SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006
(Main)Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids - Classification and specification - Guidelines on selection for the protection of safety, health and the environment
- Abstract
This Technical Report gives guidance on the achievement of compliance with Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) by the selection of fire-resistant fluids or by other means. It includes consideration of the selection of fluids with lower levels of fire resistance and of mineral oil, with appropriate additional safety measures, where this option may be considered to be most satisfactory during operation.
This Technical Report is concerned with assessing the fire resistance, health properties and effects on the environment, but does not cover requirements for their general physical and chemical properties, which are detailed in EN ISO 12922.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 31-Dec-2005
- Technical Committee
- NAD - Petroleum products, lubricants and related products
- Current Stage
- 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
- Start Date
- 01-Jan-2006
- Due Date
- 01-Jan-2006
- Completion Date
- 01-Jan-2006
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 is the Slovenian standard based on CEN/TR 14489:2005, published by SIST. It gives guidance on selecting fire-resistant hydraulic fluids, or other protective measures, to help achieve Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) for safety, health and the environment. It is written for suppliers, equipment users and designers who need to choose a hydraulic fluid for a specific operating situation.
What does SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 specify?
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 gives guidance on choosing fire-resistant hydraulic fluids to support compliance with EHSR, including cases where a lower fire-resistance fluid or mineral oil may be used with extra safety measures. The document focuses on fire resistance, health properties and environmental effects, and leaves the general physical and chemical requirements to EN ISO 12922.
The Technical Report is organised into:
- Scope, normative references, terms and definitions
- General requirements
- Classification of fire-resistant fluids
- Compliance with EHSR
- Hazard identification, risk estimation, hazard control and continuity of properties
- Informative annexes with examples, tests and monitoring guidance
| Annex | What it covers |
|---|---|
| A | Examples of local regulations for approval and use of hydraulic fluids |
| B | Fire-resistance tests and guidance on performance |
| C | Examples of fire risk assessment procedures for hydraulic fluids |
| D | Tests suitable for monitoring the condition of hydraulic fluids in service |
What are the key requirements of SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006?
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 treats fluid selection as part of a broader safety decision, not just a fire-resistance check. In practice, the chosen fluid has to fit the hazard, the machine, the workplace and any local approval rules.
Selecting the fluid and proving compliance
Clause 4 says fire-resistant fluids should be selected only after assessing whether they are the best way to reduce fire risk. The standard also allows the use of other safety measures, or a combination of measures and fluid selection, when that gives a better overall result.
Clause 6 says that where national approval schemes or local regulations apply, suppliers and users should submit the fluid to the relevant certification body. That matters because local rules can override the CEN guidance for use in a country or sector.
Clause 6.3 lists the information needed for a compliance assessment: the operating circumstances, the required service performance, identified hazards including foreseeable misuse and failure conditions, Health and Safety Data Sheets, test results for fire resistance and health and environmental effects, and disposal or waste-treatment information. In practice, this means the buyer or engineer needs product data and system data before a choice can be justified.
How the standard classifies fluids
Clause 5 points to the EN ISO 6743-4 classification for fire-resistant fluids. It groups them into aqueous and anhydrous families, with categories such as HFAE, HFAS, HFB, HFC, HFDR and HFDU. The classification matters because the fluid family tells you the basic composition, the usual type of hydraulic duty and which fire tests are relevant.
Clause 5 also states that fire resistance is established by standard test protocols, and that if a test for a particular use is not included in EN ISO 12922, other suitable fire-resistance test data may be used subject to local regulations. That gives users some flexibility, but only when the alternative test is relevant to the actual hazard.
What hazards have to be checked
Clause 7 requires identification of fire hazards, ignition sources, consequences of combustion, health hazards and environmental hazards. The document specifically considers spray ignition, ignition of fluid on absorbent material, ignition of pools or streams, degradation of fire resistance in service, and contamination with more combustible substances.
It also requires attention to ignition sources such as sparks, flames, electric arcs, hot surfaces, friction, static electricity and other workplace heat sources. In practice, this means the machine and the workplace have to be examined together, not separately.
For health, Clause 7 covers acute oral toxicity, skin and eye irritation, inhalation of aerosols and thermal decomposition products, and longer-term effects such as allergic reactions. For the environment, it covers escape during storage, transport, use and disposal, including effects on water and soil.
How risk is estimated and controlled
Clause 8 requires the severity and likelihood of harm to people, property and the environment to be estimated for each use case. EN 1050 is the main reference for that process. The practical result is a ranked view of risk, so the team can decide whether a fluid change, machinery design change or added fire protection is needed.
Clause 9 says hazard control can come from a less hazardous fluid, from other safety measures, or from both. It lists examples such as shielding the fluid from ignition sources, fire suppression systems, smaller fluid volumes, removal of ignition sources and lower pressures. It also notes that no single fire test covers every release scenario, so more than one test may be needed.
