Overview
EN ISO/IEC 80079-38:2016/A1:2018 is the CEN-adopted amendment to ISO/IEC 80079-38, titled Explosive atmospheres - Part 38: Equipment and components in explosive atmospheres in underground mines. It defines the normative framework for equipment and components intended for use in underground mines where methane (grisou/firedamp) or other potentially explosive atmospheres may occur. Amendment A1 (approved January 2018, published May 2018) includes informative Annex ZA that maps this standard to EU legislation for conformity presumption.
Key topics and requirements
This standard focuses on requirements relevant to safe design, assessment and use of mining equipment in explosive atmospheres. Major technical topics include:
- Scope and normative references - defines the applicability for underground mine equipment and the other standards to be applied together (notably EN ISO 80079-36 and EN 60079-0 as indicated in Annex ZA).
- Design and construction considerations - principles to reduce ignition risk of equipment and components used underground.
- Documentation, marking and instructions - requirements for technical documentation, limits of use and user information needed to maintain safety in potentially explosive atmospheres.
- Assessment and testing references - guidance for demonstrating conformity through testing, inspection and operation limits (see normative clauses referenced in Annex ZA).
- Relationship to EU directives - Annex ZA and ZB relate the standard to Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX) and Directive 2006/42/EC (Machinery), providing a presumption of conformity when the standard is cited in the Official Journal of the EU.
Note: this amendment endorses the ISO/IEC text without modification and is published in English, French and German.
Practical applications and users
This standard is intended for practical use by:
- Manufacturers and designers of electrical and mechanical equipment/components for underground mines (ICS 29.260.20, 73.100.30).
- Mine operators and maintenance teams specifying and maintaining equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
- Conformity assessment bodies, test laboratories and notified bodies assessing compliance with ATEX (Directive 2014/34/EU) and machinery safety requirements.
- Procurement and safety engineers seeking standardized criteria for safe equipment selection, marking and user instructions.
Using this standard helps demonstrate compliance with European regulatory requirements and supports risk reduction for methane/firedamp hazards in subterranean mining environments.
Related standards
- EN ISO 80079-36 (general requirements for non-electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres)
- EN 60079-0 (general requirements for electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres)
- Reference to these standards is required for full application and for presumption of conformity under EU directives.
