Other Standardised Laboratory Tests

The test laboratory at GexCon also offers a wide range of standardised tests for the determination of the ignition and explosion properties of gases and vapours in addition to tests performed in the dust explosion laboratory. A number of tests are also available to test the electrostatic properties of materials.  By knowing such properties for materials handled in your plant or process, or used in your products, allows the necessary safety precautions to be taken to prevent explosions or reduce their consequences.

Manufacturers of flammable gases and liquid products are obliged to know the ignition and explosion properties of their products and submit them to thier customers as part of the information given in their product Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

  

The test laboratory also provides specialist advice and assists when GexCon is performing accident investigations and explosion risk analyses since, only when the ignition and explosion properties of the material(s) being handled are known, can the exposion risk inside a process plant be evaluated properly.

Examples of standardised tests for gases, liquids and electrostatics that are perfomred at GexCon are:

• Conductivity of Liquids. This test measures the conductivity of liquids which allows for their electrostatic charging properties to be evaluated.
• Auto Ignition Temperature of Vapours (AIT). The Auto Ignition Temperature of a vapour material is used to assess ignition hazards of gases and vapours. The test is performed in a heated vessel into which the test sample is introduced. The temperature and sample concentration is varied until the threshold of ignition is determined.
• Drop Test for Hand-held Tools. This test is performed in accordance with the requirements of the EN 13463-1 standard and is usually performed as part of the assessment process for the safety and conformity evaluation of tools and equipment intended for use within potentially explosive atmospheres in terms of the ATEX 94/9/EC directive.
• Mechanical Impact Test. Another test performed according to the EN 13463-1 standard for mechanical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. This test assesses the rubustness of equipment and its resistance to damage following external mechanical impact. Again it is usually performed as part of equipment evaluation in terms of the ATEX "product" directive 94/9/EC. 
• Electrostatic Brush Discharge Characteristics. This is also another standard test, performed in accordance with the EN13463-1 standard for mechanical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The electrostatic charging and discharging characteristics of non-conducting materials are tested by charging or rubbing the materials and measuring the charge content of any subsequent brush dicharges that are produced when the samples are discharged using a round, earthed, electrode.

If you require any help or advice concerning laboratory testing at GexCon, please contact any of the following: