What is an explosion risk assessment?
An explosion risk assessment is a document which describes the risks in a process installation. It determines the type and extent of explosion risk zones, which are connected with the presence of flammable and explosive substances (dust, liquids, gases, etc.) in the plant. It also proposes what should be done to minimise the possibility of the occurrence of potential hazards, including the activation of ignition sources.
A correctly structured document analyses emergency scenarios and proposes options for securing the installation against the effects of an explosion. Such an assessment should be executed at the time of designing the installation and during its construction/commissioning.
The analysis should cover, among other things, the installation in operation, the substances and mixtures used, the processes involved and their interactions, the likelihood and duration of explosive atmospheres at specific locations, the likelihood of effective ignition sources and the magnitude of the expected consequences of an explosion.
What is the profit of having an explosion risk assessment?
First and foremost, you can decide which explosion protection concept to implement. However, when implementing this concept, it is important to remember that, above all, it should be aimed at preventing and reducing the formation of explosive atmospheres, preventing or reducing the possibility of ignition of explosive atmospheres and reducing the harmful effects of explosions, including their propagation.
The document should be kept up to date with any significant change which could affect the outcome of the risk assessment.
The analysis and evaluation should take into account, among other things:
- the installations in operation
- substances and mixtures used
- the processes involved and their interactions
- the likelihood and duration of the occurrence of explosive atmospheres in specific locations
- the likelihood of the occurrence of effective ignition sources
- the magnitude of foreseeable explosion effects
The final results of the explosion risk assessment are the absolute basis for deciding on which explosion protection concept to adopt.
Explosion risk assessment – what we offer
We prepare the document based on the requirements specified in the Ministerial Decree on the minimum requirements for occupational safety and health, relating to the possibility of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere in the workplace.
The scope of our work includes:
- determining the purpose of the analysis
- determining the purpose of the installation
- description of the installation
- properties of raw materials
- identification of hazards (ignitable and explosive)
- determination of the probability of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere
- identification of ignition sources:
- hot surfaces
- flame and hot gases (including heated particles)
- mechanical sparks
- electrostatic discharge
- other sources of ignition
- risk assessment
- risk reduction analysis
- summary
- list of provisions cited