This European Standard specifies the basic method and requirements for design, construction, testing and
marking of non-electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in air of gas,
vapour, mist and dusts. Such atmospheres can also exist inside the equipment. In addition, the external
atmosphere can be drawn inside the equipment by natural breathing produced as a result of fluctuations in the
equipment’s internal operating pressure, and/or temperature.
This European Standard is valid for atmospheres having pressures ranging from 0,8 bar to 1,1 bar and
temperatures ranging from - 20 °C to + 60 °C., i.e. equipment built to this European Standard will be
satisfactory to any service conditions within this range unless otherwise specified.
NOTE 1
The requirements of this European Standard can also be helpful for the design, construction, testing and
marking of equipment intended for use in atmospheres outside the validity range stated above. In this case however, the
ignition hazard assessment, ignition protection provided, additional testing (if necessary), manufacturer’s technical
documentation and instructions to the user, should clearly demonstrate and indicate the equipment’s suitability for the
conditions it may encounter. It should also be recognized that changes in temperature and pressure can have a significant
influence on ignitability.
This European Standard does not cover additional marking for equipment intended for use outside the scope
of its validity such as an oxygen-enriched atmosphere.
This European Standard is also applicable for the design, construction, testing and marking of components,
protective systems, devices and assemblies of these products which have possible ignition sources and are
intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
It specifies the requirements for the design and construction of equipment, intended for use in potentially
explosive atmospheres in conformity with all categories of Group I and II. This European Standard can be
supplemented by European Standards concerning the specific types of ignition protection.