Primary explosion protection aims at either substituting or reducing the quantity of the flammable
substances or the atmospheric oxygen to a level
where there is no danger of an explosive mixture
forming.
Increased air supply air flushing through ventilation
can be achieved by structural measures; for example
the open layout of filling stations where the potentially explosive atmosphere is very small.
Replacing the atmospheric oxygen is not an option
for areas where people work.
For this reason the
measures available for such locations are limited to:
– avoidance or restriction of flammable
substances which are capable of forming an
explosive atmosphere
– avoidance or restriction of release of the
flammable substances and therefore
formation of explosive mixtures, both inside and
around fittings/valves,
for example by:
– limiting their concentration
– using enclosures filled with an inert substanc
– natural or artificial ventilation
– concentration monitoring by means of a gas
detection system, which will give an alarm
and/or switch off the system
