IEC 60079-29-1:2016

Explosive atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

IEC 60079-29-1:2016 specifies general requirements for construction, testing and performance, and describes the test methods that apply to portable, transportable and fixed equipment for the detection and measurement of flammable gas or vapour concentrations with air. The equipment, or parts thereof, is intended for use in explosive atmospheres and in mines susceptible to firedamp. This second edition of IEC 60079-29-1 cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 60079-29-1:2007 series and constitutes a technical revision. Refer to the Forward of the document for a listing of the extensive changes between this edition and the previous edition. Keywords: detection and measurement of flammable gas or vapour concentrations with air, explosive atmospheres, mines susceptible to firedamp, explosion hazard
The contents of the interpretation sheets 1 and 2 (2019-04) have been included in this copy.

Atmosphères explosives - Partie 29-1: Détecteurs de gaz - Exigences d'aptitude à la fonction des détecteurs de gaz inflammables

IEC 60079-29-1:2016 spécifie les exigences générales pour la construction, les essais et l’aptitude à la fonction, et décrit les méthodes d’essai qui s’appliquent aux matériels portables, transportables et fixes pour la détection et le mesurage des concentrations de gaz ou de vapeurs inflammables dans l’air. Les matériels, ou parties de ceux-ci, sont destinés à être utilisés dans des atmosphères explosives et dans les mines grisouteuses. Cette deuxième édition de l'IEC 60079-29-1 annule et remplace la première édition de la série IEC 60079-29-1:2007. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Reportez-vous à l'avant-propos du document pour une liste changements importants entre cette édition et l'édition précédente.
Mots clés: détection et le mesurage des concentrations de gaz ou de vapeurs inflammables dans l’air, atmosphères explosives, mines grisouteuses, explosion potentiel
Le contenu des feuilles d'interprétation 1 et 2 (2019-04) a été pris en considération dans cet exemplaire (en anglais seulement).

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Jul-2016
• ICS: 01 - GENERALITIES. TERMINOLOGY. STANDARDIZATION. DOCUMENTATION
• ICS: 29.260.20 - Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres
• Technical Committee: TC 31 - Equipment for explosive atmospheres
• Drafting Committee: MT 60079-29 - TC 31/MT 60079-29
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 15-Sep-2016
• Completion Date: 21-Jul-2016

Relations

• Amended By: IEC 60079-29-1:2016/AMD1:2020 - Amendment 1 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60079-29-1:2007 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 60079-29-1:2007/ISH1:2009 - Intrepretation sheet 1 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH2:2019 - Interpretation Sheet 2 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH1:2019 - Interpretation Sheet 1 - Explosive atmospheres - Part 29-1: Gas detectors - Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 60079-29-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2016-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable
gases
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

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iPad. Vocabulary (IEV) online.

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variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical French extracted from the Terms and Definitions clause of
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and withdrawn publications. collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37, 77, 86 and

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IEC 60079-29-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2016-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable

gases
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 29.260.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-3539-3

 IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60079-29-1
Edition 2.0  2016-07
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

INTERPRETATION SHEET 1
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for
explosive atmospheres.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
31/1456/DISH 31/1462/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

___________
In accordance with Administrative Circular AC/42/2004: New procedures for interpretation of
standards, Annex 2: New text for ISO/IEC Directives (IEC Supplement), there has been a
request for formal interpretation of the Air Velocity test acceptance criterion in the
performance standard IEC 60079-29-1:2016.
Question:
Is the acceptance criteria for the Air Velocity test to be assessed based upon variation from
the 0 m/s reading?
Interpretation:
Some of the performance tests are intended to be an accuracy based assessment from the
applied gas concentration (eg. Short Term Stability and Calibration Curve). Other
performance tests are intended to be a variation based assessment from a known baseline
(eg. Baseline at 20 °C for Temperature test and baseline at 100 kPa for Pressure test).
ICS 29.260.20
– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH1:2019
 IEC 2019
In review of the air velocity acceptance criteria, the format is the same as the Short Term
Stability and Calibration Curve and therefore this is intended to be an accuracy based
assessment.
 IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60079-29-1
Edition 2.0  2016-07
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

INTERPRETATION SHEET 2
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for
explosive atmospheres.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
31/1457/DISH 31/1467/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