Clause 10 requires the fluid to keep meeting the needed safety standard throughout its service life. Monitoring and maintenance are part of compliance, because water loss, contamination, phase separation or additive degradation can reduce fire resistance over time.
What terms does SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 define?
- Safety - freedom from unacceptable risk.
- Risk - the combination of how likely harm is and how severe that harm would be.
- Harm - injury to people, damage to health, property or the environment.
- Hazard - a potential source of harm.
- Risk assessment - the full process of risk analysis and risk evaluation.
- Risk analysis - the systematic use of available information to identify hazards and estimate risk.
- Fire resistance - the ability of a fluid to perform its duty in standard fire resistance tests.
- Fire-resistant - having fire resistance according to one or more standard test methods.
Who uses SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006?
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 is used by suppliers of hydraulic fluids, machinery manufacturers, equipment users, and people responsible for safety, health and environmental decisions. It is also relevant to certification bodies and authorities where approval schemes or local regulations apply.
In practice, it helps with fluid selection for hydraulic systems in sectors where fire risk matters, including underground mining, casting plants, mine roof supports, steel plant systems and other hydraulic installations. Buyers and quality managers use it to check whether a candidate fluid has the right fire resistance, health profile and environmental profile for the intended use.
What changed in SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 from the previous edition?
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 is identical to CEN/TR 14489:2005.
Which standards are used with SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006?
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 relies on several standards and related documents to support selection, testing and monitoring:
- EN 1050 - gives the general principles for risk assessment used in the compliance approach.
- EN ISO 2592 - provides the Cleveland open cup flash point method for checking ignition-related behaviour.
- EN ISO 6743-4 - provides the hydraulic fluid classification used for the main fluid families.
- EN ISO 12922 - sets the specifications for several fire-resistant hydraulic fluid categories and is the main companion specification.
- EN ISO 14935 - covers the wick flame persistence test used for fluid soaked into absorbent material.
- ISO 3448 - provides viscosity classification used in the fluid categories.
- ISO 7745 - gives guidelines for the use of fire-resistant hydraulic fluids.
- EN ISO 15029-1, prEN ISO 15029-2, EN ISO 20823 and DIN 51794 - are used in Annex B for spray ignition and hot-surface ignition assessment.
- EN ISO 3170 - is referenced in Annex D for manual sampling of service fluids.
- ISO 15380 - is cited in the text for readily biodegradable hydraulic fluids when environmental impact is being considered.
What does the SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 document contain?
The document contains a classification table for the main fire-resistant hydraulic fluid families and their typical applications, plus guidance on how to match fluid type to use. It also contains a structured hazard analysis covering fire, health and environmental issues, together with a risk-estimation approach based on EN 1050.
Annex B describes several standard fire-resistance tests and explains what each one tells the user about spray ignition, flame persistence and hot-surface ignition. Annex C adds a flowchart, event-tree logic, simplified risk methods and a detailed tunnel boring machine example showing how fire risk can be assessed in a real installation. Annex D lists service-condition tests such as viscosity, neutralisation number or pH, water content, insolubles and microbial infestation, which are used to monitor whether the fluid still meets the safety basis chosen during selection.
Relations
- Refers
SIST ISO 7745:1997 - Hydraulic fluid power -- Fire-resistant (FR) fluids -- Guidelines for use - Effective Date
- 25-Aug-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
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
- Effective Date
- 09-Feb-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 is a technical report published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids - Classification and specification - Guidelines on selection for the protection of safety, health and the environment". This standard covers: This Technical Report gives guidance on the achievement of compliance with Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) by the selection of fire-resistant fluids or by other means. It includes consideration of the selection of fluids with lower levels of fire resistance and of mineral oil, with appropriate additional safety measures, where this option may be considered to be most satisfactory during operation. This Technical Report is concerned with assessing the fire resistance, health properties and effects on the environment, but does not cover requirements for their general physical and chemical properties, which are detailed in EN ISO 12922.
This Technical Report gives guidance on the achievement of compliance with Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) by the selection of fire-resistant fluids or by other means. It includes consideration of the selection of fluids with lower levels of fire resistance and of mineral oil, with appropriate additional safety measures, where this option may be considered to be most satisfactory during operation. This Technical Report is concerned with assessing the fire resistance, health properties and effects on the environment, but does not cover requirements for their general physical and chemical properties, which are detailed in EN ISO 12922.
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 75.120 - Hydraulic fluids. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST ISO 7745:1997, SIST EN ISO 14935:2020, SIST EN 1050:2000, SIST EN ISO 12922:2020, SIST EN ISO 6743-4:2015, SIST EN ISO 2592:2017, SIST EN 12101-6:2005, SIST EN ISO 8780-3:1997, SIST EN 60947-5-1:2005/A1:2009, SIST EN 60694:2001/A1:2002, SIST EN 62271-1:2009, SIST EN 60947-5-1:2005, SIST EN 60255-25:2002, SIST EN 60255-22-3:2008, SIST EN 60255-22-3:2002. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 92/104/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/238. 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.
