Approved Product News - FM Global

A World of Change (continued)
classification system into the 1996
National Electric Code ¨ (NEC ¨ ) can
be found in Approved Product News,
Volume 14, Number 3, 1998, which is
available online at:
http://www.fmglobal.com/education_
resources/online_catalog/apn.html
Ludlam, who chairs one ISA standards
subcommittee, believes that eventually
the world will rely on a single intrinsic
safety standard, but weÕre not quite
there yet. ÒThere are still significant
differences between how intrinsic
safety is interpreted in Europe and in
the U.S.,Ó Ludlam stresses. ÒFor
instance, when we look at simple
apparatus, we at Factory Mutual
Research take a much more conservative
approach to it. We do not believe
that simple apparatus should not
include more than a single, simple
component for instance a switch, or an
LED. In Europe, a simple apparatus
can include several components
including batteries and semiconductors.
ThatÕs not a simple apparatus
anymore, in our view.Ó
10 Approved Product Newss
Confidence Building
ÒFactory Mutual Research is heavily
involved in the IEC (International
Electrotechnical Commission),Ó
Stafford says. ÒThe IEC standards are
usually adopted word-for-word by
CENELEC (European Committee for
Electrotechnical Standardization).
Knowing that the folks at Factory
Mutual Research sit on or even head
various standards committees does
give you a certain level of confidence.
I certainly appreciate the amount of
work it takes to keep up on global
developments.Ó
According to Rich Allen, the principal
engineer for product safety and
approvals engineering in HoneywellÕs
Industrial Automation & Control
division, ÒIn order to operate as an
international authority, Factory Mutual
Research has to participate on these
international standards groups.
ÒI sit on several ISA subcommittees in
the U.S. along with representatives
from Factory Mutual Research. I can
tell you that the input we get from
Factory Mutual Research as a result of
their work with international standards
groups like the IEC has been invaluable.
You need that. As a manufacturer,
the same is true. Factory Mutual
Research acts as a consultant to us,
advising us on whatÕs coming down
the pike in the area of international
standards.Ó
Factory Mutual ResearchÕs Frank
McGowan is careful to point out
that the standards development and
refinement process takes patience.
ÒItÕs important to recognize that this
process takes years and years. We
worked on zone classification
standards in ISA subcommittees for
at least four years. Our standards on
gas detectors took 12 years to put
into place.Ó