___________
In accordance with Administrative Circular AC/42/2004: New procedures for Interpretation of
standards, Annex 2: New text for ISO/IEC Directives (IEC Supplement), there has been a
request for formal interpretation of the required testing for each general purpose test gas for
performance standard IEC 60079-29-1:2016, Subclause 5.3.2 (c), by the Australian National
Committee. The requirement is stated as follows:
c) Methane, and propane or butane for equipment intended for general purpose flammable
gas detection (in order to get representative results, e.g. concerning sensitivity, response
times and drift).
Question:
Is the interpretation of this text that propane or butane required tests are only Calibration and
adjustment (5.4.3), Short-term stability (5.4.4.2), and Time of response (5.4.15)?
ICS 29.260.20
– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH2:2019
 IEC 2019
Interpretation:
No, for general purpose equipment evaluation to two gases is essential in order to get
representative test results. Therefore, all tests need to be conducted for the two gases unless
otherwise specified (e.g. EMC as outlined in IEC 60079-29-1/AMD1:— ).

____________
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC/CCDV 60079-29-1/AMD1:2019.

– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016 © IEC 2016
CONTENTS
FOREWORD. 4
INTRODUCTION . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 General requirements . 15
4.1 Overview . 15
4.1.1 Manufacturer claims . 15
4.1.2 Equipment ratings . 16
4.2 Construction . 16
4.2.1 General . 16
4.2.2 Indicating devices . 16
4.2.3 Alarm signals . 18
4.2.4 Fault signals . 18
4.2.5 Adjustments . 19
4.2.6 Battery-powered equipment . 19
4.2.7 Gas detection transmitter for use with separate gas detection control
units . 19
4.2.8 Separate gas detection control units for use with gas detection
transmitter(s) . 19
4.2.9 Software-controlled equipment . 20
4.3 Marking . 21
4.4 Instruction manual . 21
5 Test methods. 23
5.1 Overview . 23
5.2 General requirements for tests . 24
5.2.1 General . 24
5.2.2 Samples and sequence of tests . 24
5.2.3 Preparation of equipment before testing . 24
5.2.4 Mask for calibration and tests . 25
5.3 Normal conditions for test . 25
5.3.1 General . 25
5.3.2 Test gas(es) . 25
5.3.3 Standard test gas . 26
5.3.4 Flow rate for test gases . 26
5.3.5 Voltage . 26
5.3.6 Temperature . 26
5.3.7 Pressure . 27
5.3.8 Humidity . 27
5.3.9 Acclimation time . 27
5.3.10 Orientation . 27
5.3.11 Communications options . 27
5.3.12 Gas detection equipment as part of systems . 27
5.4 Test methods . 27
5.4.1 General . 27
5.4.2 Unpowered storage . 28
5.4.3 Calibration and adjustment . 28

5.4.4 Stability . 29
5.4.5 Alarm set point(s) . 30
5.4.6 Temperature . 30
5.4.7 Pressure . 31
5.4.8 Humidity of test gas . 31
5.4.9 Air velocity . 31
5.4.10 Flow rate for aspirated equipment . 32
5.4.11 Orientation . 32
5.4.12 Vibration . 32
5.4.13 Drop test for portable and transportable equipment . 33
5.4.14 Warm-up time . 33
5.4.15 Time of response . 34
5.4.16 High gas concentration operation above the measuring range . 34
5.4.17 Battery capacity .
...

IEC 60079-29-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2016-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable
gases
Atmosphères explosives –
Partie 29-1: Détecteurs de gaz – Exigences d’aptitude à la fonction des
détecteurs de gaz inflammables
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé Fax: [phone]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 [e-mail]
Switzerland www.iec.ch
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigenda or an amendment might have been published.

IEC Catalogue - webstore.iec.ch/catalogue Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The stand-alone application for consulting the entire The world's leading online dictionary of electronic and
bibliographical information on IEC International Standards, electrical terms containing 20 000 terms and definitions in
Technical Specifications, Technical Reports and other English and French, with equivalent terms in 16 additional
documents. Available for PC, Mac OS, Android Tablets and languages. Also known as the International Electrotechnical
iPad. Vocabulary (IEV) online.

