As part of the ongoing synchronising of Australian hazardous areas standards with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), some Australian standards for hazardous area equipment selection and installation will be superseded or become redundant for new installations in Australia later this year.
Which standards are changing?
AS/NZS 60079.14 – Explosive atmospheres – Part 14: Electrical installations design, selection and erection, was published in September 2009 and combines the general installation requirements for hazardous areas (formerly found in AS/NZS 2381.1 for gas and vapour areas and AS/NZS 61241.14 for combustible dust areas) with the specific, additional installation requirements for each explosion protection technique (formerly found in the rest of the AS/NZS 2381 series and the 1076 series).
AS/NZS 60079.14 therefore supersedes all of the standards in the list below. To allow time for installers to become familiar with the new requirements a transition period is in place before these standards are withdrawn, during which compliance with either the old or the new standards is acceptable.
- AS 1076.7 Apparatus with type of protection ‘n’– Non-sparking apparatus
- AS/NZS 2381.1:2005 Electrical equipment for explosive gas atmospheres–
- Selection, installation and maintenance
- AS/NZS 2381.2:2006 Flameproof enclosure –d
- AS 2381.6:1993 Increased safety –e
- AS 2381.7:1989 Intrinsic safety -i
- AS/NZS 61241.14:2005 Selection and installation -Dust
When are the new standards taking effect?
The old standards listed above are scheduled for withdrawal on 18th September 2011 at which time new installations will be required to comply with AS/NZS 60079.14.
AS/NZS 3800:2005 Electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres – Repair and overhaul will also be replaced with AS/NZS 60079.19 at this time.
What other standards are in the pipeline?
Additional standards are in development by the Standards Australia group including:
- AS/NZS 60079.10.2 to replace AS/NZS61241.10:2005 – Classification of areas where combustible dusts are or may be present
- Standards for non-electrical equipment and installations, for example pumps, valves and conveyors where there is a frictional heating or sparking risk
Competency Training customers and e-news subscribers will receive further updates on the introduction of new Standards as they become known.
How to update your competencies in line with new standards
Competency Training runs two-day refresher courses for people who have previously completed training in EEHA installation and maintenance that cover the requirements of the new standard. Contact us to enquire about updating competencies in line with the new standards.
