BS EN 1834

BS EN 1834-1:2000 governs the safe use of reciprocating internal combustion engines. It is a major part of ATEX regulations. It defines the safety requirements for the design and construction of engines used in potentially explosive atmospheres and Group II engines used in flammable gas and vapour atmospheres.

BS EN 1834-2:2000 covers the same classes of engine for mining operations.

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 1834-1 and -2 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 13463.

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. Uniquely, IPU’s M22 and M28 hydraulic starters are certified to both BS standards so can be used in both environments.

 

For more information on BS EN 1834

Unlike the EU’s ATEX standard (Directive 94/9/EC), EN 1834-1 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.