BS EN 60079-28:2015

What is BS EN 60079-28 - Optical radiation equipment protection standard about?

Optical equipment in the form of lamps, lasers, LEDs, optical fibres etc. is increasingly used for communications, surveying, sensing and measurement. In material processing, optical radiation of high irradiance is used. Where the installation is inside or close to explosive atmospheres, the radiation from such equipment may pass through these atmospheres. Depending on the characteristics of the radiation it might then be able to ignite a surrounding explosive atmosphere. The presence or absence of an additional absorber, such as particles, significantly influences the ignition.

BS EN 60079-28 specifies the requirements, testing and marking of equipment emitting optical radiation intended for use in explosive atmospheres. It also covers equipment located outside the explosive atmosphere or protected by a Type of Protection listed in IEC 60079-0, but which generates optical radiation that is intended to enter an explosive atmosphere. It covers Groups I, II and III, and EPLs Ga, Gb, Gc, Da, Db, Dc, Ma and Mb.

Note: For these scope exclusions based on enclosure constructions, it is anticipated that the enclosures are not opened in the explosive atmosphere, so that ingress is protected.

Who is BS EN 60079-28 - Optical radiation equipment protection standard for?

BS EN 60079-28, the ‘optical radiation equipment protection standard’ is useful for:

• Manufacturers of optical fibres / telecommunication equipment
• Manufacturers of lighting equipment such as lamps, lasers, and LEDs
• Concerned maintenance teams
• Product development teams
• Quality control teams
• Health and safety bodies

Why should you use BS EN 60079-28 - Optical radiation equipment protection standard?

BS EN 60079-28 applies to optical fibre equipment and optical equipment, including LED and laser equipment. BS EN 60079-28 contains requirements for optical radiation in the wavelength range from 380 nm to 10 μm. BS EN 60079-28 covers the following ignition mechanisms:

• Optical radiation is absorbed by surfaces or particles, causing them to heat up, and under certain circumstances this may allow them to attain a temperature which will ignite a surrounding explosive atmosphere
• In rare special cases, direct laser induced breakdown of the gas at the focus of a strong beam, producing plasma and a shock wave both eventually acting as ignition source. These processes can be supported by a solid material close to the breakdown point.

BS EN 60079-28 supplements and modifies the general requirements of IEC 60079-0. Where a requirement of BS EN 60079-28 conflicts with a requirement of IEC 60079-0, the requirement of BS EN 60079-28 takes precedence.

Using BS EN 60079-28 guidelines, you can test and mark equipment emitting optical radiation intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and mitigate risks such as explosions or fires. BS EN 60079-5 guidelines help you to comply with safety requirements.

What’s changed since the last update?

BS EN 60079-28:2015 supersedes BS EN 60079-28:2009. BS EN 60079-28:2015 includes some technical and editorial changes with respect to BS EN 60079-28:2009. These include:

• Radiation inside optical fibre or cable: requirements added, e.g., pull test requirement for separation element detailed regarding external influences
• Scope: expansion to include Group III and EPLs Da, Db and Dc
• Scope: clarification and list of exclusions for optical radiation sources
• Terms and definitions: Some definitions not used in the standard deleted. New definitions added.