ATEX-approved torches
Published: 01 January, 2006
A torch can mean the difference between life and death in several ways. A firefighter needs to see where he or she is going when working in a dark environment - but when the atmosphere is also potentially explosive, switching on a normal light can kill you, F&R reports.
Christopher Marino MD of Peli products SA is a man with a mission. “Is your torch correctly certified? Before going into a hazardous area, you need to ask yourself that,” he advises.
A torch can be a harmful tool if it is not used correctly - or used in the wrong place. This means that the firefighter needs to be very aware of the type of area in which he or she is planning to work and of the type of torch that can (and cannot) be used there.
Why are torches required to conform to safety standards?
“Though they seem to be small and innocuous, the lamp and the batteries inside can be a significant source of ignition when used in a hazardous and volatile environment. The lamp filament operates at a very high temperature and some gases will ignite if they come in contact with either the filament or even the glass envelope,” Christopher continues.
“Even the batteries themselves can be a source of ignition, especially if a short-circuit occurs resulting in the generation of a spark. Even the body of a plastic flashlight can build up a significant static-electric charge, and some manufacturers plate their lights with special materials to prevent such build-ups. Such lights are typically referred to as ‘Zone 1/Zone 0’ torches.”
In order to prevent accidents, lighting systems need to be approved to certain safety standards.
There are many of them, including Underwriters Laboratory (UL), Factory Mutual (FM), Canadian Standards (CSA),Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA), and the Australian Board of Approvals (AUS).
Chritopher comments: “In Europe, torches for use in hazardous areas need to be certified to ATEX Safety Standards. Notified bodies certify torches to ensure that they pose no threat of ignition when operating in hazardous locations. By using only approved laboratories, torches are tested to ensure that they will withstand rigorous impact and drop tests, severe environmental exposure, and meet a minimum of IP54 ingress protection.”
The notified bodies test the torches by subjecting them to worst-case scenarios. For example, the spark generated by a short circuit of the batteries is used to determine if it will ignite a chamber of gases where the torch is expected to operate. Only if the gases fail to ignite will the light be certified for operation within that environment.
“The ATEX directives became mandatory in July 2003 and regulate the lighting systems developed by manufacturers and the safety and health protection of workers,” he continues. So what does the Directive actually say?
- ATEX Directive 94/9/EC requires manufacturers to supply ONLY properly certified electrical equipment if that equipment is to be used in potentially explosive areas.
- ATEX Directive, 99/92/EC regulates the requirements for improving safety and health protection of workers who are potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.
ATEX Directive 99/92/EC states that each area must be classified according to its potential for hazardous risk (Category ‘1’, ‘2’ or ‘3’, Zone ‘0’, ‘1’, ‘2’. Only ATEX-certified equipment can be used in these areas.
“Under the old CENELEC regulations (previous safety Directive), hazardous areas were classified into different zones based on the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere. These areas can appear in potential hazardous locations. “With ATEX, electrical equipment is classified by categories. This means that every category corresponds to an area, and each area is classified according to the length of time the flammable material can be present there,” he concludes.
TORCHES CURRENTLY ON THE MARKET:
ADARO
Spanish Torch manufacturer Adaro has launched the Safety Rechargeable Torch Adalit L-10 which is the first real lighting unit specifically designed to be attached to a firefighting helmet - the design has been achieved in collaboration with the main European fire brigades.
“Its ultra-light rechargeable lithium-ion battery will provide light from 3 to 10 hours, depending on the light output level selected. Its extremely reduced weight and size mean it is even lighter than conventional 4AA nonrechargeable torches,” says marketing manager Miguel Millan.
Adalit L-10 torches are based on the new high intensity LED technology. The ‘extra-white’ super LED located within a special collimated lens at the front of the torch features an extremely bright beam capable of illuminating complete working areas, very useful during indoor fire & rescue operations.
A red super LED located at the side of the torch head flashes to indicate and highlight the user’s position; its provides a high penetration in environments with low visibility due to smoke, fog, etc. The user can select the angle of the red LED position by rotating the torch head 180º. This allows the user to attach the torch either to the right or left side of a helmet. The LED can be always switched off at will.
Adalit L-10 also boasts features like battery level indication and low battery warning by means of light flashes, and different levels of light output for enlarging the light duration.
The chargers available suit either single or multiple torches and can be connected to the mains at 110-240V or to a vehicle battery at 12-24V.
For more information www.adaro.es
WOLF SAFETY
“Wolf Safety’s new Rechargeable Safety Torch, is ATEX-approved for use in Zones 1 and 2 explosive gas and dust atmospheres and also carries e ib IIC T4 approval code which complies with English Home Office TB1/1997 breathing apparatus for firefighters,” the spokesman for the company, Ian Riddock, tells F&R.
“This robust, yet compact and ergonomically designed torch weighs only 325g, a fraction of the weight of other competitive safety torches with a similar performance. It incorporates a high efficiency 4-watt halogen bulb, offering two levels of light output and three to seven hours light duration,” he continues.
The state of battery charge is indicated with a bar of high intensity red LEDs which go out one by one as the battery charge diminishes. Towards the end of discharge, the beam flashes off repeatedly, warning that recharging is required.
The company offers chargers with ‘Quick’ (2.5h) or ‘Standard’ (8h) charge rates, configured to run from vehicle voltages, or via the mains with a suitable transformer.
For more information, visit: www.wolfsafety. co.uk
