Selection, installation, inspection and maintenance of hazardous area systems and equipment.

DSEAR, Regulation 6: section 8 (schedule 1), states the employer shall, so far as reasonably practicable, take the general safety measures specified in Schedule 1.

Briefly this means.

Designing, constructing, assembling / installing and maintaining equipment and processes so as to reduce risk.
The most effective way to establish the status of any equipment (electrical and non-electrical) within hazardous areas is to carry out inspections.

Electrical equipment in accordance with BS EN 60079-17; 2003.

This standard describes three grades of inspection i.e.

• Visual, Inspection which identifies, without the use of access equipment or tools, those defects, such as missing bolts, which will be apparent to the eye.
• Close, Inspection which encompasses those aspects covered by a visual inspection and, in addition, identifies those defects, such as loose bolts, which will be apparent only by the use of access equipment, for example steps, (where necessary), and tools.
• Detailed, Inspection which encompasses those aspects covered by a close inspection and, in addition, identifies those defects, such as loose terminations, which will only be apparent by opening the enclosure, and / or using, where necessary, tools and test equipment.

The standard also suggests periods in which the cycle of inspections should be carried out however, as no two are plants identical these periods are entirely site specific and should be based on the outcome of an appropriate risk assessment which must be justifiable and recorded.

Non-Electrical equipment in accordance with BS EN 13463 standard series and EN 1127.

New non-electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres must comply with the directives and regulations. Equipment in use prior to the introduction of the directives must be subject to a suitable risk assessment to establish its suitability regarding potentially effective ignition sources.

Records of inspection results and maintenance activities should be kept as documentary evidence that equipment is suitable and fit for purpose.

How F.E.S. (EX) Ltd can help.

F.E.S. (EX) Ltd has a team of experienced personnel with proven engineering skills in the field  of potentially explosive atmospheres, including selection, installation, inspection and maintenance of hazardous area systems and equipment