Directive 99/92/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, called ATEX 153, was published on April 30, 2013 as "Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Dangers of Explosive Environments" in our country.  Republished on. In ATEX 153, the general definition of Zones is made and it is left to the employer to determine which zones enter the hazardous areas in a facility.

​

The European Parliament and Council Directive 2014/34/EU, known as ATEX 114, which contains details about equipment that can be used in explosive atmospheres, has been transferred to our legislation as "Regulation on Equipment and Protective Systems Used in Possible Explosive Environments". According to this regulation, protective equipment and workplace occupational health and safety measures are described, but in order to apply the measures in these regulations, the explosive atmosphere classification specified in ATEX 153 must be made first.

​

WHAT IS EXPLOSION PROTECTION DOCUMENT? WHY PREPARE?

​

Explosion Protection Document is a document that evaluates the risks of explosive atmosphere formation in a facility and specifies the precautions to be taken and application methods. This document ensures the safety of employees and the continuity of facilities.

 

It increases both compliance with occupational safety standards and operational efficiency by standardizing working methods in areas at risk of explosion due to flammable chemicals. Importance of Standards: PKD preparation in accordance with standards in different facilities and industries guarantees consistency of risk assessments and measures to be taken. This contributes to the adoption of safe working methods in explosion-risk areas.

 

In accordance with the "Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Dangers of Explosive Environments" published in the Official Gazette dated 30.04.2013 and numbered 28633, workplaces at risk of explosive atmospheres have the responsibility of preparing an "Explosion Protection Document" (PKD). Within the framework of this regulation; Explosive zone calculations must be made in every region where flammable and combustible chemicals are used.

​

WHAT INFORMATION AND CALCULATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE EXPLOSION PROTECTION DOCUMENT?

​

• Preparation of the Classification Table of Chemicals Used: A classification table is created to determine whether chemicals used in the workplace pose an explosion risk. This table contains the properties of chemicals (explosion class, flammable properties, toxicity, etc.). ​

 

• Application of EN 60079-10-2:2015 and CEI 31-56 for Dusty Environments: For areas with risk of explosion in dusty environments, precautions are taken in accordance with EN 60079-10-2:2015 and CEI 31-56 standards. These standards are used to evaluate the explosion potential of dust. ​

 

• Detecting Discharge Sources by Visiting the Areas and Marking them on the Settlement Plans: Areas at the workplace are inspected and potential sources of release (e.g. pipes, valves, storage tanks) are identified. These resources are marked on the layout plans. ​

 

• Calculation of Zones for Gas and Liquid Vapors According to EN 60079-10-1:2021 and EN 62485-2 Standard: Explosion risk calculations are made for gas and liquid vapors. Zone classification is made according to EN 60079-10-1:2021 and EN 62485-2 standards. ​

 

• Drawing Zone Maps: Zone maps provide visual mapping of explosion risk areas in the workplace. These maps show which precautions employees should take in which regions. ​

 

• Creating Fire and Explosion Models Using BREEZE INCIDENT Software for Tank and Piping Systems: Fire and explosion models are created for tanks and piping systems using software such as BREEZE INCIDENT Software. These models analyze the effects resulting from explosion (e.g. TNT equivalent explosion index, thermal radiation). ​

 

• Explosive Environment Risk Assessment: The risk of explosion must be specifically evaluated in the content of the explosion protection document. The following points should be taken into account in the assessment of special risks arising from explosive atmospheres. Possibility of formation of an explosive atmosphere and the permanence of this environment, The possibility of ignition sources, including static electricity, being present and becoming active and effective, The facility in the workplace, the materials used, processes and their possible interactions, The magnitude of the possible explosion effect ​

 

• FMEA Analysis: The risk of explosion in the workplace is evaluated taking into account all factors. This helps determine the overall safety level of the workplace.

• Although various methods are used in the assessment of explosion risks, a risk assessment should be carried out by businesses in which the measures to be taken are specified after the determination of the dangerous zones formed as a result of the calculations made.

