Explosion Protection Document (EPD)

Legislative requirement of the Gov. Reg. No. 406/2004 Coll.; Section 4; para. 1; d)

The employer is obliged to take technical or organizational measures appropriate to the nature of the operation in the context of applying the principles of prevention and management of explosion risks in the workplace.

Based on the requirements of Gov. Reg. No. 406/2004 Coll. (Section 4; Paragraph 1; d), the employer is obliged to ensure the preparation of written documentation on explosion protection, the content of which is a comprehensive assessment and evaluation of explosion risks at the workplace, including the specification of measures leading to ensuring the required level of operational safety from the perspective of explosion prevention solutions.

The preparation of a EPD is the employer’s legislative obligation.

The main objectives of the EPD are:

  • the evaluation of technological processes and work procedures,
  • the evaluation of the properties of materials and substances,
  • the assessment of the probability of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere and its duration,
  • the classification of spaces into zones with a risk of explosion,
  • the assessment of the probability of occurrence of effective ignition sources of an explosive atmosphere,
  • the proposal of technical and organizational measures to ensure safe operation.

 

The conclusion of well-processed EPD safety documentation must make it clear “what state the evaluated technology/operation is in, and if necessary, what exactly needs to be done to ensure the required level of safety”.

PROTOCOL ON THE DETERMINATION OF EXTERNAL INFLUENCES (PoUVV)

The operator is obliged to have prepared protocols on the determination of external influences in accordance with the annex to ČSN 33 2000-5-51 and other related standards. Proper determination of external influences is the fundamental basis for the appropriate design, construction and subsequent revision of the electrical installation.

There must be a written document on the determination of external influences and on the measures that determine the determined external influences – ​​a protocol on the determination of external influences

The protocol is part of the documentary part of the documentation, which must be stored and presented during periodic or other inspections of electrical equipment throughout the life of the equipment, operation or building.

The list of evaluated external influences is given in Annex A of ČSN 33 2000-5-51 ed.3+Z1+Z2

 

Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOP)

Using a HAZOP study, it is possible to conduct a thorough hazard identification and assessment of potential risks and operational difficulties in industrial processes.

The HAZOP method is based on the idea of ​​deviation analysis, i.e. what could happen if the process deviates from the designed values.

Using a multidisciplinary team and a systematic methodology, HAZOP analysis can help you identify hidden or unexpected hazards at all considered project stages.

What is HAZOP (HAZard and OPerability):

  • a systematic method for identifying possible hazards and potential process operational problems caused by deviations from the design and operational intent,
  • applied to increase traffic safety,
  • the possibility of detecting danger before an emergency scenario occurs,
  • qualitative method based on guiding words and carried out by a multidisciplinary team (HAZOP team),
  • The HAZOP methodology is developed based on/in accordance with the EN 61882 standard.

HAZOP studies can be performed during various project phases for the design of new facilities and modifications to existing facilities, as well as for the review of existing facilities.

Benefits of a HAZOP study:

  • accident prevention
    • identification of emergency scenarios such as: fire / explosion / chemical leak,
    • elimination of impacts on workers and the environment (ecological accidents);
  • prevention of operational outages
    • elimination of economic impacts (including loss of production) and loss of reputation in the market;
  • analysis of the human factor and its impact on safety and operability,
  • improving consumer and investor reputation and credibility,
  • increasing operational performance and improving process efficiency, reliability and quality,
  • possible optimization of downtime (impact on energy consumption) and improvement of production quality.

Safety Integrity Level (SIL)

Part of operational safety and risk management in industry is the determination of functional safety. Functional safety practically means reducing risk through functions that are applied to ensure the safe operation of technology. One of the elements of functional safety is SIL – Safety Integrity Level.

The SIL study is aimed at determining the level of safety in relation to the protection of human health, the environment and property. The SIL level of a safety function is a measure of the probability that the function will bring the process to a safe state when required.

The SIL level is determined for the Safety Instrumented Function (SIF) and then the requirements are applied for the Safety Instrumented System (SIS). SIL is regulated by two main international standards: IEC 61508 and IEC 61511. These standards describe in detail the classification of the SIL level and the subsequent steps for implementing the SIL level, including the requirements for the operation and control of individual safety elements.

The SIL safety level is classified according to the severity of possible consequences into the following categories:

  • SIL 0 / SIL (a) – no SIL rating requirements,
  • SIL 1 – SIL 4 – safety level 1 – 4.

Fire protection documentation

The preparation of basic types of fire protection documentation in accordance with the requirements of Act No. 133/1985 Coll. (Fire Protection Act) and Decree No. 246/2001 Coll. (Fire Prevention Decree).

Below is a brief overview of the basic FP documentation:

  • documentation on the inclusion of activities – Classification of the activities carried out according to the degree of fire hazard (without, with increased, with high),
  • fire regulations – They establish the obligations of persons, prohibitions, orders and the organization of fire protection in the building,
  • fire alarm guidelines – They determine the procedure in the event of a fire, the method of reporting, evacuation and calling fire brigade units,
  • evacuation plan –  Ensures the safe escape of people from the building, contains both textual and graphic parts,
  • FP training documentation –  Records of the training of employees, managers and fire patrols,
  • inspection and maintenance documentation –  Records of inspections of fire extinguishers, FDAS, escape routes and other equipment,
  • fire book –  Central record of all fire protection records in the building,
  • documentation of the preventive fire patrol –  Appointment of patrol members, their duties and method of performing the service,
  • fire safety design documentation (FSDD) –  Technical documentation of the building from a fire safety perspective.

Forensic and expert opinions

 

Forensic and expert opinions in the field of operational and process safety for existing and newly designed technologies and equipment, focusing primarily on the areas listed below:

  • explosion risk analysis,
  • determination of zones with explosion risk,
  • specification of requirements for electrical/non-electrical equipment in hazardous areas,
  • analysis of ignition sources,
  • determining measures to ensure the required level of safety.

Education

Implementation of training and professional seminars as part of the process of professional training and education of employees. 

The specific content and format of the program is always created based on the individual requirements of the clients. This approach ensures process efficiency and optimization of the investments made.

Professional focus of training / seminars:

  • functional safety,
  • process safety,
  • explosion safety,
  • fire safety.