Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries

Preventing fires and
explosions from
spreading to other
parts of the workplace
Minimising the
numbers of workers/
other people who may
be at risk
Providing plant and
equipment that can
safely contain or
suppress an explosion,
or vent it to a safe place
Table 6 Mitigating the
effects of fire, explosion etc
Area classification (zoning)
Health and Safety
Executive
277 Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the basis of the likelihood
and duration of an explosive atmosphere (the figures 0, 1 and 2 apply to gases,
vapours and mists; 20, 21 and 22 to dusts):
Zone 0/20 – present continuously/for long periods/frequently;
Zone 1/21 – is likely to occur in normal operation, but only occasionally;
Zone 2/22 – is not likely to occur normally/for short periods only.
Selection of equipment (protection from sources of ignition)
278 Both electrical and mechanical equipment used in the zones must meet
the requirements of the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use
in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 (EPS). 31 However, if the
equipment was in use before July 2003 you can continue to use it, provided the
risk assessment shows it is safe to do so and it is maintained in good condition.
The following equipment categories apply to the zones:
n
n
n
Zone 0/20 – Category 1 equipment;
Zone 1/21 – Category 1 or 2 equipment;
Zone 2/22 – Category 1, 2 or 3 equipment.
279 Examples of equipment in MVR that might need protection include lighting
(fixed and portable, including low-voltage or battery-operated), hand-held drills,
grinders, polishers etc, paint spray equipment and drying lamps.
Do store petrol, paints, solvents and gas cylinders in safe places in the open air if
possible, or in storerooms which are in safe positions or are fire-resisting structures
Do provide at least half-hour, fire-resistant isolation for spray booths/rooms and
any storage area inside occupied buildings
Do provide adequate and safe means of escape in case of fire
Don’t allow unauthorised people into zoned areas, eg spray booths/rooms or
inspection pits
Do provide and maintain explosion-relief panels where required, eg on dust
collection plant or direct-fired drying/curing ovens working at temperatures over
80 ºC, and on some ovens in which the air is recirculated. They should be easy to
lift, eg by hand pressure
Marking of entry points into zones
280 ‘Ex’ warning signs should be displayed at the entrances to zoned areas, for
example flammable stores and spray booths. Supplementary signs may be used to
help highlight the risk.
Providing anti-static clothing
281 Employees who work in zoned areas should be provided with appropriate
clothing that does not create a risk of an electrostatic discharge igniting an
explosive atmosphere.
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