Mines and industries where explosive gas, vapour or dust atmospheres may form must be equipped with explosion protected electrical, electronic and mechanical equipment, ie equipment that has an acceptable low risk of creating an ignition source. Since 1950, testing of explosion protected apparatus has been conducted in South Africa by independent laboratories as required by law.
Typical aspects to be considered in such mines and industries include
- classification of potentially hazardous locations (determining the risk of creating an explosive atmosphere);
- selection of appropriate explosion protected equipment (balancing the above risk with the risk of causing an ignition and therefore an explosion); and
- inspection, maintenance and repair of explosion protected apparatus (keeping equipment in a condition that will not increase the ignition risk).
Legal requirements
Requirements for explosion protection as found in South African laws and regulations are summarised below.
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Industry: Mines |
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Regulation |
Aspect |
Standard |
Who is responsible |
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R10.1(2) (a) |
Area classification |
SANS 10108 |
Mine Management (except compulsory hazardous locations) |
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R10.1(2) (c) |
Selection of Ex equipment |
SANS 10108 |
Delegated by Plant Management to technical staff |
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R10.1(2) (b) |
Certification of Ex equipment and systems |
SANS 10108 |
Accredited Test Laboratory (ATL) |
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R10.1(2) (d), (f) |
Ex installations |
SANS 10086-1 |
Delegated by Plant Management to technical staff |
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R10.1(2) (f) |
Use, inspection and |
SANS 10086-1 |
Delegated by Plant Management to technical staff |
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R10.1(2) (e) |
Repair of Ex equipment |
SANS 10086-3 |
Accredited Repairer, or re-test by ATL |
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Industry: Surface |
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Regulation |
Aspect |
Standard |
Who is responsible |
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EIR Definition of specialized electrical installations. EMR 9(1). |
Area classification |
SANS 10108 |
Delegated by Plant Management to Technical team including specialist |
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EIR Definition of specialized electrical installations. |
Selection of Ex equipment |
SANS 10108 |
Delegated by Plant Management to technical staff |
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EIR Definition of specialized electrical installations. |
Certification of Ex equipment and systems |
ARP 0108 |
Approved Test Laboratory (ATL) |
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EIR 9(1) and definition of registered person. |
Ex installations |
SANS 10086-1 |
Delegated by Plant Management to technical staff, Certificate of Compliance must be issued by Master Installation Electrician (MIE) |
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EIR Definition of specialized electrical installations. |
Use, inspection and |
SANS 10086-1 |
Delegated by Plant Management to technical staff |
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EIR Definition of specialized electrical installations. |
Repair of Ex equipment |
SANS 10086-3 (SANS 10242-1,SANS 10227 etc.) |
Accredited Repairer, or re-test by ATL |
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EIR = Electrical Installation Regulations EMR = Electrical Machinery Regulations |
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