BS EN 60079-32-2:2015

What is BS EN 60079-32-2 - Electrostatic hazards test standard about?  

Safety is a prime concern around flammable vapours or gases. Static electricity can cause two main problems in industrial processes. Firstly, where flammable vapours, gases or dust clouds are present, static electricity can provide an unexpected ignition source and cause a fire or explosion. Secondly, static electricity build-up on personnel, equipment or materials can give unpleasant electrostatic shocks to personnel working in the area. While these shocks are rarely in themselves injurious, they can cause inadvertent reactions that may cause accidents or injury. 

BS EN 60079-32-2 describes test methods concerning the equipment, product and process properties necessary to avoid ignition and electrostatic shock hazards arising from static electricity. It is intended for use in a risk assessment of electrostatic hazards or for the preparation of product family or dedicated product standards for electrical or non-electrical machines or equipment.  

Note:  BS EN 60079-32-2 is not intended to supersede standards that cover specific products and industrial situations. 

Who is BS EN 60079-32-2 - Electrostatics hazards test standard for? 

BS EN 60079-32-2 on EA electrostatics hazards test standards is useful for: 

• Manufacturers of electrostatic shielding equipment 
• Operators in high voltage areas 
• Operators of mines and refineries 
• Concerned maintenance teams 
• Product development teams 
• Quality control teams 
• Health and safety bodies 

Why should you use BS EN 60079-32-2 - Electrostatics hazards test standard?  

The purpose of BS EN 60079-32-2 is to provide standard test methods used for the control of static electricity, such as surface resistance, earth leakage resistance, powder resistivity, liquid conductivity, capacitance and evaluation of the incendivity of provoked discharges. BS EN 60079-32-2 is especially intended for use with existing standards of the IEC 60079 series.  

BS EN 60079-32-2 is applicable for oxygen measurement for the purpose of inertisation where explosion protection is provided by the exclusion of oxygen instead of measuring the flammable gases or vapours present. A similar application is measuring oxygen when inertising a goaf (mined out) area in an underground coal mine. 

Using BS EN 60079-32-2 guidelines, you can test for electrostatic hazards in explosive atmospheres and mitigate risks. BS EN 60079-5-32-2 guidelines help you to comply with safety requirements.