Ex equipment is equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres such as petrol stations, oil refineries oil tankers and sugar refineries. Equipment used in such areas must be built so that they do not create sparks or heat that could ignite this environment. Certification ensures that equipment used in these areas is safe and comply with standards for Ex equipment.
The IECEx Certified Equipment Program
This IECEx Program is an International Certification Scheme covering products that meet the requirements of International Standards, for example IEC Standards prepared by Technical Committee 31. The IECEx Certified Equipment Program provides two alternatives:
a) A single International Certificate of Conformity that requires manufacturers to successfully complete:
- Testing and assessment of samples for compliance with standards
- Assessment and auditing of manufacturers premises
- On-going surveillance audits of manufacturers premises
b) A “fast track” process for countries where regulations still require issuance of national Ex Certificates or approval. This is achieved by way of global acceptance of IECEx equipment Test and Assessment Reports.
Certificates issued by the IECEx Certified Equipment Program are issued as “Electronic Certificates” and are live on the IECEx website. This enables full public access for viewing and printing.
How can DNV Business Assurance help?
DNV is accepted as an IECEx Test Laboratory (ExTL) and IECEx Certifying Body (ExCB) for the following standards:
- IEC 60079-0 Part 0: Equipment - General requirements
- IEC 60079-1 Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures 'd'
- IEC 60079-2 Part 2: Equipment protection by pressurized enclosures 'p'
- IEC 60079-7 Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety 'e'
- IEC 60079-11 Part 11: Equipment protection by intrinsic safety 'i'
- IEC 60079-15 Part 15: Construction, test and marking of type of protection "n" electrical apparatus
- IEC 60079-18 Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation "m"
- IEC 60079-28 Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation (scope covers “op is” and “op sh”)
- IEC 60079-31 Part 31: Equipment dust ignition protection by enclosure "t"
- IEC 61241-0 Part 0: General requirements
- IEC 61241-1 Part 1: Protection by enclosures 'tD'
- IEC 61241- 4 Part 4: Type of protection 'pD'
- IEC 61241-11 Part 11: Protection by intrinsic safety 'iD'
- IEC 61241-18 Part 18: Protection by encapsulation 'mD'