EN 1127-2:2014
(Main)Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 2: Basic concepts and methodology for mining
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard specifies methods for explosion prevention and protection in mining by outlining the basic concepts and methodology for the design and construction of equipment, protective systems and components.
This European Standard applies to Group I equipment, protective systems and components intended for use in underground parts of mines and those parts of their surface installations at risk from firedamp and/or flammable dust.
NOTE Detailed information on specific equipment, protective systems and components is contained in the relevant individual standards. Safety-relevant data regarding flammable materials and explosive atmospheres are required for the design and construction of the explosion protection measures.
This European Standard specifies methods for the identification and assessment of hazardous situations that may lead to explosions and describes the design and construction measures appropriate for the required safety. This is achieved by
- risk assessment;
- risk reduction.
The safety of equipment, protective systems, and components can be achieved by eliminating hazards and/or limiting the risk, i.e.
a) by appropriate design (without using safeguarding);
b) by safeguarding;
c) by information for use;
d) by any other preventive measures.
Measures in accordance with a) (prevention) and b) (protection) against explosions are dealt with in clause 6 of this standard, measures according to c) against explosions are dealt with in clause 7 of this standard. Mea¬sures in accordance with d) are not described in this European Standard. They are dealt with in EN ISO 12100:2010, clause 6.
The preventive and protective measures described in this European Standard will not provide the required level of safety unless the equipment, protective systems and components are operated in line with their intended use and are installed and maintained according to the relevant codes of practice or requirements.
This standard is applicable to any equipment, protective systems and components intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. These atmospheres can arise from flammable materials processed, used or released by the equipment, protective systems and components or from materials in the vicinity of the equipment, protective systems and components and/or from the materials of construction of the equipment, protective systems and components.
As shot firing can release potentially explosive atmospheres, this standard is also applicable to the equipment used for shot firing, apart from the explosives and detonators.
This standard is applicable to equipment, protective systems and components at all stages of use.
This standard is not applicable to:
- medical devices intended for use in a medical environment;
- equipment, protective systems and components where the explosion hazard results exclusively from the presence of explosives or unstable chemical substances;
- equipment, protective systems and components where the explosion can result from reaction of substances with oxidising agents other than atmospheric oxygen or by other hazardous reactions or conditions other than atmospheric conditions;
- equipment intended for use in domestic and non-commercial environments where explosive atmospheres may only rarely be created and solely as a result of the accidental leakage of fuel gas;
- personal protective equipment covered by Directive 89/686/EEC; the design and construction of systems containing desired, controlled combustion processes, unless they can act as ignition sources in potentially explosive atmospheres;
- mines where firedamp and/or flammable dust are not naturally present and surface installations such as coal preparation plants, power plants, coke oven plants etc. in which an explosive atmosphere can be present, but which are not part of a coal mine. These are covered by EN 1127-1:2011.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 17-Jun-2014
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-Dec-2014
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 305 - Potentially explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 305/WG 5 - Equipment and protection systems for mining
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 03-Dec-2020
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
- Directive
- Harmonized Standard2006/42/EC - Directive 2006/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery, and amending Directive 95/16/EC (recast)OJ Ref: C, C 054, C 92 OJ Date: 13-Feb-2015
Harmonized Standard2014/34/EU - Directive 2014/34/EU Of The European Parliament And Of The Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (recast)OJ Ref: C, C 126, C 293/52, HARMONIZIRAN OJ Date: 08-Apr-2016
Not Harmonized94/9/EC - Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)OJ Ref: C, C 335 OJ Date: 09-Oct-2015
Overview
EN 1127-2:2014 - "Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 2: Basic concepts and methodology for mining" is a CEN European Standard that defines methods and a structured methodology for preventing and protecting against explosions in mining. It applies to Group I equipment, protective systems and components intended for use in underground mine workings and surface installations exposed to firedamp (methane) and/or flammable dust. The standard supersedes EN 1127-2:2002+A1:2008 and is intended to guide designers, manufacturers and users throughout the equipment lifecycle (design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance).
Key topics and requirements
- Risk assessment & risk reduction: systematic identification and assessment of hazardous situations that may lead to explosions, followed by measures to remove or limit risk.