IEC publications search - www.iec.ch/searchpub IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a 65 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in English and
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical French extracted from the Terms and Definitions clause of
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced IEC publications issued since 2002. Some entries have been
and withdrawn publications. collected from earlier publications of IEC TC 37, 77, 86 and

CISPR.
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also once a month by email. need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service
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Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

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IEC 60079-29-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2016-07
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable

gases
Atmosphères explosives –
Partie 29-1: Détecteurs de gaz – Exigences d’aptitude à la fonction des

détecteurs de gaz inflammables

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.260.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-5030-3

 IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60079-29-1
Edition 2.0  2016-07
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

INTERPRETATION SHEET 1
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for
explosive atmospheres.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
31/1456/DISH 31/1462/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

___________
In accordance with Administrative Circular AC/42/2004: New procedures for interpretation of
standards, Annex 2: New text for ISO/IEC Directives (IEC Supplement), there has been a
request for formal interpretation of the Air Velocity test acceptance criterion in the
performance standard IEC 60079-29-1:2016.
Question:
Is the acceptance criteria for the Air Velocity test to be assessed based upon variation from
the 0 m/s reading?
Interpretation:
Some of the performance tests are intended to be an accuracy based assessment from the
applied gas concentration (eg. Short Term Stability and Calibration Curve). Other
performance tests are intended to be a variation based assessment from a known baseline
(eg. Baseline at 20 °C for Temperature test and baseline at 100 kPa for Pressure test).
ICS 29.260.20
– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH1:2019
 IEC 2019
In review of the air velocity acceptance criteria, the format is the same as the Short Term
Stability and Calibration Curve and therefore this is intended to be an accuracy based
assessment.
 IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60079-29-1
Edition 2.0  2016-07
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

INTERPRETATION SHEET 2
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for
explosive atmospheres.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
31/1457/DISH 31/1467/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

___________
In accordance with Administrative Circular AC/42/2004: New procedures for Interpretation of
standards, Annex 2: New text for ISO/IEC Directives (IEC Supplement), there has been a
request for formal interpretation of the required testing for each general purpose test gas for
performance standard IEC 60079-29-1:2016, Subclause 5.3.2 (c), by the Australian National
Committee. The requirement is stated as follows:
c) Methane, and propane or butane for equipment intended for general purpose flammable
gas detection (in order to get representative results, e.g. concerning sensitivity, response
times and drift).
Question:
Is the interpretation of this text that propane or butane required tests are only Calibration and
adjustment (5.4.3), Short-term stability (5.4.4.2), and Time of response (5.4.15)?
ICS 29.260.20
– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH2:2019
 IEC 2019
Interpretation:
No, for general purpose equipment evaluation to two gases is essential in order to get
representative test results. Therefore, all tests need to be conducted for the two gases unless
otherwise specified (e.g. EMC as outlined in IEC 60079-29-1/AMD1:— ).

____________
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC/CCDV 60079-29-1/AMD1:2019.

– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016 © IEC 2016
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 10
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 General requirements . 15
4.1 Overview . 15
4.1.1 Manufacturer claims . 15
4.1.2 Equipment ratings . 16
4.2 Construction . 16
4.2.1 General . 16
4.2.2 Indicating devices . 16
4.2.3 Alarm signals . 18
4.2.4 Fault signals . 18
4.2.5 Adjustments . 19
4.2.6 Battery-powered equipment . 19
4.2.7 Gas detection transmitter for use with separate gas detection control
units . 19
4.2.8 Separate gas detection control units for use with gas detection
transmitter(s) . 19
4.2.9 Software-controlled equipment . 20
4.3 Marking . 21
4.4 Instruction manual . 21
5 Test methods . 23
5.1 Overview . 23
5.2 General requirements for tests . 24
5.2.1 General . 24
5.2.2 Samples and sequence of tests . 24
5.2.3 Preparation of equipment before testing . 24
5.2.4 Mask for calibration and tests . 25
5.3 Normal conditions for test . 25
5.3.1 General . 25
5.3.2 Test gas(es) . 25
5.3.3 Standard test gas .
...

IEC 60079-29-1 ®
Edition 2.1 2020-03
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable
gases
Atmosphères explosives –
Partie 29-1: Détecteurs de gaz – Exigences d’aptitude à la fonction des
détecteurs de gaz inflammables

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form
or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from
either IEC or IEC's member National Committee in the country of the requester. If you have any questions about IEC
copyright or have an enquiry about obtaining additional rights to this publication, please contact the address below or
your local IEC member National Committee for further information.

