What is BS EN 61285 — Safety of analyser houses about?
This European standard helps its user meet the minimum safety requirements for analyser houses and enhance the safety of their workforce.
BS EN 61285 describes the physical requirements for the safe operation of the process analyser measuring system installed in an analyser house (AH) in order to ensure its protection against fire, explosion and health hazards. BS EN 61285 applies for analyser houses with inner and/or external potential explosive atmospheres and it applies to hazards caused by toxic substances or asphyxiant gases. (Refer to national guidelines on toxic hazards.)
Note1: BS EN 61285 does not address facilities where solids (dust, powder, fibres) are the hazard.
Note2: BS EN 61285 does not seek to address all functional safety issues related to analyser houses.
Who is BS EN 61285 — Safety of analyser houses for?
BS EN 61285 on the safety of analyser houses is useful for the following sectors:
- Petroleum
- Chemical processing
- Nuclear energy
Why should you use BS EN 61285 — Safety of analyser houses?
The placement of devices for process analysis in analyser houses is beneficial for technical and economic reasons:
- In order to facilitate appropriate environmental conditions
- To simplify servicing and maintenance issues
- To enable the use of a common infrastructure
Analyser houses are used to protect analyser systems so their readings are not affected. Analyser houses are compact and well-sealed rooms and are prone to toxic fumes, fire hazards, ventilation issues.
BS EN 61285 provides you with guidelines for constructing analyser houses these include design, layout and location selection. BS EN 61285 also provides you with solutions to minimize the risk of explosions through artificial and natural ventilation in the analyser houses. BS EN 61285 also provides safety guidelines for personnel who would work in the analyser houses and highlight safety measures they need to follow while working inside the analyser houses.
Overall, the guidelines of BS EN 61285 help you fulfil minimum safety requirements for analyser houses and enhance the safety of your AH personnel.