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IECEx TALK

A common questions asked to ATEC is;

Why should we use an IECEx Certified Service Facility

The answer should be straightforward but perhaps we need to as a perhaps rhetorical question;

How does a partner or customer know that a service provider is providing services in accordance to the requirements of IEC 60079 series Standards?

International Standards provide “agreed technical requirements” however to be effective these need to be understood and applied in a uniform or standardised manner

Publication of and knowledge of International Standards does NOT ensure standardisation on its own – so how does a partner or customer know?

In the IEC world an “Ex” Service Facility should be able to provide proof that the service it is providing in accordance to the requirements of IEC 60079 series of Standards, after all in most countries, health & safety legislation makes the employer responsible for safety of employees and the safety of work equipment

So what is your defence in the case of incidents arising from equipment defects after installation or in operation?

“We use an IECEx certified service facility”

IECEx Certified Service Facility status provides a partner or customer with confidence of capability, this is because as an IECEx Service Facility, the fcaility have been independently audited by an IECEX Certification Body to provide assurance that there is expertise, impartiality, and auditable procedures in place ensuring work is done with integrity & under scrutiny of IECEx.

The key focus is;

PEOPLE – Trained, experienced competent personnel

TECHNICAL – Have technical competency across all levels of the service being provided

QUALITY – Have a detailed quality system and procedures to underline consistency and commitment

People

Knowledge | Skill | Experience | Training

Technical

Machinery | Measurement | Calibration

Quality

Quality Management | Commitment

Take Immediate Action

ATEC are an IECEx Certified Service Facility whose staff are certified, highly skilled hazardous-area professionals who know IEC standards “inside out” and can apply them in a uniform practical manner

ATEC ensure your asset is compliant and safe whilst passing on our expertise thorough cooperation during our engagement

During Inspection & Verification programs ATEC’S detailed reporting outlines all of the tasks required to make the area compliant and safe, plus any remedial actions are identified or can be rectified as part of a very efficient strategy.

ATEC use the leading hazardous-area data systems which are capable of meeting with the current demands of any clients in any sector. These systems allow for real-time inspections and data retrieval from any location in the world using constantly developing technologies These systems allow for high levels of efficiency in initial and periodic inspection and can be utilized to allow introduction of Risk Based Inspection.

NEC Talk

A common questions asked to ATEC is;

Is there a difference between ”explosion-proof” & “flame-proof “

The answer is a definite YES!

The terms “explosion-proof” or “flame-proof” are widely used in industry to describe the same equipment however technically they are not the same!

Although they perform the same function (containment) explosion-proof is a US terminology whereby “flame-proof” is regarded as IEC.

The containment approach is one of the longest used methods to protect electrical devices installed in Hazardous Areas, simply put; they contain any explosions, within that piece of equipment and prevent any ignition source or effects of the explosion from being transmitted to the exterior, potentially hazardous surroundings

Normally installations are clearly designed to IEC or NEC requirements (simply put; is it a class or zone?) But often as assets are upgraded, we often find “old” NEC equipment replaced with IEC – likely an issue provided by an inexperienced designer, creating another series of issues for the operative.

HOW CAN ATEC HELP?

Step 1 – First we must understand the fundamental differences;

Explosion-proof

The term “explosion-proof” applies to hazardous location equipment products certified for use in the Class/Division system, in North America this classification system is used to describe the substance type and probability of release
In a Class I Division 1 location, the most common equipment protection used is explosionproof (although Intrinsically safe & pressurisation may also be acceptable)
Marking example; Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, D; T4 (XP)
Certification – to Standard UL1203 for the US and 22.2-30 for Canada

Flameproof

The term “flame-proof” applies to hazardous area equipment products certified for use in line with IEC standards, based on the Zone system.
In a zone 1, the most common equipment protection is not always flame-proof technique, with Exe (IEC 60079-7 ) having a significant impact on the modern installation base.
Marking example; Ex db IIC T4 Gb
Certification – to IEC 60079 series of standards (Part 0 & Part 1)

Summary of main testing differences;

Explosion-proof is pressure tested to 4 x safety factor compared to Flame-proof 1.5
The IEC and UL/CSA Standards differ slightly in terms of mandated flange gaps & joint width measurements)
The IEC and UL/CSA Standards require a minimum wall thickness for an enclosure (no requirement in IEC)

Step 2 – Take Immediate Action

ATEC staff are certified, highly skilled hazardous-area professionals who know the requirements “inside out” and are on hand to take away any confusion or mis-interpretation

We can ensure your asset is compliant and safe whilst passing on our expertise thorough cooperation during our engagement;

Some examples are as follows;

A Class I, Division 1 piece of equipment might be suitable to be installed in a Zone 1 area but an Ex d should not be installed in a Class I Div 1 – ATEC can advise on the documentation trails required to prove compliance in the cases.

During Inspection & Verification programs ATEC’S approved digital ICL™ functionality assures that there is expertise, impartiality, and auditable procedures in place – digital ICL™ is the only known digitized system that provides a means of proving compliance for North American certified installations (instead of the extents of the IEC inspection tables that are not wholly appropriate for ANSI equipment).