IEC TS 60079-32-1-2017 PDF

Full title and description

IEC TS 60079-32-1: Explosive atmospheres - Part 32-1: Electrostatic hazards — Guidance. This technical specification provides recommendations and practical guidance to identify, assess and control electrostatic hazards that can lead to ignition or electrostatic shock in explosive atmospheres; it is intended to support risk assessments, product-family standards and safe design and operation of electrical and non-electrical equipment and associated processes.

Abstract

IEC TS 60079-32-1 gives guidance on equipment, product and process properties and on operational measures necessary to avoid ignition and electrostatic-shock hazards arising from static electricity in explosive atmospheres. Topics include selection of materials and surface treatments, earthing/bonding, reduction of charging, restriction of chargeable areas on insulators, handling and process controls for powders and liquids, and measures for maintenance, testing and documentation. The 2013 first edition was amended in 2017 and is also available as a consolidated 2017 version that incorporates the amendment.

General information

• Status: Current (technical specification with amendment incorporated in consolidated 2017 edition).
• Publication date: Original TS published 20 August 2013; Amendment 1 published March 2017; consolidated (CSV) edition dated 16 March 2017.
• Publisher: International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
• ICS / categories: 29.260.20 (Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres).
• Edition / version: First edition (Ed. 1.0) 2013; Amendment 1 (2017); consolidated edition 2017 (edition 1.1 where published as CSV).
• Number of pages: TS first edition approx. 172 pages; Amendment 1 (English leaflet) 6 pages; consolidated CSV listing shows combined publication length variants (consolidated file listing ~354 pages for some formats).

Scope

This document provides guidance for the avoidance of electrostatic hazards in potentially explosive atmospheres. It applies to equipment, products, machinery and processes where static electricity can arise (including powders, liquids and insulating materials). The TS covers risk-assessment principles, selection and treatment of materials, earthing and bonding of conductors, limitation and control of chargeable areas on insulating surfaces, handling and operational procedures, maintenance, testing and verification and documentation required to reduce the likelihood of hazardous electrostatic discharges. It is intended to be used alongside other parts of the IEC 60079 series and relevant product standards.

Key topics and requirements

• Guidance for risk assessment of electrostatic hazards in explosive atmospheres.
• Recommendations for earthing, bonding and connectors to prevent hazardous potential differences.
• Material selection and treatments to reduce charging (surface resistivity limits, coatings, conductive fillers).
• Restriction and management of chargeable areas on non‑metallic external parts.
• Procedures and controls for handling powders, dusts and flammable liquids to limit charge generation and accumulation.
• Operational measures: cleaning, maintenance, personnel procedures and safe work practices to reduce ignition probability.
• Testing, measurement and verification methods for surface resistance, continuity and effectiveness of protective measures.
• Documentation, marking and information to accompany equipment and processes for safe use in explosive atmospheres.

Typical use and users

Used by equipment manufacturers (electrical and non-electrical), system integrators, safety and process engineers, plant operators in industries handling flammable gases, vapors, dusts or combustible powders (petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, grain-handling, paints/coatings), certification and conformity-assessment bodies, and standards committees preparing product-specific requirements.

Related standards

Closely related to other parts of the IEC 60079 series (for example IEC 60079-0 general requirements, IEC 60079-10 series for classification of hazardous areas, IEC 60079-14 installation guidance and IEC 60079-17 inspection/maintenance), and to national/adopted technical reports such as CLC/TR 60079-32-1 and UNE-CLC/TR 60079-32-1 (where adopted). It is also referenced when preparing product-family or dedicated product standards addressing electrostatic risks.

Keywords

Electrostatic hazards; static electricity; explosive atmospheres; earthing; bonding; surface resistivity; risk assessment; powders; combustible dust; flammable liquids; IEC 60079; ignition prevention.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: IEC TS 60079-32-1 is a technical specification providing guidance on recognition, assessment and control of electrostatic hazards that could cause ignition or electrostatic shock in explosive atmospheres.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers causes of electrostatic charging, recommended measures such as earthing/bonding, material selection and surface treatment, reduction of chargeable areas, safe handling of powders and liquids, testing and verification and operational/maintenance procedures to reduce ignition risk.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Equipment manufacturers, design and safety engineers, plant operators in industries with explosive atmospheres, conformity-assessment and certification bodies, and standards developers use this TS as guidance for preventing electrostatic ignition sources.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The first edition was published in 2013 and Amendment 1 issued in March 2017; a consolidated 2017 CSV incorporates the amendment. The consolidated listing shows the publication as stable into the late 2020s (stability date indicated by IEC). Users should check the IEC webstore or national adoption bodies for the latest status before relying on the document for compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of the IEC 60079 series (standards and technical specifications addressing equipment, installation and practices for explosive atmospheres).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Electrostatic hazards, static electricity, explosive atmospheres, earthing, bonding, surface resistivity, risk assessment, powders, combustible dust, flammable liquids.