EX-PROOF MATERIALS AND REGULATIONS IN TURKEY Lecturer, Dere Gulcicek
Istanbul Arel University, Turkey
ABSTRACT
Atmospheric Explosion is crucial point in occupational safety in modern industrilized economy. That is because ex-proof materials should be used in the explosive
environments. Legistlation and governmental regulations aim to protect employees from explosions. In Turkey, this topic is an emerging issue in many sectors such as mine, metal, chemical and so on.
In this research, we will not only present the structural building of ex-proof materials Technologies but also mandatory legistlations in Turkey by giving some statistical data. Current and future market share of ex-proof materials will be discussed. Some ex-proof materials and applications related with Soma accident is added here.
Keywords: Ex-proof, Atex, Explosion, Occupational Safety
INTRODUCTION
Turkish industry needs ex-proof material technology. Almost all of used ex-proof materials are procured from abroad. Petroleum, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, paint, yeast, cosmetics etc. large industrial facilities, engage in explosive dust grain silos etc. all work places, required flameproof materials are supplied from abroad. Certain information about the amount of import is not available. But it is estimated about 250 to 500 billion dollars.
Companies that produce ex-proof materials, detectors and sensors are available in Turkey. But it is not enough meet to need. Our goal is drawing attention to this issue to promote ex-proof technology and reach to occupational health and safety standards in
the world. For these reasons, ATEX symposium is realized once every two years in Turkey, organized by the Electrical engineers chamber.
Although it is not available now, Turkish coal mining gets inspired to National Coal Board.
Firstly, it is required investigation of emergence and development of exproof technology. Why was needed such a technology? And how it has progressed? Explosion Proof material needs has emerged to be taken as one of measures after the occurred work accidents. And it is developed in the direction of the needs.
In this paper, the entry of the exproof materials into Turkey, used materials and regulations will be discussed.
Rules and Regulations in Turkey about Explosion Proof Technology
Explosive definition and precautions have been made to taking into account ambient conditions. Essentially explosion is occurring combustion in under certain conditions and a very short time.
Explosion limit or potential field of combustible dusts, gases and vapors in the air are called to explosive atmosphere.
Mining industry has pioneered explosion-proof technology because of first encounter with explosive atmospheres through mines. In Turkey, this leadership has made Zonguldak coal mines.
Regulations
Therefore mines must comply with the occupational safety regulations entered into force on 02.21.2014.
This regulation have been prepared according to European Union Directive No. 92/104/EEC. The basis of Regulation is business law No. 4857 dated 22.05.2003.
Regulations for explosives was envisaged that ’explosive and flammable substances mixtures with air, these mixtures will be considered as substances that can create an explosive atmosphere, proven by research will be done unless bring an independently explosion’
According to the regulations to protect the health and safety of workers requires special precautions it may cause an explosive mixture in an amount that is considered to be hazardous. Otherwise, the places have been considered non-hazardous.
Ministry of Industry and Trade has implemented ATEX 100a (Directive 94/9 EC) as a regulation in 2002.
The European Directive No. 92/104/EEC substances have been added to regulations 'occupational health and safety in the mines workplace' that is published on 19 September 2013 and regulations were made more comprehensive than previous.
It is indicated the material used in the new regulations to be appropriate to ATEX 94/9. Regulation contains phrase of ‘conductors and electrical devices voltage immediately dismissed where is over the 1.5% general rate of methane in the atmosphere, unless the conditions heal it is not allowed’. This substance gave rise to obligations such as establishing methane monitoring facility and electrical appliances selected correspondingly. [1]
Rules
The first charter regarding Mines and quarrying enterprises and precautions in the construction of tunnels to be taken worker health and safety measures was issued in 1984. Within the health and safety legislation have two separate charter which is related with the instruments used in explosive environments.
First one is about the charter that will be taken precautions on worker health and occupational safety in mines and quarries and public enterprises.
The second one is about the charters that will be taken precautions on flammable, explosive, hazardous and harmful substances, places and works.
ATEX137 is a charter about protection of workers from the risks of explosive atmospheres which was published in 2003 by the Ministry of Working.
Explosion Proof Technology and ATEX directives
The structure of ex-proof tool is different from industrial tools. Therefore, repair and maintenance must also be different. Inspections of electric facilities in potentially explosive atmosphere is different from other electric facilities inspection and it is explained at IEC60079-17. Inspections must be made according to IEC60364-6. For the installation of a facility that can create an explosive atmosphere must include IEC 60079-14 compliance information. Relating only added facility are obliged the record for facilities that will be added later. If an existing facility are being received transfer, it can open for use after the necessary checks have been made by an authorized service facility.
Turkish Standards Institute has started to operate a new established test laboratory in Izmir to give certification and testing to produced tools for this industry sector because other industry institutions is different requests than coal mines. But the laboratory does not provide ATEX certification. Because ATEX Notified Body status has not yet received.
Turkey has been included to IECEx Schema in the end of 2009. But yet an Ex laboratory which is an authorized from IEC or Notified Body that is in accordance with ATEX from the Brussels is absent in Turkey. After the publication of the ATEX directive, testing laboratories were forced to stop their activities in Zonguldak and İzmir. Because both of them are not give certification in accordance with ATEX.
Warning sign must be as in the specified ATEX directive for places where may occur explosive atmospheres. So there is a certain conditions of shape.
