Jargon Buster

Quality Assurance Notification -

The continued monitoring of systems and processes in relation to the manufacture of Ex products.

The process by which sources of release of flammable gas, liquid, mist or combustible dust are identified, the frequency and duration of the release(s) is determined and the extent to which the release(s) will travel before they become non-flammable. The area (strictly a volume) is then marked on a drawing showing all the zones and their extents of as given site/location.

DoC or DOC often refers to the Declaration of Conformity, a legally binding declaration by the manufacturer of a product, or the party legally responsible for its certification, that it complies with all the applicable EU / UK Regulations. 

Declaration of Incorporation. is used as a manufacturers declaration for a 'partly completed machinery' under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations.  

Equipment Protection Level.

Level of Protection assigned to equipment based on its likelihood of becoming a source of ignition and distinguishing the differences between explosive gas atmospheres, explosive dust atmospheres, and the explosive atmospheres in mines susceptible to firedamp.

Essential Health and Safety REquirements. 

Equipment intended to be part of Ex Equipment, marked with the symbol “U”, which is not intended to be used alone, and requires additional consideration when incorporated into Ex Equipment.

Mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour, dust, fibres, or flyings which, after ignition, permits self-sustaining propagation.

Factory Acceptance Test/ Testing

A type of protection (Ex d) in which the parts capable of igniting an explosive gas atmosphere are provided with an enclosure which can withstand the pressure developed during an internal explosion of an explosive mixture, and which prevents the transmission of the explosion to the explosive gas atmosphere surrounding the enclosure.

A location with an explosive atmosphere is referred to as a "Hazardous area" in IEC countries and "HAZLOC" in North America.

International Electrotechnical Commission.

Quality Assessment Report -

The continued monitoring of systems and processes in relation to the manufacture of Ex products.

A type of protection (Ex i) based on the restriction of electrical energy within equipment and of interconnecting wiring exposed to the explosive atmosphere to a level below that which can cause ignition by either sparking or heating effects.

Nationally Recognised Test Laboratory

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International.

Classification system of electrical apparatus, based on its maximum surface temperature, related to the specific explosive atmosphere for which it is intended to be used.

Specific measures /standards applied to equipment to avoid ignition of a surrounding explosive atmosphere.