SIST-TP CEN/TR 14489:2006 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2006
+LGUDYOLþQHWHNRþLQHRGSRUQHSURWLRJQMX±5D]YUVWLWHYLQVSHFLILNDFLMD±6PHUQLFH
]DL]ELURYDURYDQMDYDUQRVWL]GUDYMDLQRNROMD
Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids - Classification and specification - Guidelines on selection
for the protection of safety, health and the environment
Schwer entflammbare Druckflüssigkeiten - Klassifikation und Spezifikation -
Auswahlleitlinien zur Wahrung der Sicherheit, der Gesundheit und des Umweltschutzes
Fluides difficilement inflammables - Classification et spécification - Principes directeurs
de sélection de fluides et de considération des risques de sécurité et d'environnement
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TR 14489:2005
ICS:
75.120 +LGUDYOLþQLIOXLGL Hydraulic fluids
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
TECHNICAL REPORT
CEN/TR 14489
RAPPORT TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHER BERICHT
October 2005
ICS 75.120
English Version
Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids - Classification and specification -
Guidelines on selection for the protection of safety, health and
the environment
Fluides difficilement inflammables - Classification et Schwerentflammbare Druckflüssigkeiten - Klassifikation
spécification - Principes directeurs de sélection de fluides und Spezifikation - Auswahlrichtlinien ur Gewährleistung
et de considération des risques de sécurité et von Sicherheit, Gesundheit und Umweltschutz
d'environnement
This Technical Report was approved by CEN on 24 September 2005. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 19.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TR 14489:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
Foreword .3
Introduction.4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions.5
4 General requirements .6
5 Classification of fire-resistant fluids .7
6 Compliance with essential health and safety requirements (EHSR).8
7 Hazard identification.10
8 Risk estimation .13
9 Hazard control measures .14
10 Continuity of properties .16
Annex A (informative) Examples for local regulations applying to the approval and use of
hydraulic fluids .17
Annex B (informative) Fire-resistance tests and guidance on performance.18
Annex C (informative) Examples of fire risk assessment procedures for hydraulic fluids .22
Annex D (informative) Tests suitable for monitoring the condition of hydraulic fluids in service.35
Bibliography.37
Foreword
This CEN Technical Report (CEN/TR 14489:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 19
“Petroleum products, lubricants and related products”, the secretariat of which is held by NEN.
This document has been prepared under mandate M/238 given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association along with other standards on fire-resistant hydraulic fluids to be
complementary to the regulatory measures contained in various EU Directives.
The mandated work of CEN/TC 19 is to develop European Standards for specifications and testing conditions
applicable to fire-resistant hydraulic fluids.
Introduction
The function of this Technical Report is to provide suppliers and users of equipment guidance on how
compliance with the essential health and safety requirements (EHSR's) incorporated in both Product (Article
95) and User (Article 137/138) Directives issued by the European Union may be achieved in respect of the
use of fire-resistant hydraulic fluids. It builds upon the guidance provided in EN 1050 on the principles of risk
assessment. EN 1050 in turn supports Directive 92/104/EEC [1].
The document was considered necessary because the specialised nature of fire-resistant fluids and the tests
used to quantify their properties may not in general be familiar to prospective machinery manufacturers and
users. Because several Directives deal with the prevention of fire it is necessary to consider other aspects in
addition to the tests used to quantify fire properties.
The use of fire-resistant hydraulic fluids is a fire protection measure. A fire occurs if combustible materials or
explosive gases, oxygen and an ignition source are all present at the same time. If there is a danger of an
ignition source being present when hydraulic installations are in use, one method of improving safety may be
to replace more combustible mineral oil by a fire-resistant hydraulic fluid. Fire-resistant fluids provide fire
protection. Their use, however, shall not jeopardise other safety measures as, in addition to requirements for
fire resistance, there are additionally requirements for assessing effects on the health of workers and,
increasingly, on potential effects on the environment. Guidance on the information needed is contained in this
Technical Report.
IMPORTANT — This document does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with
the use of hydraulic systems. It is concerned with the use of fire-resistant fluids as a means of
reducing the risk of fire. It is the responsibility of the user of this document to establish appropriate
safety and health practices to reduce other safety risks and to determine the applicability of regulatory
regimes.
1 Scope
This Technical Report gives guidance on the achievement of compliance with Essential Health and Safety
Requirements (EHSR) by the selection of fire-resistant fluids or by other means. It includes consideration of
the selection of fluids with lower levels of fire resistance and of mineral oil, with appropriate additional safety
measures, where this option may be considered to be most satisfactory during operation.
This Technical Report is concerned with assessing the fire resistance, health properties and effects on the
environment, but does not cover requirements for their general physical and chemical properties, which are
detailed in EN ISO 12922.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1050:1996, Safety of machinery - Principles for risk assessment.
EN ISO 2592, Determination of flash and fire points – Cleveland open cup method (ISO 2592:2000).
