Table of Contents
Abstract
Specifies general requirements for the selection, installation and maintenance of electrical equipment for use in areas were flammable materials are generated, prepared, processed, handled, stored or otherwise used, and which are therefore potentially hazardous.
Scope
This Standard specifies general requirements, additional to those required for basic electrical safety, for the selection of electrical equipment and instruments, and associated equipment, and for the electrical equipment’s installation and maintenance to ensure safe use in hazardous areas where flammable materials are generated, prepared, processed, handled, stored or otherwise used.
This Standard does not apply to those materials which are specifically manufactured as explosives, or to materials which are inherently explosive or pyrophoric. Explosive materials may require special considerations which are beyond the scope of this Standard.
The requirements of this Standard apply only to the use of electrical equipment under normal or near normal atmospheric conditions. For other conditions, additional precautions may be necessary. For example, most flammable materials and many materials which are normally regarded as non-flammable might burn vigorously under conditions of oxygen enrichment. Other precautions might also be necessary in the use of electrical equipment under conditions of extreme temperature and pressure. Such precautions are beyond the scope of this Standard.
Precautions which may be necessary against the effects of static electricity and against lightning are also outside the scope of this Standard, except for the general recommendations indicated in Clause 1.9.
Application
The requirements specified in this Standard are supplementary to and not alternative to any requirements given in AS/NZS 3000. Any alterations or modifications to AS/NZS 3000 in this document are specifically stated.
Installation of electrical equipment for explosive gas atmospheres shall comply with the requirements of this Standard and any additional requirements contained in other relevant parts of the AS 2381 series. Requirements for combustible dusts are given in the AS/NZS 61241 series and AS/NZS 60079 series. However, the requirements of this Standard may be varied by other relevant parts of the AS 2381 series for the types of protection concerned, in which case the requirements of other parts shall take precedence over this Standard.
Notwithstanding application of the installation requirements of this Standard to new installations, the requirements for inspection shall be applied to all electrical equipment and installations irrespective of age and date of installation.
History
First published as AS 1076.1-1977.
Revised and redesignated as AS 2381.1-1991.
Jointly revised and redesignated as AS/NZS 2381.1:1999.
Third edition 2005.