ERIKS awarded IECEx standard for hazardous area motor repair

The ERIKS workshop is only the third motor repair facility in the UK to achieve this status.

ERIKS’ Electro-Mechanical Workshop, based in Chesterfield, has successfully been audited and subsequently achieved certification by BSSFEEFA to the IECEX Standard for the overhaul and repair of electric motors used in potentially explosive atmospheres. The workshop is only the third motor repair facility in the UK to achieve this status.

IEC 60079-19 certification requires repairers to establish and maintain procedures as well as employees’ competence for the repair, overhaul and reclamation of certified electrical apparatus designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

There have been legislative changes that have important implications for users of motors in ATEX-zoned environments. The first is that new zones have been defined – zones 20 to 22 – that cover environments where dust may be present in such concentrations as to constitute an explosion risk. This means that many more manufacturing processes, such as the milling of flour and the processing of paper, are now likely to fall within the scope of the ATEX 137 Directive 1999/92/EC guidance section 4.6 maintenance, which is defined as repair, servicing and inspection of Explosion equipment. Companies that are affected for the first time by the ATEX legislation are likely to need additional guidance and support.

The second change is that IEC 60079-19, the international standard that applies to the repair of electrical equipment for use in hazardous environments, has been updated. The new standard incorporates many changes, such as alterations in the recovery methods allowed for flame paths, and the verification of the recovery processes. Skill tests for the persons carrying out these processes are also included for the first time.

Probably the most significant change, however, is that the new standard places far more onus on end-users of repaired equipment to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it meets all of the requirements of the relevant sections of the regulations. Users may subcontract EX repairs but they are still responsible for ensuring that EX equipment is safe to use and that the service centre is competent to repair Explosion Atmosphere Equipment. Indeed, the standard includes a section that deals exclusively with the competence of operatives and responsible persons who make decisions about the status of ATEX-certified equipment. It requires that these persons should be able to demonstrate their competency in making these decisions, and that they should be able to provide evidence of attaining the necessary knowledge and skills. In many cases, the responsible person will be someone working for the organisation that carries out the repair but, if this person cannot be shown to be competent, the legal responsibility for the consequences of any shortcomings falls directly back to the end user of the equipment.

End-users should have complete confidence in the work performed by the Chesterfield Service Centre as it is undertaken by employees that are regularly assessed by an internationally recognised and independent auditor.