EN ISO 6743-4, Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (class L) – Classification – Part 4: Family H
(Hydraulic systems) (ISO 6743-4:1999).
EN ISO 12922, Lubricants, industrial oils and related products (class L) - Family H (Hydraulic systems) -
Specifications for categories HFAE, HFAS, HFB, HFC, HFDR and HFDU (ISO 12922:1999, including
Technical Corrigendum 1:2001)).
EN ISO 14935, Petroleum and related products – Determination of wick flame persistence of fire-resistant
fluids (ISO 14935:1998).
ISO 3448, Industrial liquid lubricants - ISO viscosity classification.
ISO 7745, Hydraulic fluid power – Fire-resistant (FR) fluids – Guidelines for use.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this Technical Report, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
safety
freedom from unacceptable risk
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999]
3.2
risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm and the severity of that harm
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999]
3.3
harm
physical injury or damage to the health of people, or damage to property or the environment
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999]
3.4
hazard
potential source of harm
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999]
3.5
hazardous event
event that can cause harm
3.6
safety measure
means that eliminates a hazard or reduces a risk
3.7
risk assessment
overall process comprising a risk analysis and a risk evaluation
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999]
3.8
risk analysis
systematic use of available information to identify hazards and to estimate the risk
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999]
3.9
risk evaluation
procedure based on the risk analysis to determine whether the tolerable risk has been achieved
[ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999]
3.10
environmental properties
chemical or physical properties of a hydraulic fluid which may interact with the environment
3.11
fire resistance
ability of a fluid to fulfil an expected duty in standard fire resistance tests
3.12
fire-resistant
having the property of fire resistance according to one or more standard test methods
4 General requirements
In circumstances where it is necessary to use hydraulic fluids, an assessment is needed as to whether fire-
resistant fluids may be the best option for reducing the risk of fire starting and spreading. Where fire-resistant
fluids are chosen they shall make an overall contribution towards improving safety. Hence they shall not only
meet requirements for fire resistance but also for the protection of the health of workers and the environment
and, shall not jeopardise other safety measures that may be in use. The primary reason for selecting fire-
resistant fluids is to protect against the risk of fire: protection of the environment may be achieved by methods
other than the properties of the fluids.
In some countries in the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) governments
operate approval schemes for hydraulic fluids or impose local regulations, which require that particular levels
of performance be met in specific tests to allow fluids to be used in certain industrial situations (see Annex A).
Compliance with these schemes and regulations is considered by the regulatory authorities in those countries
to constitute compliance with the appropriate EU Directives for the application of hydraulic fluids. It should be
noted that such regulations take precedence over CEN standards, and potential suppliers and users of
hydraulic fluids should establish whether approval schemes or local regulations exist.
Annex A contains a list of the countries that operate approval schemes for hydraulic fluids or impose local
regulations.
Fire-resistant hydraulic fluids shall conform to the specifications laid down for the various industries by the
European Authorities and/or the certification authorities of each member state according to the risks arising in
each industry, distinguishing if necessary between installations giving rise to greater or lesser hazards.
Certification shall be carried out with reference to the specifications and standards issued by the European or
national authorities and should be based on the tests contained in Annex B and C of this Technical Report.
5 Classification of fire-resistant fluids
Table 1 lists the main categories of fire-resistant fluids as found in EN ISO 6743-4, their compositions and
applications.
Fire-resistant fluids in accordance with EN ISO 6743-4 are hydraulic fluids which are classified as fire-resistant
in accordance with particular fire test procedures. They achieve their fire resistance either because they
contain water or because their chemical composition confers fire resistance. Only water and fire-resistant
fluids of type HFA with water content above 90 % are considered to be non-combustible. Fire-resistant fluids
do, however, require a substantially greater input of energy to cause ignition than conventional mineral oil
hydraulic fluids and may not sustain combustion after leaving the ignition source.
The level of fire resistance shall be established by the use of a range of standard protocols (for guidance see
Annex B). In the event that a test representing the particular circumstance of use is not included in
EN ISO 12922 then data from other fire-resistance tests having adequate precision may be invoked, subject to
local regulations.
Table 1 — Categories of fire-resistant fluids, their compositions and applications according to
EN ISO 6743-4
a
Type Composition Typical applications and operating
b
temperature range
Symbol
e
1. AQUEOUS FLUIDS
b
HFAE Oil-in-water emulsions. Emulsifying oil Hydraulic systems in continuous
content less than 20 % by mass and casting plant, mine roof supports.
typically in the range 1 % to 5 % by
Operating temperature range 5 °C to
mass.
50 °C.
c
HFAS Chemical solutions in water. Hydraulic systems in continuous
Concentrate content less than 20 % casting plant, mine roof supports.
by mass and typically 1 % to 5 % by
Operating temperature range 5 °C to
mass.
50 °C.
