Explosion protection requirements for hydrogen chloride synthesis furnaces
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Our factory currently has a set of hydrogen chloride synthesis furnaces that need to be installed in Zone 2 explosion-proof areas. In accordance with the EU ATEX directive, these furnaces require appropriate explosion-proof certification (Ex h). As they belong to Category II equipment with protection level Gc, it is relatively simple to obtain the necessary certification according to EU regulations. I checked, and there is also a corresponding explosion-proof standard for non-electrical equipment in China, namely GB25286. Although this standard does not include the /T suffix, it seems that there are no mandatory explosion-proof requirements in China for non-electrical equipment placed in explosive hazard areas. I was wondering if anyone has experience in this regard – when using a synthesis furnace in Zone 2 in China, is it necessary to obtain an explosion-proof certification?
This post was last edited by Du Xiaoping on 2020-4-2 at 15:31. Note: Zones 0, 1, and 2 are classifications for the level of hazard in environments with explosive gas atmospheres: Zone 0: An environment where explosive gas mixtures are present continuously or for an extended period of time. Zone 1: An environment in which explosive gas mixtures may occur during normal operation. Zone 2: An environment in which explosive gas mixtures cannot occur during normal operation, or in which such mixtures, if they do appear, exist only for a short period of time. ATEX certification: On March 23, 1994, the European Commission adopted the Directive on Equipment and Protective Systems for Use in Potentially Explosive Environments (94/9/EC). This directive covers both mining and non-mining equipment; unlike previous directives, it includes mechanical and electrical equipment, extending the potential explosive hazard environments to dust and flammable gases, flammable vapors, and mists in the air. This directive is the “new approach” directive commonly referred to as ATEX 100A, that is, the current ATEX explosion protection directive. It specifies the technical requirements to be applied to equipment intended for potentially explosive environments–the basic health and safety requirements as well as the conformity assessment procedures that must be followed before such equipment is placed on the European market within its area of use.