) The surface temperatures of equipment parts shall be kept well below the ignition temperature of the foreseeable air and dust mixtures in order to prevent the ignition of suspended dust.

(6) With regard to the safe opening of equipment parts, sub-paragraph 32(5) applies.