- Identification of ignition sources (Clause 5): comprehensive listing of potential ignition sources including hot surfaces, flames/hot gases, mechanically generated sparks, electrical equipment, stray currents, static electricity, lightning, RF and optical electromagnetic waves, ionizing radiation, ultrasonics, shock/adiabatic compression, and exothermic reactions/self‑ignition of dusts.
- Design & construction measures (Clause 6): principles to avoid explosive atmospheres and to eliminate or limit ignition sources by appropriate design (prevention), safeguarding (protection) and construction of equipment and protective systems.
- Information for use (Clause 7): mandatory information for commissioning, maintenance, repair, and user training to ensure equipment remains safe in intended use.
- Classification of hazardous atmospheric conditions: guidance on assessing zones and conditions specific to mining environments (firedamp and combustible dust).
- Special provisions: emergency measures, measuring and control systems, and specific requirements for underground mining equipment; shot firing equipment is included except explosives/detonators.
- Annexes: tools for use in explosive atmospheres (Annex B), relations to EU Directives (Annex ZA/ZB) and changes from previous editions.
Practical applications and who uses it
EN 1127-2:2014 is used by:
- Equipment designers and manufacturers of mining machinery and protective systems to ensure explosion-robust design.
- Mine operators and safety engineers for selecting compliant equipment, conducting workplace risk assessments and implementing preventive measures.
- Maintenance personnel and trainers, since correct installation, maintenance and user information are essential for the standard’s effectiveness.
- Notified bodies and conformity assessors when verifying compliance with EU essential requirements (see Annex ZA/ZB).
Practical uses include safe design of electrical and mechanical equipment for gassy or dusty mines, evaluation of ignition risks at transfer points and conveyors, and preparing documentation and training for safe operation.
Related standards
- EN 1127-1:2011 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 1: Basic concepts and methodology (surface industries)
- EN ISO 12100:2010 - Safety of machinery - General principles for design (risk assessment and reduction)
Keywords: EN 1127-2:2014, explosive atmospheres, mining, explosion prevention, explosion protection, firedamp, flammable dust, risk assessment, Group I equipment.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Aug-2012
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Refers
EN 60079-2:2014 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 2: Equipment protection by pressurized enclosure "p" - Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Refers
EN ISO 19353:2019 - Safety of machinery - Fire prevention and fire protection (ISO 19353:2019) - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 1127-2:2014 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Explosive atmospheres - Explosion prevention and protection - Part 2: Basic concepts and methodology for mining". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies methods for explosion prevention and protection in mining by outlining the basic concepts and methodology for the design and construction of equipment, protective systems and components. This European Standard applies to Group I equipment, protective systems and components intended for use in underground parts of mines and those parts of their surface installations at risk from firedamp and/or flammable dust. NOTE Detailed information on specific equipment, protective systems and components is contained in the relevant individual standards. Safety-relevant data regarding flammable materials and explosive atmospheres are required for the design and construction of the explosion protection measures. This European Standard specifies methods for the identification and assessment of hazardous situations that may lead to explosions and describes the design and construction measures appropriate for the required safety. This is achieved by - risk assessment; - risk reduction. The safety of equipment, protective systems, and components can be achieved by eliminating hazards and/or limiting the risk, i.e. a) by appropriate design (without using safeguarding); b) by safeguarding; c) by information for use; d) by any other preventive measures. Measures in accordance with a) (prevention) and b) (protection) against explosions are dealt with in clause 6 of this standard, measures according to c) against explosions are dealt with in clause 7 of this standard. Mea¬sures in accordance with d) are not described in this European Standard. They are dealt with in EN ISO 12100:2010, clause 6. The preventive and protective measures described in this European Standard will not provide the required level of safety unless the equipment, protective systems and components are operated in line with their intended use and are installed and maintained according to the relevant codes of practice or requirements. This standard is applicable to any equipment, protective systems and components intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. These atmospheres can arise from flammable materials processed, used or released by the equipment, protective systems and components or from materials in the vicinity of the equipment, protective systems and components and/or from the materials of construction of the equipment, protective systems and components. As shot firing can release potentially explosive atmospheres, this standard is also applicable to the equipment used for shot firing, apart from the explosives and detonators. This standard is applicable to equipment, protective systems and components at all stages of use. This standard is not applicable to: - medical devices intended for use in a medical environment; - equipment, protective systems and components where the explosion hazard results exclusively from the presence of explosives or unstable chemical substances; - equipment, protective systems and components where the explosion can result from reaction of substances with oxidising agents other than atmospheric oxygen or by other hazardous reactions or conditions other than atmospheric conditions; - equipment intended for use in domestic and non-commercial environments where explosive atmospheres may only rarely be created and solely as a result of the accidental leakage of fuel gas; - personal protective equipment covered by Directive 89/686/EEC; the design and construction of systems containing desired, controlled combustion processes, unless they can act as ignition sources in potentially explosive atmospheres; - mines where firedamp and/or flammable dust are not naturally present and surface installations such as coal preparation plants, power plants, coke oven plants etc. in which an explosive atmosphere can be present, but which are not part of a coal mine. These are covered by EN 1127-1:2011.
