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Hazardous Areas

Electrical work is often undertaken where there are flammable gases, vapour mists and combustible dust particles present, which all have the potential for an explosive atmosphere. The Design, installation and maintenance of electrical system within and around hazardous areas need managing differently. 

This section gives advice on applying the right technical standards, latest news and updates to ensure you’re fully equipped to understand the complexities when installing these systems.

Standards set the benchmarks for good practice, professionalism and help provide assurance to clients and ensure their expectations are met. They also promote a culture that encourages the delivery of high quality services.

Applying the right standards is crucial when carrying out different areas of work; importantly they fulfil obligations under contract but ultimately obligations under Health and Safety and the Electricity at Work Regulations.

When designing, installing, commissioning, testing, inspecting or maintaining electrical systems within explosive atmospheres, depending on the scope of work, a combination of the most recent edition of the following standards and guidance would apply:

BS EN 60079-10-1 Explosive atmospheres. Classification of areas. Explosive gas atmospheres

BS EN 60079-10-2:2015 Explosive atmospheres. Classification of areas. Explosive dust atmospheres

BS EN 60079-14:2014 Explosive atmospheres. Electrical installations design, selection and erection

BS EN 60079-17:2014 Explosive atmospheres. Electrical installations inspection and maintenance

BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations

EEMUA Publication 186 Practitioners handbook for potentially explosive atmospheres

APEA / EI Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations

HSR 25  Guidance on  The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

To see the full range of editable certificates - go to the Editable Certificates webpage​

To see the full range of guidance notes - go to the Guidance note web page

To see the full range of technical bulletins - go to the Technical Bulletins web page

To see the full range of application guides - go to the Application Guides web page