HFB Water-in-oil emulsions. Mineral oil Hydrostatic systems in coal mines.
content approximately 60 % by mass,
and Operating temperature range 5 °C to
“LT” designation indicates emulsions
50 °C.
that are stable at low temperatures
HFB LT
HFC Water polymer solutions. Water Hydrostatic systems in steel plant and
content not less than 35 % by mass coal mines.
Operating temperature range –20 °C
to 50 °C.
2. ANHYDROUS FLUIDS
HFDR Synthetic fluids containing no water Hydrodynamic couplings, operating
and consisting of phosphate esters temperature up to 150 °C and
hydrostatic transmissions, operating
temperature range –20 °C to 70 °C.
d
HFDU Synthetic fluids containing no water Hydrostatic transmissions operating
and of other composition temperature range –20 °C to 70 °C.
a
Viscosity grade according to ISO 3448. The viscosity grades most commonly encountered are 32, 46, 68 and 100.
b
See ISO 7745 for additional information.
c
The viscosity of HFAE and HFAS fluids that contain 95 % or more of water is very close to that of water and is usually
not measured. These fluids are given the viscosity 1.
d
Fluids that fall within the HFDU category are defined imprecisely with respect to their chemical compositions. The most
widely used group of fluids that currently fall within this classification are the synthetic esters.
e
Water-containing fluids should not be used when processing magnesium, as explosive gases maybe formed.
6 Compliance with essential health and safety requirements (EHSR)
6.1 General
Where national approval schemes or local regulations exist (Annex A) and where compliance with these
schemes or regulations is considered by the regulatory authorities to constitute compliance with the
appropriate EHSR’s given in EU Directives for the application of the hydraulic fluid, suppliers and users shall
ensure that hydraulic fluids are submitted to the appropriate bodies for certification.
Where approval schemes or local regulations do not exist or where compliance with them does not constitute
compliance with the appropriate EU Directives, compliance with the EHSR’s may be achieved by:
either
• the selection of hydraulic fluids that have fire-resistance, health and environmental properties appropriate
to the circumstances of use;
or
• the use of other safety measures in conjunction with, or instead of, certain fire-resistance, health and
environmental properties.
Selection of the optimum safe system can be achieved by adopting a risk assessment approach according to
the principles in EN 1050.
6.2 Need for detailed information
Because the water content and chemical composition of fire-resistant fluids may vary, not only from type to
type, but also from one product to another within a type, levels of fire resistance, health effects and
environmental properties may also vary. It follows that a fluid that is suitable for use in one circumstance and
provides compliance with the EHSR’s may not be suitable for other applications.
The initial step towards compliance with the EHSR’s is to carry out a logical examination of the circumstances
in which both the hydraulic fluid and the system are to be used so that the hazards that are present may be
determined (see Clause 7). Following this, an assessment is carried out to identify the consequences of the
hazards in terms of the possible effects of the occurrence of the hazardous event on people, property and the
environment (see Clause 8) so that the safety measures that need to be taken to control or to eliminate the
hazards or to reduce risks can be determined. These safety measures may include, but may not be confined
to, the use of fire-resistant fluids (see Clause 9).
It shall be remembered that other hazards that are not dealt with in this standard may exist and shall be the
subject of separate risk assessments. Annex A of EN 1050:1996 gives examples of hazards, hazardous
situations and events.
6.3 Information needed
The following basic information is needed for compliance assessment.
a) Circumstances of use for both the hydraulic fluid and the system so that the EHSR’s contained in the
Directives that are relevant to those circumstances may be ascertained.
b) Performance required of the hydraulic fluid in service by the end user or equipment manufacturer.
c) Determination of all hazards associated with the use, including foreseeable misuse (see Clause 7) and
foreseeable failure conditions.
d) Health and Safety Data Sheets for candidate hydraulic fluids.
e) Performance of candidate hydraulic fluids in appropriate tests to assess fire resistance, effects on health
and effects on the environment (see Clause 9).
f) Information on procedures for the disposal and waste treatment of candidate fluids.
It is also desirable to have available the following information.
g) Any experience with certified fire-resistant hydraulic fluids in the particular use or in similar circumstances.
h) Any experience in the particular use with other hydraulic fluids of the same chemical type as that under
consideration.
i) Any experience with other hydraulic fluids in the particular use or in similar circumstances.
j) Any accident history and any information regarding damage to health or the environment.
Directive 67/548/EEC [3] (as amended by the Seventh Amendment 92/32/EEC [4]) and Directive
1999/45/EC [5] require suppliers of all substances to provide Health and Safety Data Sheets on their products
that give information relating to the health and safety of persons and the effect of the product on the
environment. Requirements for the general structure and content of Health and Safety Data Sheets are set
out in Directive 91/155/EEC [6] (as amended by Directive 93/112/EC [7]).
The Directive requires the data sheets to:
indicate the presence of components that have adverse health effects;
give appropriate risk and safety phrases;
identify the hazards that the product presents both to persons and to the environment;
provide information on first aid measures, fire-fighting, exposure controls and personal protection;
provide toxicological and ecological information.
