BS EN 17348:2022 - Requirements for Design and Testing of Vacuum Cleaners for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres

Standard Number: BS EN 17348:2022

Pages: 104

Released: 2022-07-31

ISBN: 978 0 539 02834 8

Status: Standard

Overview

The BS EN 17348:2022 standard is a comprehensive guideline that outlines the essential requirements for the design and testing of vacuum cleaners intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. This standard is crucial for manufacturers, engineers, and safety professionals who are involved in the production and maintenance of vacuum cleaners that must operate safely in hazardous environments.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Coverage: Spanning 104 pages, this standard provides detailed information on the design and testing protocols necessary to ensure the safe operation of vacuum cleaners in explosive atmospheres.
• Up-to-Date Information: Released on July 31, 2022, this standard incorporates the latest advancements and safety requirements in the field.
• International Standard: As a BS EN standard, it is recognized and respected globally, ensuring that your products meet international safety and quality benchmarks.
• ISBN: 978 0 539 02834 8, making it easy to reference and locate in professional and academic settings.

Why This Standard is Essential

Operating vacuum cleaners in potentially explosive atmospheres presents unique challenges and risks. The BS EN 17348:2022 standard addresses these challenges by providing a robust framework for the design and testing of these specialized devices. Adhering to this standard helps to:

• Ensure Safety: By following the guidelines, manufacturers can significantly reduce the risk of explosions, protecting both personnel and property.
• Enhance Reliability: Products designed and tested according to this standard are more likely to perform reliably under hazardous conditions.
• Compliance: Meeting the requirements of this standard ensures compliance with regulatory and industry-specific safety requirements, facilitating market access and acceptance.

Detailed Content

The BS EN 17348:2022 standard covers a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

• Design Requirements: Detailed specifications for the materials, construction, and features of vacuum cleaners to ensure they are safe for use in explosive atmospheres.
• Testing Protocols: Comprehensive testing procedures to validate the safety and performance of vacuum cleaners under various conditions.
• Maintenance Guidelines: Best practices for the maintenance and inspection of vacuum cleaners to ensure ongoing safety and reliability.
• Documentation and Labeling: Requirements for proper documentation and labeling to provide clear and accurate information to users and regulatory bodies.

Who Should Use This Standard?

This standard is indispensable for a variety of professionals, including:

• Manufacturers: Companies involved in the design and production of vacuum cleaners for hazardous environments will find this standard essential for ensuring their products meet safety and performance requirements.
• Engineers: Design and safety engineers can use this standard as a reference to develop and validate safe and reliable vacuum cleaner designs.
• Safety Inspectors: Professionals responsible for inspecting and certifying vacuum cleaners for use in explosive atmospheres will rely on this standard to ensure compliance.
• Regulatory Bodies: Organizations that set and enforce safety standards will use this document to establish guidelines and assess compliance.

Conclusion

The BS EN 17348:2022 standard is a vital resource for anyone involved in the design, production, and maintenance of vacuum cleaners intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. By adhering to the guidelines and requirements set forth in this standard, manufacturers and safety professionals can ensure the highest levels of safety, reliability, and compliance, ultimately protecting both people and property from the risks associated with explosive environments.

Invest in the BS EN 17348:2022 standard today to ensure your vacuum cleaners meet the stringent safety and performance requirements necessary for operation in hazardous conditions.

BS EN 17348:2022

This standard BS EN 17348:2022 Requirements for design and testing of vacuum cleaners for use in potentially explosive atmospheres is classified in these ICS categories:

• 97.080 Cleaning appliances

This document specifies requirements for design, construction, testing and marking of hand-held, portable and transportable vacuum cleaners, including their accessories, constructed to Group II, categories 2G or 3G (of explosion groups IIA, IIB, IIB plus hydrogen), and to Group II, categories 2D or 3D (of explosion groups IIIA, IIIB and IIIC), intended for the collection of combustible or non-combustible dusts and flammable or non-flammable liquids in potentially explosive atmospheres. A potentially explosive atmosphere could be generated by the equipment during its intended use. NOTE 1 The accumulation of 1 mm or more of combustible dust on surfaces in a working area can create an explosive atmosphere (see reference to 1/32 in. of Depth of Dust Accumulation for Guidance for Area Electrical Classification in NFPA 654, 2017 Edition). This document applies to equipment driven by electric power and by pneumatic power. This document gives guidelines for dealing with significant hazards, hazardous situations and/or events relevant to vacuum cleaners when they are used as intended and under conditions of misuse which are reasonably foreseeable by the manufacturer. Typical applications for the concerned equipment are: - collection of dust produced by machinery at the point of generation; - general housekeeping around machinery and of working areas; and/or - collection of spills; - cleaning of equipment during maintenance operations; and/or - collection of specific waste. For the collection of dust in the presence of flammable liquids or vapours, a specific risk assessment is performed if this is part of the vacuum cleaners intended conditions of use and additional precautions beyond what is described in this document can be required. NOTE 2 The passage of dust through a vacuum cleaner will generate high levels of electrostatic charge which, in most situations, will be a potential source of ignition to a flammable gas or vapour atmosphere. For the collection of low-conductivity flammable liquids, a specific risk assessment is performed if this is part of the vacuum cleaners intended conditions of use and additional precautions beyond what is described in this document can be required. NOTE 3 The resulting liquid velocities are likely to be in excess of the limits required to maintain electrostatic charge generation at a non-hazardous level according to CLC/TR 60079 32 1:2018. This document does not apply to equipment used to collect toxic dusts where there is a health risk if dust passes through the filter elements. This document does not apply to the collection of dusts which have explosive and unstable properties (UN transport class 1, class 4.1 and class 5.2). NOTE 4 Hazards related to the use of vacuum cleaners for the collection of hazardous dusts are the subject of other standards. This document applies to vacuum cleaners with an internal dirty air volume of maximum 250 l. NOTE 5 250 l is the volume above which it is recognized a vacuum cleaner might not be considered as transportable by an operator, and above which additional explosion protections can be required. The present version of the document does not apply to battery operated equipment. NOTE 6 Battery operated equipment might be part of the scope of this document in a subsequent version. This document does not apply to vacuum trucks. This document applies to vacuum cleaners of canister and back-pack types. This document does not apply to upright vacuum cleaners. This document does not apply to motorized cleaning head accessories. NOTE 7 This document does not apply to household appliances which are the subject of other standards. This document does not apply to applications where the substances are conveyed into a separate receiving container. This document does not apply to equipment intended for use in underground parts of mines as well as those parts of surface installations of such mines endangered by firedamp and/or combustible dust. ..