What Is Explosion-Proof Equipment?

The term 'exproof' comes from the English words 'explosion proof'. It describes equipment suitable for use in explosive atmospheres that does not generate sparks or arcs. Equipment with explosion-protection characteristics must bear the εx mark. All electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres must have the appropriate explosion protection.

Effective insulation is one of the principal means of achieving explosion protection. Insulation performance can deteriorate because of climatic conditions, user-related factors, ageing, deformation and other influences. Explosion-proof equipment must therefore be inspected at regular intervals.

Periodic Inspection of Explosion-Proof Equipment

The Regulation Amending the Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment, published on 18 February 2022, addresses inspections of explosion-proof equipment. Article 7/A(1) states that periodic inspections of work equipment covered by the Regulation on Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres (2014/34/EU) include verification of compliance with that regulation in addition to examinations and tests.

The regulation covers equipment and protective systems designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. In addition to the equipment's normal periodic inspection, its explosion-protection characteristics must be checked separately, taking account of the TS EN 60079 and TS EN ISO 80079 series of standards.

Periodic inspections of work equipment intended for explosive atmospheres are performed by persons from the relevant disciplines under the Regulation on Health and Safety Requirements for the Use of Work Equipment. To carry out conformity checks on such equipment, inspectors must hold an internationally recognised certificate specified by the Ministry or complete the relevant module of the Ministry's advanced training programme.

This provision enters into force on 31 December 2023. No certificate is required under this provision before that date.

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