This European Standard specifies methods for explosion prevention and protection in mining by outlining the basic concepts and methodology for the design and construction of equipment, protective systems and components. This European Standard applies to Group I equipment, protective systems and components intended for use in underground parts of mines and those parts of their surface installations at risk from firedamp and/or flammable dust. NOTE Detailed information on specific equipment, protective systems and components is contained in the relevant individual standards. Safety-relevant data regarding flammable materials and explosive atmospheres are required for the design and construction of the explosion protection measures. This European Standard specifies methods for the identification and assessment of hazardous situations that may lead to explosions and describes the design and construction measures appropriate for the required safety. This is achieved by - risk assessment; - risk reduction. The safety of equipment, protective systems, and components can be achieved by eliminating hazards and/or limiting the risk, i.e. a) by appropriate design (without using safeguarding); b) by safeguarding; c) by information for use; d) by any other preventive measures. Measures in accordance with a) (prevention) and b) (protection) against explosions are dealt with in clause 6 of this standard, measures according to c) against explosions are dealt with in clause 7 of this standard. Mea¬sures in accordance with d) are not described in this European Standard. They are dealt with in EN ISO 12100:2010, clause 6. The preventive and protective measures described in this European Standard will not provide the required level of safety unless the equipment, protective systems and components are operated in line with their intended use and are installed and maintained according to the relevant codes of practice or requirements. This standard is applicable to any equipment, protective systems and components intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. These atmospheres can arise from flammable materials processed, used or released by the equipment, protective systems and components or from materials in the vicinity of the equipment, protective systems and components and/or from the materials of construction of the equipment, protective systems and components. As shot firing can release potentially explosive atmospheres, this standard is also applicable to the equipment used for shot firing, apart from the explosives and detonators. This standard is applicable to equipment, protective systems and components at all stages of use. This standard is not applicable to: - medical devices intended for use in a medical environment; - equipment, protective systems and components where the explosion hazard results exclusively from the presence of explosives or unstable chemical substances; - equipment, protective systems and components where the explosion can result from reaction of substances with oxidising agents other than atmospheric oxygen or by other hazardous reactions or conditions other than atmospheric conditions; - equipment intended for use in domestic and non-commercial environments where explosive atmospheres may only rarely be created and solely as a result of the accidental leakage of fuel gas; - personal protective equipment covered by Directive 89/686/EEC; the design and construction of systems containing desired, controlled combustion processes, unless they can act as ignition sources in potentially explosive atmospheres; - mines where firedamp and/or flammable dust are not naturally present and surface installations such as coal preparation plants, power plants, coke oven plants etc. in which an explosive atmosphere can be present, but which are not part of a coal mine. These are covered by EN 1127-1:2011.
EN 1127-2:2014 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.230 - Explosion protection; 73.100.01 - Mining equipment in general. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 1127-2:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 1127-2:2002+A1:2008, EN IEC 60079-0:2018, EN 60079-2:2014, EN 14797:2006, EN 1127-1:2011, EN 15089:2009, EN ISO 13849-1:2023, EN 14460:2018, EN ISO 19353:2019, EN ISO 80079-37:2016, EN ISO 12100:2010, EN 13237:2024, EN 14373:2021+A1:2025, EN ISO/IEC 80079-38:2016, EN 15198:2007. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 1127-2:2014 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2006/42/EC, 2014/34/EU, 94/9/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/396, M/BC/CEN/92/45. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
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