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VDL (E3.1) 10/2020 Page 70/196
7. Explosion safety tests before commissioning
This chapter provides instructions for the user to ensure the safety of the system and to meet applicable
regulations. Proper operation is only ensured after the test has been carried out and any necessary
measures implemented.
Follow the provisions on testing explosion protection according to country-specific regulations (for Germany
in particular TRBS 1201 Part 1; this substantiates the requirements of the Industrial Safety Regulation
(BetrSichV) 2015) within the scope of its application.
7.1 Scope of the functional test
The test represents the entirety of all work equipment relevant to explosion protection. This includes the
vacuum drying oven with all safety, control, and regulation devices, related work equipment such as pumps
or other vacuum systems, pump module, extraction devices, and ventilation systems, gas warning devices,
inerting devices including connection elements as well as the installation area with effective devices for
equipotential bonding and any other building components that may be relevant to explosion protection (non-
exhaustive list).
• Before commissioning and after changes requiring review, perform a comprehensive inspection of the
system in its entirety.
• Systems must be checked in their entirety at least every 6 years.
• Tests can also be carried out by an approved monitoring body or by personnel qualified for testing.
Observe relevant regulations for the qualification requirement.
• Devices, protective systems, safety, control and regulating devices according to Directive 2014/34/EU,
connection devices, and interactions with other parts of the system must continue to be checked at least
every three years. Tests of ventilation systems, gas warning and inerting devices must be performed at
least once per year in the future.
• It may be possible to skip recurring tests, e.g. of devices, protective systems, etc., as well as ventilation
systems, gas warning and inerting devices, if a maintenance plan is provided. The full inspection of the
entire system remains unaffected.
7.2 Explosion protection plan
The explosion protection plan to be created by the operator represents the entirety of the technical and
organizational measures for explosion protection determined and specified on the basis of the risk assess-
ment. In accordance with ATEX Operational Directive 1999/92/EC, these measures serve
• to prevent the formation of or to limit explosive atmospheres or to limit hazardous explosive mixtures
• to avoid the combustion of explosive atmospheres
• to limit the spread of an explosion and to minimize its effects on personnel in order to ensure the health
and safety of employees
The explosion protection document serves to document the results of the risk assessment in accordance
with § 6 Para. 9 GefStoffV (for Germany).
The explosion protection document serves to document the results of the risk assessment in accordance
with § 6 Para. 9 GefStoffV (for Germany).
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