NOTE 1 The data sheets may not contain all of the information needed to comply with the EHSR’s and to allow control
of all of the hazards that are identified in Clause 7 and that might be associated with hydraulic fluids.
NOTE 2 It is desirable at this stage to consider the use of hydraulic fluids that contain recycled components or readily
biodegradable fluids (see ISO 15380 [8]) in order to minimise the impact on the environment where technical requirements
permit.
7 Hazard identification
7.1 Fire hazards
The fire hazards potentially present in the situation under examination shall be determined.
The following fire hazards are directly related to the use of hydraulic fluids under fault conditions.
a) Ignition of combustible vapours produced by hydraulic fluid.
b) Ignition of hydraulic fluids ejected under pressure from hydraulic systems in the form of a spray.
c) Ignition of hydraulic fluid spilled during transport or leaking from hydraulic systems on to absorbent
material such as lagging or combustible dust and the subsequent propagation of fire along the absorbent
material.
d) Ignition of a fluid stream or pool.
e) Ignition of hydraulic fluids when the fire resistance has been reduced by chemical or physical changes in
the fluid caused by service operation.
EXAMPLE 1 Reduction of fire resistance due to evaporation or separation of the water content which provides fire
resistance for some types of fluid.
f) Ignition of fire-resistant fluid contaminated with more combustible substances.
EXAMPLE 2 Contamination of fire-resistant fluid by mineral oil where system changeover procedures for the
conversion to the use of fire-resistant fluid have not been made correctly.
NOTE EN 1710 [9], which contains specifications for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive
atmospheres in mines, contains provisions for an allowed maximum temperature of machine surfaces, which are limited
not to exceed 150 °C.
7.2 Sources of ignition
The ignition sources potentially present in the situation under examination shall be determined.
Sources of ignition such as spark, flames, electric arcs, high surface temperatures, acoustic energy, optical
1)
radiation and electromagnetic waves are potentially present in underground mines They are also likely to be
present in other work situations. Possible situations in which these sources of ignition may occur are given
below. The list shall not be taken as being exhaustive:
discharge of static electricity;
stray electric currents or discharges from malfunctioning electricity supply equipment, which could
produce overheating of surfaces or sparks capable of causing ignition;
friction between moving surfaces or the entrapment of foreign bodies between moving surfaces caused,
for example, by failures of mechanical plant, causing localised overheating;
high surface temperatures in the workplace arising from the presence of molten materials or materials
undergoing high temperature manufacturing operations;
high surface temperatures present in the braking systems, transmissions, or exhausts of internal
combustion engines;
use of smoking or other materials that may be contraband in some industrial situations;
existing fires caused by the ignition of other combustible materials in the workplace.
Other ignition sources that may be present include open flames, welding spatter and sparks from grinding
operations. The importance of long periods of exposure to low grade sources of heat, which may, for example,
remove water from water-containing fluids, shall be considered.
7.3 Consequences of combustion
The risk assessment shall take account of the consequences of combustion in terms of obscuration of exits,
increased escape times, exposure to toxic products, local high temperatures and the possibility of the spread
of fire.
Combustion may result in:
• the production of smoke and/or steam, which may obscure exits and result in longer escape times;
• the production of toxic gases, the effects of which will depend on the nature of the products, the local
ventilation and escape conditions;
• high local temperatures, which may result in personnel being engulfed in flame or suffering immobilisation
due to burns; and
1) These sources of ignition have been identified in European Council Directive 92/104/EEC.[1]
• the spread of fire.
7.4 Health hazards
The principal hazards to health, that shall be considered in relation to the use of hydraulic fluids, are the
following.
a) Acute oral toxicity.
b) Irritant effect on the skin.
c) Irritant effect on the eyes.
d) Inhalation toxicity of the fluid as an aerosol.
e) Inhalation toxicity of thermal decomposition products.
f) Allergic reactions or other results of repeated or long-term exposure.
g) Filter self-rescuers. These are provided to workers for protection against the presence
of carbon monoxide in the event of fire. In some countries, possible blocking of these self-rescuers is
considered as an additional hazard.
Some or all of these hazards may be present in industries other than mining. The health hazards potentially
present in the situation under examination shall be determined.
7.5 Environmental hazards
The possibility of escape of hydraulic fluid into the environment during storage, transport, use or disposal shall
be determined so that the environmental hazards potentially present may be considered and appropriate
system design modifications made, if necessary.
If hydraulic fluids escape into the environment or are not disposed of in a proper manner, they may potentially
have effects on:
• water-toxicity to aquatic organisms, including:
potential to bioaccumulate;
depletion of oxygen content;
persistence in the environment (biodegradability).
• soil-potential to contaminate groundwater and sources of drinking water, including:
potential to bio-accumulate,
persistence in the environment (biodegradability).
They are unlikely to have effects on air unless thermal decomposition occurs in the event of an accidental
exposure to a heat source, when the effect will be local to the combustion.