There is no binding charter or regulation on how to design underground electricity network of Gassy coal mines. Some relevant materials are available in old 'regulation of mines safety'. Apart from this, the European standards organization CEN EN1710*
standard published in 2005 is available. And it was published in 2014 under the name of ISO/IEC80079-38**.
Flameproof or exproof materials are tested in accordance with consecutive 6 times explosion. If does not leak explosion at 6 times consecutive, it means the material has exproof property.
Any instrument on its own is not intrinsically safe. Even though can be dangerous when combined with other instruments.
The phrase of ‘It is only for intrinsically safe circuits’ is not observed on simple apparatus and passive component in Turkey.
Such as petroleum and LPG fuel pump stations are based on the European Standard, in Turkey. European Parliament have changed the directive known as ATEX 94/9 with a decision taken at February 26, 2014 and has been published with the new shape and name "DIRECTIVE of 2014/34/E" in the Official Journal of the European Union dated 03.29.2014. Compliance time is recognized to member countries, until April 19, 2016. The main objective is to strengthen the CE mark.
The short name of the new legislation is NLF (New Legislative Framework) for the purpose of conducted to improve and strengthen market surveillance and control, to strengthen product conformity assessment, of the CE marking launched from 2008. ATEX 100a is in the field to Ministry of Industry tasks because production-related. ATEX 100a is regulation related with equipment and protective systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres (94/9 AT)
In ATEX 100a;
There is no Intrinsically safe instruments. There is only intrinsically safe circuits. Ex-proof tools must produced not only corresponding norms of ex protection standards but also other valid EN appropriate and obliged to carry the CE quality certification.
Both ATEX directives are equally valid in Turkey. ATEX gives rise certain obligation and costs for both user and the manufacturer. These are clearly indicated in the relevant regulations.
2 regulations are available that is known as shorter name ATEX. Related to equipment (ATEX 94/9) is renewed. Related to occupational safety and health of employees in explosive environments (ATEX 137) has not changed.
The concept of hazardous areas has been changed regions in the zone called ATEX 100a 10,11,12 to 20,21,22 in ATEX 137. [2]
Zone definitions;
ZONE 0: consisting of an explosive atmosphere (or have a high probability of
occurrence) and when it occurs long-time places under normal working conditions are covered by ZONE 0
ZONE 1 : likelihood of occurrence explosive atmosphere is less (no or), only failure
and abnormal working conditions and explosive environments which can occur incidentally or is likely to occur and it occurs a short time are covered by ZONE 1.
ZONE 2: unlikely to occur in explosive environments and also much less likelihood of
occurrence explosive atmospheres the fault accident, repair, maintenance in such cases and in a very short period are covered by ZONE 2.
ZONE 20: consisting of explosive dusts and fibers and have a high probability of
occurrence and long-time places under normal working conditions.
ZONE 21: consisting of less explosive dusts and fibers and have a few probability of
occurrence and short-time places under normal working conditions.
ZONE 22: explosive dust or fibers are not likelihood of occurrence and also occurs
abnormal conditions like malfunctions or accidents and is likely too short in this conditions
Division and Zone separation
Division system seperates explosive environments to 2 section, also Zone system separates to 3 sections. Zone 1 is absent in the Division System.
Considering the entire facility in Divison system, also Zone system takes into account components individually in the facility placed.
‘USA Division system’ and ‘EN or IEC’s zone system’ are incompatible with each other. You can not connect the two systems to each other.
There is not an authority for determines Zone and Divison in America or in European. The owner who established and designed the facility determines this. (except as public filling stations like Petrol and LPG, LNG). [3]
Fire related risk analysis is mandatory each workplace. Zone or Division map are available in the facilities.It must be renewed with modifications or changes.
*IEN 1710: Equipment and components intended for use in poentially explosive atmspheres in underground mines. **ISO/IEC80079-38/Ed1: Explosive atmospheres-Part38: Equipment and component in explosive atmosphres in underground mines.
Discussion and Conclusion
Turkey was elected as the British system in hard coal mines in Zonguldak. British-made electrical appliances are used in most of our mines, including those German-projected. ‘cadmium-free’ and ‘cadmiumsafe’ phrases is settled in British Intrinsically Safe Technology. Cadmium safe tested with Germans test instruments and it is inherently safer. Some firms give importance due to the competition.
A mining accident has been realized in our country. There has been raised many issues that is also within exproof technology after accident. Although there is no definite cause currently, research is ongoing.
Mines accidents can occur from many reasons. One of the reasons is unused exproof materials. Sengheynd mines accident is an example regarding to neglect with Explosion
Proof material use. Stored energy has been found responsible for Grisou exploded arc event and it is dangerous when magnetic energy storage elements are connected ends of liquid leclanche cell that is open circuit voltage of 25 volts, such as a buzzer or relay in the Sengheynd mines accident.
It is not possible to give precise information about Soma accident because it is currently in the process of court. But in my opinion, reason is related with incident of coal combustion, not related to electricity. Electrical network is appropriate to the semi-isolated IT mines. And as far as we know ex-proof technology is used in an effective manner in Soma.
REFERENCES
[1] Ergun Unal,Explosive Atmospheres and Explosion Prevention
Methods, Turkey, pp 22-24, 1997
[2] Kemal Sari, Inspection, Maıntenance, Repair, Overhole,
Reclamation and Modificatıon of Equipment used in Explosive Atmospheres, Turkey,2013, pp 1-3
[3] Kemal Sari,Exproof Explosive Atmospheres and General
Information of Used Electrical Devices in Explosive Environments, Book, Turkey, pp 11-32, 2013
