Explosion protection document

How do explosions happen?

In many companies and installations, flammable liquids and gases are produced, stored or processed. If these substances come into contact with oxygen (e.g. from the air) or another oxidising agent, they can be ignited, resulting in a fire or explosion. The easiest way to guarantee explosion safety is to ensure that flammable substances, oxygen and active ignition sources are not stored together in one place.

Process equipment and systems should be designed, tested, operated and maintained in a way that no combustible material is released. There is an explosion hazard as soon as a mixture of air and a flammable substance (in the form of gases, vapours, mists or dust) is ignited under atmospheric conditions and, after ignition, expands until all combustible material is burned. The explosion hazard can manifest in three forms:

• gas explosion hazard;
• mist explosion hazard;
• dust explosion hazard.

Depending on the circumstances, further measures are needed to make the likelihood of an explosion acceptably small. These measures can be limited to the areas – called zones – where an explosive atmosphere can occur.

Preparing an explosion safety document

Pursuant to the Working Conditions Act, the employer is obliged to pursue a policy aimed at protecting employees against the explosion hazard. The Working Conditions Decree (article 3.5 a-f) contains the provisions of the European directive 1999/92/EC (also known as ATEX 153). This contains the obligations regarding explosion hazards. The associated risks for the employee must be recorded in writing in an explosion safety document, which contains at least the following:

• Performing risk assessment including explosion risks;
• a hazard zone classification;
• appropriate technical and organisational measures;
• information for employees.

Have your explosion safety document prepared by an ATEX expert from ECH.

Contact us