Hydraulic fluids can escape into the environment during transport, storage or use. It is important, therefore,
that the correct types of storage tanks and vessels for transportation are used and are correctly identified to
indicate the contents. Means of transporting fluids should be appropriate to minimise the likelihood of escape
into the environment. Measures such as collection trays to avoid spillage during filling should be considered.
Separate and properly labelled tanks should be used for the collection of waste fluids intended for
reprocessing or disposal.
Local regulations may require particular aspects of environmental impact to be considered, including storage,
transport, use and disposal.
NOTE Readily biodegradable fire-resistant hydraulic fluids of the type HFA, HFC, HFDR and HFDU are available. The
HFDU products are similar to HEES products, which are in accordance with specification ISO 15380 [8].
8 Risk estimation
The possible risks associated with the hazards identified in Clause 7 shall be estimated for each situation of
use of hydraulic fluid so that the control measures needed for those hazards may be identified. EN 1050
contains detailed guidance on risk estimation, i.e. evaluating the consequences of hazards.
Consideration shall be given to the following.
a) The severity of harm that a hazard may cause to persons, property or the environment.
b) If the harm is caused to persons, the numbers involved and the extent of the harm e.g. slight (reversible),
serious (irreversible) or death.
c) The probability of occurrence of that harm which is a function of the frequency and duration of exposure to
the hazard, the probability of occurrence of the hazardous event and the possibilities to avoid or limit the
harm.
EXAMPLE
The consequences of a fire where:
escape is relatively easy;
limited numbers of persons may be exposed to the harm;
exposure may be intermittent;
the consequences of exposure to the hazard may be slight;
may be judged to be far less serious in terms of the harm that may be caused to persons than a similar fire in a restricted
environment such as a tunnel or an underground mine where:
escape is difficult;
potentially all of the workforce underground may be exposed to the effects of fire;
potential exposure is over an extended period;
the consequences of exposure to the hazard may include death.
Experience with hydraulic fluids in the particular use or in similar circumstances, accident histories and information
regarding damage to health that might be available will assist in evaluating the probability of occurrence of harm.
9 Hazard control measures
9.1 General
Hazard control may be achieved by selecting a fluid that is less hazardous, or by the use of other safety
measures, e.g. mechanical fire protection equipment (safeguarding), or by a combination of these two.
The determination of what is “less hazardous” is achieved by subjecting fluids to a variety of criteria as defined
in 9.2, 9.3 and 9.4, the results of which give some measure of their fire resistance, health effects and
environmental properties. The level of fire resistance of a fluid, i.e. the primary safety measure, considered to
be necessary may depend on whether secondary safety devices, e.g. fire suppression systems, are available
at the site of application. Similarly, the health effects considered acceptable may vary depending on, for
example, the risk of exposure, or the availability of protective clothing and washing facilities.
For the purpose of the fire hazard assessment process, if information to the contrary is not available it shall be
assumed that the fluid performs no better than mineral oil. For all industrial situations it is advisable to carry
out a final assessment to determine whether compliance with the EHSR’s has been achieved after
considering all of the performance requirements.
9.2 Control of fire hazards
The reduction of fire hazards may be achieved in a number of ways, including:
• use of fire-resistant fluids;
• design of machinery e.g. to prevent access of hydraulic fluid to ignition sources (see ISO 4413);
• provision of fire suppression systems that can reduce the hazards;
• use of smaller volumes of hydraulic fluids;
• removal of potential ignition sources;
• combinations of some or all of these; and
• lower pressures.
NOTE 1 Lower system pressures can reduce the hazard by decreasing the mechanical stress on the system and by
reducing the amount of fluid escaping. However, as a fluid release may still occur with subsequent ignition, the use of this
technique by itself to reduce the hazards is not recommended.
To assist in the reduction of fire hazards, by selecting the optimum fire-resistant fluid, information can be
obtained from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, the following:
well-established and standardised laboratory fire tests that are used to assess fluid performance;
large and small scale tests representative of specific circumstances of use;
expert judgement based on information from other sources e.g. fire chemistry and toxic nature of products
of combustion;
operational experience e.g. levels of performance that have been found acceptable in some industrial
situations.
It is important to realise that no single fire resistance test can provide a full assessment of the fire resistance
of a fluid. Consideration shall be given to a range of tests that are appropriate to the hazards identified for a
particular application. The range of standardised fire resistance tests currently available does not cover all
possible release scenarios and ignition sources (see Clause 5).
Annex B contains information on a number of fire resistance tests that are currently standardised either in
CEN or ISO, together with levels of performance in these tests that have been found to be satisfactory in
particular circumstances.
NOTE 2 Fire resistance tests are not required for HFA fluids where they contain more than 90 % of water.
Examples of how the above approach may be applied are given in Annex C.
