Is your workplace or project/application situated in a hazardous area classified zone 0/1/2 or 20/21/22?
Important: IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF WHETHER OR NOT YOUR APPLICATION OCCURS IN OR NEAR A HAZARDOUS AREA ZONE 0/1 or 2 or ZONE 20/21 or 22 then either call us directly so that we may assist you with an initial assessment or contact a hazardous area specialist.
Most workplaces like offices, schools, public buildings etc. are within a non hazardous area. Workplaces where flammable or combustible materials are stored are often within a hazardous area. However, just because a workplace exists in a non hazardous area such as a school, it does not mean that a static hazard is not present. For example one of the most reported instances of static shock resulting in injury has been in public spaces such as playgrounds and within office buildings.
Some everyday powders such as grains, flour, milk powders
and sugar in large quantities can be highly explosive.
In a hazardous area it is very seldom that an electrostatic
hazard can be treated by itself. Precautions against
electrostatic hazards should be in addition to other precautions,
for example but not limited to; explosion protection or intrinsically
safe electrical equipment.
They should also be consistent with precautions
taken to avoid other hazards that may be present, such as ignitions
due to other causes such as radiation. It is important that all sources of risk in a system of work are considered and that a balanced approach to safety that covers all risks is adopted.
Hazardous Areas and the electrical equipment that can be used within them including static electricity control, earthing and bonding, surge protection or lightning protection equipment, must meet appropriate Australian & New Zealand regulations and standards. The regulations and standards that apply to a Hazardous Area may not or do not apply to a Non Hazardous Area. In relation to static electricity control, earthing and bonding, surge protection or lightning protection equipment, there are particular types of equipment that are designed specifically for Hazardous Areas. These types of equipment require IECex certification suitable for the type of Hazardous Area that they will be used in.
Non Hazardous Areas and the electrical equipment that can be used within them including static electricity control, earthing and bonding, surge protection or lightning protection equipment must also meet appropriate Australian & New Zealand regulations and standards. However in relation to static electricity control, earthing and bonding, surge protection or lightning protection equipment used in a Non Hazardous Area there is no requirement for IECex certification.
In practical terms static electricity control, earthing and bonding, surge protection or lightning protection equipment that can be used in Hazardous Areas is often quite specific to the application within a Hazardous Area. This is due in part to this type of equipment having to undergoe significant laboratory testing and simulation from certified testing laboratories such as Sira, Baseefa to ensure that the equipment is suitable to be used in a Hazardous Area prior to recieving IECex certification. In some cases this testing can take 12 - 24 months to complete.
If you require further information in relation to IECex certification please visit the IEC website www.iecex.com.
We strongly recommend that you do not conduct testing or install static electricity control, earthing & bonding or lightning protection equipment in or near a hazardous area zone 0/1 or 2 or zone 20/21 or 22 without first considering the requirements of the zone and how the equipment applies to those requirements and or the appropriate Australian/New Zealand regulations, standards or codes of practice.
