BS EN 13463

BS EN 13463-1:2009 specifies the basic methods and requirements for the design, construction, testing and marking of non-electrical equipment in explosive or flammable atmospheres. These atmospheres include gas, vapour, mist and dusts and can also exist or be drawn inside the equipment because of changes in the internal operating pressure and temperature. In is an integral part of the ATEX regulations governing safety in hazardous workplaces.

BS EN 13463-1:2009 is valid for atmospheres with pressures ranging from 0,8 bar to 1,1 bar and temperatures from – 20 °C to + 60 °C. The standard helps users to implement the right safety measures to reduce hazards and the risk of explosions.

IPU’s starting systems are subject to the standard in two specific markets:

• Underground mining: IPU starting systems are used on FSVs (free-steer vehicles), underground rail systems, winches, wire lines, compressors and fire systems.
• Oil and gas platforms and drilling rigs: IPU starting systems are used on emergency fire pumps, offshore power packs, winches, wire lines and compressors.

One of the critical design elements that helps IPU’s starting systems conform to BS EN 13463-1 is the use of a pre-engaged starting process. “Pre-engaged” means that the starter’s pinion teeth are fully meshed with the engine’s ring gear before the high-speed cranking sequence begins. This eliminates the risk of sparks associated with inertia starters.

Starting systems sold into these markets are also subject to BS EN 1834.

Several systems in IPU’s hydraulic and air starting ranges comply with both British Standards as well as the European ATEX standard that governs the use of equipment in explosive atmospheres.

 

How does BS EN 13463 work?

BS EN 13463-1:2009 provides a classification system of the equipment categories and explosion groups, before sharing best practice recommendations to do an assessment of possible ignition sources. This standard also looks at verification and testing methods to ensure equipment safety and increase an organisation’s overall occupational safety.

 

For more information on BS EN 13463-1 and EN 13463-5

Unlike the EU’s ATEX standard (Directive 94/9/EC), EN 13463-1 is not available free-of-charge. It has to be purchased from the British Standards Institute’s online shop. For this reason, it cannot be made available for download from IPU’s web site.

The full text of the standard can be purchased from the BSI shop. A related standard, BS EN 13463-5, can be found here.