Documentation & Certifications

IEC 60079-14 gives us an over-view of the necessity & importance of the process of documentations for Hazardous Area Installations.

By documentation we mean the material in Printed or digital form consisting of:

•  Written Papers
• Drawings & Plans
• Standard-operating-procedures
• Maintenance Manuals
• Certificates
• Warranties
• Specifications

IEC has referred to this complete set as VERIFICATION DOSSIER.

This VERIFICATION DOSSIER is to be kept safe in a reachable and accessible location.

What is to be inside the VERIFICATION DOSSIER? (Minimum requirement  )

(It is understood that the following information is IN ADDITION to that required for NON-HAZARDOUS AREA)

1. Area classification Documents
2. Optional Consequences of Ignition

To go one step further than the ZONE identification and consider the Equipment Protection Levels .Using the following table :-

If the EPLs are already identified then this should act as guidelines for equipment selection 

An experienced Ex expert , as an alternative method , may determine the EPLs on the basis of RISK leading to HIGHER or LOWER EPLs than the ones as defined in the Table above.

3. Detailed Instructions of Erection /Installation

4. Instructions for the use of all such equipment with Ex Certificates having the suffix ‘X’.

“If the sign “X“ is placed after the certificate number, it indicates special conditions for safe use of the component specified in the schedule to this certificate.”

Example:

 PTB 00 ATEX 3119 X 

Component : (Non- Metallic) Cable Gland Types 8161/5 and 8161/6    (Reference : R.Stahl )

It is obvious that a component like a CABLE GLAND although certified will not provide the Ex Protection by itself . It is effective only  if  installed properly following the installation guidelines, exclusive for that equipment.

Interestingly the certificate for the BREATHING GLAND for Ex e (increased safety ) enclosures does not have the suffix ‘X’. Obviously the Breather is complete in itself and requires just fixing in the Ex e Enclosure .

Ex e Breather for Ex e Enclosure

 Ex d Drain & Breather Valve

Very Interestingly the Certificate for this Ex d Drain & Breather valve is with suffix ‘U’.  (See  certificate No. IECEx TSA 07.0053 U )

(More on condensation & Breather Gland )

5. Separate documents which completely describe the intrinsic safety systems 

6. Representative from manufacturer or Installer with Certificate of Qualification.

7. Necessary information required for installation by the representative (Reference : Point No. 6 )

8. Details of any calculations relevant to the installation.

9. Repair Manuals 

10. Data Sheets of equipment  & materials

11. Wiring Diagrams

12. Cable layout Details and route markings 

Certificates (Examples)

Certificate as per Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) 

The certificate Number = PTB 06 ATEX 1023 U 

The Letter U indicates that this is an incomplete certificate in itself  (Because it is for an empty enclosure) and it is termed as a COMPONENT Certificate and require a CERTIFICATE for a complete assembly. (See para.10 below )

Another Example

Certificate as per Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) 

The certificate Number = PTB 00 ATEX 3119 X 

The Letter X indicates that special conditions are to be followed for safe use of this component. All these special conditions are completely described in the enclosed Schedule . (See para.10 below  and part of the Schedule )

SCHEDULE (special conditions which are to be followed for safe use )

Process of Certification