Objective ObjectivesTo draft a description of appropriate subdivisions of safety devices. To define all safety devices which are used in the context of electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and study their characteristics and performance in terms of the defined subdivisions. To draft a method for identifying when a particular subdivision should be used, taking into account the application and working environment of the equipment. To determine the correspondence between the proposed subdivisions and the relevant essential safety requirements.State of progressA report has been drafted on Task 1. For safety devices which comprise control systems, a target failure measure in terms of IEC 61508 safety integrity level (SIL) is appropriate. For simpler devices, fault tolerance may be more appropriate. Task 2 has commenced with a review of the ATEX requirements and will further consider mapping of SILs onto the ATEX requirements, using E.Ex 'p' apparatus as an example. Task 3 has generated a draft list of safety devices from a consideration of CENELEC standards, a Notified Body's database and manufacturers' catalogues. Tasks 4 and 5 have commenced. The partners are working closely with CENELEC/TC31-WG9 which intends to make use of the project results for standardisation. BackgroundExisting CENELEC standards cover different types of electrical apparatus for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The EU ATEX 100A Directive 94/9/EC has introduced Essential Safety Requirements and a categorisation system. EN 954, under the Machinery Directive, has a different categorisation system for safety-related devices. A categorisation system needs to be developed which is compatible with these and with standards for safety-critical control systems, such as IEC 61508.WorkprogrammeTask 1 is to derive target failure measures in the context of the ATEX requirements. These may be in terms of reliability and/or number of faults required to cause failure on demand. Task 2 is to assess standards such as EN 954 and IEC 61508 for suitability in specifying and certifying that the required target failure measures have been achieved. Task 3 is to identify the types of safety devices which are currently in use. Task 4 is to study these safety devices to determine their characteristics and performance in relation to the target failure measures. Task 5 is to determine a methodology for testing, validation and certification. Task 6 is to prepare a report and proposals for standardisation. Fields of science engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcontrol systemsnatural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabases Programme(s) FP4-SMT - Specific research and technological development programme in the field of standards, measurements and testing, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 0201 - Research in support of European trade Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Health and Safety Executive (HSE) EU contribution No data Address Broad Lane S3 7HQ Sheffield United Kingdom See on map Total cost No data Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Deutsche Montan Technologie GmbH Germany EU contribution No data Address Beylingstr. 65 44329 Dortmund See on map Total cost No data Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques France EU contribution No data Address Parc Technologique Alata 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte Paris See on map Total cost No data Universidad Politécnica de Madrid Spain EU contribution No data Address C/Alenza 2 28003 Madrid See on map Total cost No data