Droits de reproduction réservés. Sauf indication contraire, aucune partie de cette publication ne peut être reproduite
ni utilisée sous quelque forme que ce soit et par aucun procédé, électronique ou mécanique, y compris la photocopie
et les microfilms, sans l'accord écrit de l'IEC ou du Comité national de l'IEC du pays du demandeur. Si vous avez des
questions sur le copyright de l'IEC ou si vous désirez obtenir des droits supplémentaires sur cette publication, utilisez
les coordonnées ci-après ou contactez le Comité national de l'IEC de votre pays de résidence.

IEC Central Office Tel.: [phone]
3, rue de Varembé [e-mail]
CH-1211 Geneva 20 www.iec.ch
Switzerland
About the IEC
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is the leading global organization that prepares and publishes
International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies.

About IEC publications
The technical content of IEC publications is kept under constant review by the IEC. Please make sure that you have the
latest edition, a corrigendum or an amendment might have been published.

IEC publications search - webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
The advanced search enables to find IEC publications by a The world's leading online dictionary on electrotechnology,
variety of criteria (reference number, text, technical containing more than 22 000 terminological entries in English
committee,…). It also gives information on projects, replaced and French, with equivalent terms in 16 additional languages.
and withdrawn publications. Also known as the International Electrotechnical Vocabulary

(IEV) online.
IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished

Stay up to date on all new IEC publications. Just Published IEC Glossary - std.iec.ch/glossary
details all new publications released. Available online and 67 000 electrotechnical terminology entries in English and
once a month by email. French extracted from the Terms and definitions clause of
IEC publications issued between 2002 and 2015. Some
IEC Customer Service Centre - webstore.iec.ch/csc entries have been collected from earlier publications of IEC
If you wish to give us your feedback on this publication or TC 37, 77, 86 and CISPR.

need further assistance, please contact the Customer Service

Centre: [e-mail].
A propos de l'IEC
La Commission Electrotechnique Internationale (IEC) est la première organisation mondiale qui élabore et publie des
Normes internationales pour tout ce qui a trait à l'électricité, à l'électronique et aux technologies apparentées.

A propos des publications IEC
Le contenu technique des publications IEC est constamment revu. Veuillez vous assurer que vous possédez l’édition la
plus récente, un corrigendum ou amendement peut avoir été publié.

Recherche de publications IEC - Electropedia - www.electropedia.org
webstore.iec.ch/advsearchform Le premier dictionnaire d'électrotechnologie en ligne au
La recherche avancée permet de trouver des publications IEC monde, avec plus de 22 000 articles terminologiques en
en utilisant différents critères (numéro de référence, texte, anglais et en français, ainsi que les termes équivalents dans
comité d’études,…). Elle donne aussi des informations sur les 16 langues additionnelles. Egalement appelé Vocabulaire
projets et les publications remplacées ou retirées. Electrotechnique International (IEV) en ligne.

IEC Just Published - webstore.iec.ch/justpublished Glossaire IEC - std.iec.ch/glossary
Restez informé sur les nouvelles publications IEC. Just 67 000 entrées terminologiques électrotechniques, en anglais
Published détaille les nouvelles publications parues. et en français, extraites des articles Termes et définitions des
Disponible en ligne et une fois par mois par email. publications IEC parues entre 2002 et 2015. Plus certaines
entrées antérieures extraites des publications des CE 37, 77,
Service Clients - webstore.iec.ch/csc 86 et CISPR de l'IEC.

Si vous désirez nous donner des commentaires sur cette
publication ou si vous avez des questions contactez-nous:
[e-mail].
IEC 60079-29-1 ®
Edition 2.1 2020-03
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable

gases
Atmosphères explosives –
Partie 29-1: Détecteurs de gaz – Exigences d’aptitude à la fonction des

détecteurs de gaz inflammables

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
INTERNATIONALE
ICS 29.260.20 ISBN 978-2-8322-8063-8

