Mechanical & Non-Electrical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessment

Non-electrical equipment is commonly used in the handling and processing of flammable liquids, gases and powders in process industries. Typical equipment includes fans, rotary airlocks, pumps, reactor agitators, screw conveyors, bucket elevators, etc. Such equipment items can generate sources of ignition for flammable atmospheres. Hazardous Area Classification traditionally only addresses the ignition hazard of electrical equipment and is used to manage selection and installation methods of electrical devices. However, mechanical equipment as mentioned above can cause frictional heat or frictional sparks during routine operation or due to equipment-upset conditions. To identify and to eliminate or to control these types of ignition sources, an analysis method that is described as a “Mechanical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessment” (MEIRA) can be used which is also called as Non-electrical Equipment Ignition Risk Assessment (NEIRA).