Legislation concerning the risk of explosion
In the field of explosion protection harmonized European legilation is valid. This legislation has two levels. The top level
which is obligatory in all European union countries (and is also accepted by some other countries with close bussines contacts with EU)
is so called Directive ATEX (coming from French Atmosphére Explosif). It is the same like PED legislation for pressurized vessels,
EMC for electromagnetic compatibility and so on.
Second, lower level consists of harmonized technical standards concerning the risk of explosion, design of devices
for the explosive atmospheres (Ex approved devices), electric installations, safety devices and systems, explosion protective systems
and so on.
ATEX legislation consists of two key directives: 94/9/EC - (aka ATEX 100 or ATEX 100a) and 99/92/EC (ATEX 137). Every member state of the European union accepted these directives and incorporated them in their legislation as laws. State governments had right to tighten them, but it was not allowed to soften their effects.
94/9/EC - ATEX 100
The aim of this legislation is to set the same minimal level of safety of devices and protective systems designed for potentially explosive atmosphere. It defines the duties for manufacturers and responsible contractors of these devices. They must ensure they fill all the requirements for their products before placing them on market and issue correct EC Declaration of conformity, including correct marking and proper functionality.99/92/EC - ATEX 137
The aim of this directive is to set the same minimal level of labor safety in all members states of EU. To fill this goal, the directive defines the duties for employers who must fill this level of safety for their employees. The result is elaborating so called Explosion Protection Document - EPD, lead it in actual form and especially realize the technical and preventive measures to minimize the risk or effects of explosions.You can download both directives in PDF:
European Directive 94/9/EC-ATEX 100 (.PDF, 3.62 MB)
European Directive 99/92/EC-ATEX 137 (.PDF, 140 kB)
List of other important technical standards concerning the risk of explosion
Note: this list is not perfectly complete, because there are some standards which touchs the risk of explosion only briefly. Also, there are not mentioned all standards for electric equipment, only the basic level of them
List is sorted by the number of the standard.
EN 1050 - Safety of machinery. Principles for risk assessment.
EN 1127-1 - Explosive atmospheres — Explosion prevention and protection — Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology.
EN 12 874 - Flame Arresters - Performance Requirements, Test Methods and Limits for Use.
EN 13 463 - Non-electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres Part 1: Basic method and requirements.
EN 13 980 - Potentially explosive atmospheres. Application of quality systems.
EN 14 373 - Explosion suppression systems.
EN 14 460 - Explosion Resistant Equipment.
EN 14 491 - Dust explosion venting protective systems.
EN 14 494 - Gas explosion venting protective systems.
EN 14 756 - Determination of the limiting oxygen concentration (LOC) for flammable gases and vapours.
EN 14 797 - Explosion venting devices.
EN 50 177 - Stationary electrostatic application equipment for ignitable coating powder - Safety requirements.
EN 50 272-2 - Safety requirements for secondary batteries and battery installations.
EN 60 079 - Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres.
EN 61 241 - Electrical apparatus for use in the presence of combustible dust. General requirements.
EN 61 508 - Functional Safety of Electrical/Electronic/Programmable Electronic Safety-Related Systems.
IEC 79-20 - Data for flammable gases and vapours relating to the use of electrical apparatus.
North American standard NFPA 69:92 - Explosion prevention systems
prepared European standard prEN 15089 - Explosion Isolation Systems
German standard VDI 3673 - Pressure venting of dust explosion