Use of barrier glands in potentially explosive atmospheres

Cause & Consequence

• Other

Other Cause & Consequence

Difference between barrier gland standards

Contributing Factor

• Control of work

Description of Process

There is a difference between the current IEC 60079-14: 2013 Standard and previous versions of BS EN 60079-14:2018 and IEC 60079-14:2007 for using electrical equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Description of Incident

There is a difference between the current IEC 60079-14: 2013 Standard and previous versions of BS EN 60079-14:2018 and IEC 60079-14:2007 for using electrical equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. The IEC Standard allows the Duty Holder to use a 'standard' Ex certified flameproof gland, as opposed to a Ex certified 'barrier gland', without the requirement to apply the previous flowchart used in the British Standard which identified glanding requirements based on gas group/zone/enclosure size.

There is evidence that this approach creates a fire and explosion risk, and this Notice provides Duty Holders with information on what action to take.

For more information, read the HSE safety alert online.

Good Practice Guidance

HSE recognises the risks identified by the BSI Technical Committee and also has further third party evidence that supports the BSI's conclusions.

In order to ensure this risk is suitably controlled, the HSE has defined the 'Informative' National Annex of BS EN 60079-14: 2014 as an 'Established Standard', as it is considered to be a "published commonly known standard of performance interpreted by HSE as a level of performance needed to meet a general or qualified duty under health and safety."

Duty Holders should therefore apply the Informative National Annex of BS EN 60079-14:2014 as Relevant Good Practice when assessing the requirements for fitting a barrier gland to electrical equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres.

For more information, read the HSE Safety Alert online.