BS EN ISO 80079-37:2016

What is BS EN ISO 80079-37 - Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres about?

This new part of the BS EN 80079 series provides requirements for non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres.

Who is BS EN ISO 80079-37 - Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres for?

It’s relevant to all professionals working with non-electrical equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres, namely:

• Mechanical engineers
• Site inspectors
• Manufacturers of mechanical equipment for explosive environments
• Manufacturers of components for mechanical equipment
• Regulatory bodies
• Occupational health and safety officers

It will also be used in industries which operate in potentially explosive atmospheres (dealing with gases, vapours and dusts):

• Underground mining
• Oil and gas production and processing plants; onshore and offshore platforms
• Oil and gas tankers, drilling ships
• Oil refineries
• Petrochemical and chemical processing plants
• Gas pipelines and distribution centres
• Refuelling stations or petrol stations
• Printing industries, paper and textiles
• Surface coating industries
• Sewerage treatment plants
• Testing sites

BS EN ISO 80079-37 is also an important standard for those who bought BS EN 13463-1:2009; several standards in the BS EN 60079 series, BS EN ISO 80079-36 and BS EN ISO 80079-38.

Why should you use BS EN ISO 80079-37 - Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres? 

It specifies requirements for the design and construction of non-electrical equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres and protected by the following types of protection:

• Constructional safety “c”
• Control of ignition source “b” 
• Liquid immersion “k”

This standard applies to non-electrical equipment such as: couplings, pumps, gearboxes, brakes, hydraulic and pneumatic motors and any combination of devices to realize a machine, fan, engine, compressor, assemblies, etc.

These types of ignition protection can be used on their own or in combination to meet the requirements for equipment of Group I, Group II, and Group III (depending on the ignition hazard assessment set out in BS EN ISO 80079-36). 

NOTE 1: BS EN 80079-37:2016 supplements and modifies requirements in BS EN 80079-36. Where it conflicts with BS EN 80079-36, this standard takes precedence.

NOTE 2: This standard supplies a means of conforming to essential requirements of 2014/34/EU.

What’s changed since the last update?

This standard supersedes BS EN 13463-5:2011, BS EN 13463-6:2005 and BS EN 13463-8:2003 which are withdrawn. Minor and formal changes and extensions have been made. These are listed in Annex ZB. They include:

• Introduction of new definitions and slight redefinitions concerning ignition sources to improve ignition hazard assessment
• Differentiation in requirements for ingress prevention for dust and liquids
• Changing of wording regarding information for instructions
• New reference regarding electrostatic requirements
• Editorial modifications for clarity
• Introduction of new definitions for marking