93. Non-Electrical side

Non-Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Area

ISO/IEC Reference:

• Non electrical type of protection constructional safety ‘c’,
• control of ignition source ‘b’,
• liquid immersion ‘k’

These standards are being prepared by IEC Sub-Committee SC 31M

SC 31M : Non-electrical equipment and protective systems for explosive atmospheres

Scope  of SC 31M

To prepare and maintain international standards relating to non-electrical equipment and protective systems for use where there is a hazard due to the possible presence of explosive atmospheres of gases, vapours, mists or combustible dusts

Note: For the purposes of this sub-committee non-electrical equipment is defined as “equipment which can achieve its intended function mechanically”. For the purposes of this sub-committee, ‘Protective system’ is defined as devices other than components of the equipment which are intended to halt incipient explosions immediately and/or to limit the effective range of an explosion.  (IEC )

Interesting History of SC 31M (By  JIM MUNRO, CHAIRMAN, IEC COMMITTEE TC 31)

In 2007 it was jointly agreed by ISO(International Organization for Standardization) ‘s Technical Management Board  and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission )’s Standardization Management Board  to establish IEC Subcommittee SC 31M within IEC TC 31 instead of establishing a separate committee in ISO.  It was agreed that IEC SC 31M would produce IEC/ISO double logo standards as either double prefix ISO/IEC, or single prefix ISO and IEC standards.  The secretariat would be held by ISO/DIN/ in Germany.

Thus SC 31M was formed as a unique approach to joint development of standards between IEC and ISO.

The following are types of standards that can be developed by IEC SC 31M:
* ISO/IEC double logo with ISO prefix
* ISO/IEC double logo with ISO/IEC (preferred) or IEC prefix

The first double logo standard produced by SC 31M was published in April 2011.

 It is ISO/IEC 80079-34: Explosive atmospheres – Part 34: Application of quality systems for equipment manufacture

There are more new ISO/IEC double logo standards that are under active development.  Two of these are:
ISO 80079-36 Explosive atmospheres – Part 36: Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres — Basic method and requirements;

and
ISO 80079-37 Explosive atmospheres – Part 37: Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres — Non-electrical type of protection constructional safety “hc”, control of  ignition source “hb”, liquid immersion “hk”

These cover protection technique requirements relevant for non-electrical equipment.  Part 36 complements and refers to IEC 60079-0, the general requirements, and introduces ignition hazard assessment.  Part 37 introduces explosion protection techniques not covered by current standards.  It will also be possible to apply appropriate current techniques (e.g. Ex d) to non-electrical equipment.  The above standards are ISO standards because they contain requirements only relevant for non-electrical equipment.   (END)

The presently published standards are as follows:

(Source : ISO )