• In this context, one of the most detailed and appropriate methods is FMEA (Possible Error Mode and Effects) analysis.

• FMEA risk assessment method is a powerful analysis technique to prevent errors by estimating risks. In the FMEA study, possible errors are identified and their effects, probability of occurrence and detectability are determined. ​

 

• Ignition Analysis (EN 1127-1): Ignition analysis risk assessment in explosive environments is carried out based on the main ignition sources, which are also stated in EN 1127-1 2011 Explosive environments - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology standard.

• When performing a risk assessment in environments where there is a risk of dust explosion, the ignition properties of the explosive substance in the environment must first be determined.

• After the ignition properties of the flammable material are determined, the possibilities of finding and becoming effective ignition sources in the environment should be determined.

• 13 possible ignition sources are identified in the TS EN 1127-1: 2012 standard:

  • 1. Hot surfaces

  • 2. Flames and hot gases (including hot particles)

  • 3. Mechanically generated sparks

  • 4. Electrical devices

  • 5. Uncontrolled electrical currents and cathodic corrosion protection

  • 6. Static electricity

  • 7. Lightning

  • 8. Radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves (from 104 Hz to 3x1011 Hz)

  • 9. Electromagnetic waves (from 3x1011 Hz to 3x1015 Hz)

  • 10. Ionizing radiation

  • 11. Ultrasonic sound waves

  • 12. Adiabatic compression and shock waves

  • 13. Exothermic reactions (including spontaneous ignition of powders) ​

​

Listing of Ex-proof Electrical Equipment after Creating Zone Maps and Evaluating the Suitability of Ex Categories to the Calculated Zones: After the Zone maps are created, the electrical equipment (e.g. Exproof devices) used in the workplace are listed and their suitability for the calculated Zones is evaluated. This ensures the safety of equipment used in explosion-risk areas. ​ Preparation of Explosion Protection Document: Explosion Protection Document (PKD) containing all this information is prepared. This document contains the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of employees.

​

​

• Listing of Ex-proof Electrical Equipment after Creating Zone Maps and Evaluating the Suitability of Ex Categories to the Calculated Zones: After the Zone maps are created, the electrical equipment (e.g. Exproof devices) used in the workplace are listed and their suitability for the calculated Zones is evaluated. This ensures the safety of equipment used in explosion-risk areas.

​

• Preparation of Explosion Protection Document: Explosion Protection Document (PKD) containing all this information is prepared. This document contains the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of employees.

• In the explosion protection document prepared, risk assessment made specifically for the explosive environment, hazardous area classification, safety data sheets and similar documents containing the properties of explosive substances, equipment categories selected in accordance with the explosive environment, measures to reduce the effects of explosion, permit procedure for working with fire and necessary organizational and administrative documents are included. and technical measures.

​

CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDS IN EXPLOSIVE GAS AND DUST ENVIRONMENTS (ZONE CALCULATION) ACCORDING TO EN 60079-10-1:2021 AND EN 60079-10-2:2015, EN 62485-2 STANDARD (BATTERY CHARGING AREAS):

​

The purpose of classification of hazardous areas is to distinguish different areas with different degrees/probabilities of risk to ensure the selection and installation of appropriate electrical equipment to be used in each area.

​

Classification and ZONE determination of areas where explosive gas and dust environments may occur within the framework of EN 60079-10-1:2021 and EN 60079-10-2:2015, EN 62485-2 Standard (Battery charging areas), NFPA 499, NFPA 654 standards. It is a guide prepared to do this.

​

SELECTION OF SUITABLE EXPROOF EQUIPMENT:

​

The purpose of the Exproof conformity assessment study at the facility is to determine whether the exproof equipment falling within the scope of the Regulation No. 2014/34/EU on Equipment and Protective Systems Used in Possibly Explosive Environments is selected in the Category and Ex feature appropriate for the Zones determined in the sites.