This European Standard specifies a test method that is designed to produce measurements of explosion pressure and the maximum explosion pressure, the rate of explosion pressure rise and the maximum rate of explosion pressure rise of a quiescent flammable gas/air/inert mixture in closed volume at ambient temperature and pressure. In this European Standard, the term "gas" includes vapours but not mists. Detonation and decomposition phenomena are not considered in this European Standard.

The pressures and rates of pressure rise measured by the procedures specified in this European Standard are not applicable to flameproof enclosures, that is enclosures intended to withstand an internal explosion and not to transmit it to an external explosive atmosphere, or any other closed volume where the internal geometry can result in pressure piling. Even in an enclosure of relatively simple geometry the disposition of the internal components can lead to rates of pressure rise significantly higher than those measured using this European Standard. This European Standard does not apply to the design and testing of flameproof enclosures in conformity with EN 13463‑6 (for non-electrical equipment) and EN 60079‑1 (for electrical equipment).