Research regarding the electrification risk of materials, technical equipment and appearance of electrostatic discharges in the presence of explosive atmospheres

Abstract

The electrification process of the materials and technical equipment’s, especially the external parts of them, frequently occur during their use, being sometimes an intrinsic process, such as for example flowing of a flammable liquid through a pipe. The electrification process of materials and technical equipment’s is responsible for generating, through specific mechanisms, significant quantities of electrostatic charges. The presence of electrostatic charges on materials and technical equipment’s, used in areas with explosive atmospheres as a result of the electrification process can lead to electrostatic discharges occurrence, which in the presence of an explosive atmosphere may cause an explosion and/or fire. The purpose of the paper is the analyze of essential safety and health requirements applicable to technical equipment’s and materials intended for use in areas with explosive atmospheres in order to identify and establish technical and organizational measures, by their application can eliminate the risk of electrification, the occurrence of electrostatic discharges and consequently the risk of an explosion and/or fire may be reduced.