IEC 60079-29-1 ®
Edition 2.1 2020-03
CONSOLIDATED VERSION
REDLINE VERSION
VERSION REDLINE
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inside
Explosive atmospheres –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors – Performance requirements of detectors for flammable
gases
Atmosphères explosives –
Partie 29-1: Détecteurs de gaz – Exigences d’aptitude à la fonction des
détecteurs de gaz inflammables

 IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60079-29-1
Edition 2.0  2016-07
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

INTERPRETATION SHEET 1
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for
explosive atmospheres.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
31/1456/DISH 31/1462/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

___________
In accordance with Administrative Circular AC/42/2004: New procedures for interpretation of
standards, Annex 2: New text for ISO/IEC Directives (IEC Supplement), there has been a
request for formal interpretation of the Air Velocity test acceptance criterion in the
performance standard IEC 60079-29-1:2016.
Question:
Is the acceptance criteria for the Air Velocity test to be assessed based upon variation from
the 0 m/s reading?
Interpretation:
Some of the performance tests are intended to be an accuracy based assessment from the
applied gas concentration (eg. Short Term Stability and Calibration Curve). Other
performance tests are intended to be a variation based assessment from a known baseline
(eg. Baseline at 20 °C for Temperature test and baseline at 100 kPa for Pressure test).
ICS 29.260.20
– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH2:2019
 IEC 2019
Interpretation:
No, for general purpose equipment evaluation to two gases is essential in order to get
representative test results. Therefore, all tests need to be conducted for the two gases unless
otherwise specified (e.g. EMC as outlined in IEC 60079-29-1/AMD1:— ).

____________
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: IEC/CCDV 60079-29-1/AMD1:2019.

 IEC 2019
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
IEC 60079-29-1
Edition 2.0  2016-07
EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES –
Part 29-1: Gas detectors –
Performance requirements of detectors for flammable gases

INTERPRETATION SHEET 2
This interpretation sheet has been prepared by IEC technical committee 31: Equipment for
explosive atmospheres.
The text of this interpretation sheet is based on the following documents:
DISH Report on voting
31/1457/DISH 31/1467/RVDISH
Full information on the voting for the approval of this interpretation sheet can be found in the
report on voting indicated in the above table.

___________
In accordance with Administrative Circular AC/42/2004: New procedures for Interpretation of
standards, Annex 2: New text for ISO/IEC Directives (IEC Supplement), there has been a
request for formal interpretation of the required testing for each general purpose test gas for
performance standard IEC 60079-29-1:2016, Subclause 5.3.2 (c), by the Australian National
Committee. The requirement is stated as follows:
c) Methane, and propane or butane for equipment intended for general purpose flammable
gas detection (in order to get representative results, e.g. concerning sensitivity, response
times and drift).
Question:
Is the interpretation of this text that propane or butane required tests are only Calibration and
adjustment (5.4.3), Short-term stability (5.4.4.2), and Time of response (5.4.15)?
ICS 29.260.20
– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016/ISH1:2019
 IEC 2019
In review of the air velocity acceptance criteria, the format is the same as the Short Term
Stability and Calibration Curve and therefore this is intended to be an accuracy based
assessment.
– 2 – IEC 60079-29-1:2016+AMD1:2020 CSV
© IEC 2020
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 9
1 Scope . 10
2 Normative references . 11
3 Terms and definitions . 11
4 General requirements . 16
4.1 Overview . 16
4.1.1 Manufacturer claims . 16
4.1.2 Equipment ratings . 17
4.2 Construction . 17
4.2.1 General . 17
4.2.2 Indicating devices . 17
4.2.3 Alarm signals . 19
4.2.4 Fault signals . 19
4.2.5 Adjustments . 20
4.2.6 Battery-powered equipment . 20
4.2.7 Gas detection transmitter for use with separate gas detection control
units . 20
4.2.8 Separate gas detection control units for use with gas detection
transmitter(s) . 20
4.2.9 Software-controlled equipment . 21
4.3 Marking . 22
4.4 Instruction manual . 22
5 Test methods . 24
5.1 Overview . 24
5.2 General requirements for tests . 25
5.2.1 General . 25
5.2.2 Samples and sequence of tests . 25
5.2.3 Preparation of equipment before testing . 26
5.2.4 Mask for calibration and tests . 26
5.3 Normal conditions for test . 27
5.3.1 General . 27
5.3.2 Test gas(es) . 27
5.3.3 Standard test gas .
...