This European Standard specifies the explosion protection requirements for the construction and marking ofequipment that may be an individual item or form an assembly. This includes machinery and components placed on the market by a single supplier for use in mines susceptible to explosive atmospheres of firedamp and/or combustible dust (at atmospheric conditions as defined in EN 1127-2).
NOTE 1 This European Standard deals only with the ignition protection of mining machinery and manufacturers will need to take account of all other relevant EU Directives relating to the construction of machines e.g. the consolidated Machinery Directive 98/37/EC. Additionally, manufacturers will need to take account of any national legislation in the country where they intend to market their equipment.
NOTE 2 Where the flammable gas in the atmosphere is not predominantly methane, reference will need to be made to 4.1 in either EN 60079-0:2004 or EN 13463-1:2001.
NOTE 3 The definition of ‘equipment’ is contained in EN 13463-1. The definition of ‘assembly’ can be found the ATEX guidelines, published by the European Commission.
Equipment complying with the relevant clauses of this European Standard is considered to meet the
requirements for equipment of Group I - Category M2.
This European Standard also deals with the prevention of ignitions of explosive atmospheres caused by burning (or smouldering) of combustible material such as fabric fibres, plastic ”O”-rings, rubber seals, lubricating oils or greases used in the construction of the equipment if such items could be an ignition source.
For example, the mechanical failure of rotating shaft bearings can result in frictional heating that ignites its plastic cage, plastic seal or lubricating grease. See also 5.2.4 of EN 13463-1:2001.