DEVELOPING international standards foreshadow the most significant change to mechanical equipment requirements for hazardous areas in the past 50 years.

Hazardous areas are those where there is potential for explosion due to a possible presence of flammable liquid, gas or combustible dust ? such as outlined in electrical standards e.g. AS/NZS 60079-10, AS/NZS 2430.3, API RP 505 and IP 15.

Typical industries affected include hydrocarbon processing, paint/adhesives, gas transmission and distribution, pharmaceutical, mining, coal handling, food, timber processing, grain handling and manufacturing.

Changes to standards indicated in this brief will affect all equipment including mechanical items used in hazardous areas that are potential sources of ignition ? components like bearings, belt drives, brakes, conveyors, gearboxes, screens or packages such as combustion engines, compressors, fans, heaters and pumps.

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are considering new standards for mechanical equipment integrity in hazardous areas. Standards Australia has commenced work to monitor and influence the development and introduction into Australia to achieve positive industry outcomes.

The introduction of such mechanical standards would have a huge impact on the specification and manufacture of mechanical plant and installations throughout the country.

Examples of the impact can be demonstrated with electrical equipment for hazardous areas where tight standards, testing and certification of electrical equipment is commonplace.

For mechanical equipment this could mean:


Changes to equipment specifications and standards.

Changes to design and manufacturing of equipment.

Testing and certification of mechanical plant for use in hazardous areas.

Restrictions on the selection of equipment (either by type and/or supplier).

Examples of requirements may include pressurisation, ventilation, enclosures, oil immersion, restricted breathing, condition monitoring and/or increasing safety factors.

All involve comprehensive failure mode and reliability assessments by designers and manufacturers.

All are only reliable with installation controls, inspection and maintenance similar to regimes currently in place for electrical equipment. All involve increasing competencies and practices in the workforce.

Obviously there is much at stake for local users and manufacturers of equipment. It would be a mistake to underestimate the potential long term impact on industry.

The Australian/New Zealand standards committee has begun work to identify issues with existing standards to consider and strategise approaches to influence the global development.

However the committee is desperately short of the required membership to provide representation, guidance and manpower for the standards making tasks.

In order to progress developments to fit Australian/New Zealand?s needs, the committee is seeking active representation from persons with mechanical equipment or plant design interests including:

State and federal OHS organisations (e.g. major hazard facilities).

Facility owners.

Equipment manufacturers or builders.

Consulting engineers.

Educators and other interest parties.

The opportunity to influence this most significant development must not be missed. Standards Australia has already identified this opportunity is now and would like to position itself to take advantage of the reputation it has already established in the IEC.

If you are involved in plant design, equipment manufacturer or regulation, then this is a development too important to miss. You should at least make an enquiry to find out more.