9.3 Control of health hazards
9.3.1 General
The following methodology has been found satisfactory to establish whether a fluid represents a health hazard
in the conditions under which it is likely to be used.
a) Review of all the available toxicological data on the base stocks and additives present, including safety
data sheets.
b) Examination of the results of tests carried out when it has been found necessary to carry these out
because of inadequate data.
c) Examination of reports on the health of persons who have been in contact with the fluid during
manufacture or testing.
This methodology is equally applicable to situations other than mines.
The following paragraphs provide information to facilitate the use of this methodology. It should be noted that
freedom from toxicity shall only be demonstrated by the presence of appropriate data; the absence of data
cannot be taken to indicate that toxic effects are not present. If data are not present appropriate tests shall be
carried out.
9.3.2 Review of available data
The review of the available toxicological data shall include the performance of and experience with fluids of
similar chemical composition. Directives 67/548/EEC [3] and 98/24/EC [10] (including their subsequent
additions and amendments such as 92/69/EC) may be used to determine the necessary data which can assist
in the evaluation of a fluid.
9.3.3 Test procedures
In the majority of cases it is possible to use the information supplied under the requirements of Directives
67/548/EEC [3] (including their subsequent additions and amendments) and Directive 98/24/EC [10] to give
the necessary information. Other appropriate tests may be invoked when data from other sources are
considered inadequate.
The test methods are based on those described in European Council Directive 67/548/EEC [3], but other
methods regarded as more stringent and more specific to exposure conditions in mines are included. For
example, three particular areas of concern in mines and other extractive industries were identified.
a) Skin irritation - the possibility of extended and widespread skin contact and the general unavailability of
washing facilities underground.
b) Aerosol toxicity - the escape of fluids under high pressure into the breathing zone of workers.
c) Toxicity of thermal decomposition products of fluids, where the possibility of escape of persons from the
working place is limited.
The test methods in the annex of Directive 67/548/EEC [3] do not address the hazards presented by aerosol
toxicity or by thermal decomposition products. If these hazards are considered to be present, other
appropriate recognised test methods may be used.
9.3.4 Effects of long term exposure
Test methods are available to examine the potential for allergic reactions or other long-term effects of
exposure to the fluid and its degradation products (see 67/548/EEC [3]). This information may also be
available as a result of long-term use in other applications.
9.4 Control of environmental hazards
Where the risk assessment has indicated that hazards to the environment potentially exist because of the
escape during storage, or transport, or use, or because of the improper disposal of fluids, the environmental
impact of candidate fluids shall be examined so that the need for measures to control possible environmental
contamination can be determined.
The suppliers’ Health and Safety Data Sheets should provide information on the potential environmental
hazards presented by their products in terms of the hazards identified in 7.5.
NOTE 1 As a minimum, data on the relevant physico-chemical properties of fluids and on acute fish toxicity should be
examined to assess environmental impact. Part A of the annex to European Council Directive 67/548/EEC [3] describes
test methods for the generation of data on physico-chemical properties relevant to the environmental hazard assessment.
Part C of that annex [3] contains guidelines for the conduct of acute fish toxicity studies.
NOTE 2 The guidelines in the annex to Directive 67/548/EEC [3] and Directive 87/302/EEC [11], Part C, are suitable
for assessing biodegradability, as defined in Directive 91/325/EEC [12].
NOTE 3 Procedures for the determination of bioaccumulation in and elimination from fish are described in OECD
Guidelines, protocols 305A – 305E [13].
Local regulations may impose restriction on compositions or usage of hydraulic fluids.
10 Continuity of properties
The properties of hydraulic fluids may change with service operation and the safety standards considered
necessary from the risk assessment may not be met after a period of use. For example, the fire resistance of
water-containing fluids may be reduced by the evaporation of the aqueous phase, HFB fluids can split into
individual water and oil phases, fluids can become contaminated with mineral oil and some HFD fluids can
contain polymeric thickeners which may degrade with use, having an adverse effect on fire resistance.
Hydraulic fluids shall continue to meet the safety standards considered necessary from the assessment and
the appropriate test requirements given in Clause 9 during the whole of their operational life.
Appropriate fluid monitoring and maintenance routines will assist in ensuring that this requirement is met.
Annex E lists tests that are appropriate for monitoring the condition of hydraulic fluids in service. These tests
do not necessarily provide direct measures of the primary properties, such as fire resistance, of a fluid but
provide measures of fluid condition that may be related to the primary properties. Advice shall be sought from
fluid manufacturers/suppliers on appropriate tests to monitor the relevant properties.
Annex A
(informative)
Examples for local regulations applying to the approval and use of
hydraulic fluids
The following list contains existing local regulations, which will, in all cases, override standards and other
advisory documents. This list does not purport to be exhaustive. The national regulations can be more
stringent than necessarily required by the corresponding European Directives.
A.1 Regulations in France
NOTE To be put in at a later stage
A.2 Regulations in Germany
§ 15 of "Allgemeine Bundesbergverordnung (ABBergV)", October 23, 1995 (BGBl I S. 1466), gives
directions for underground work places in mines;
"Bergverordnung zum gesundheitlichen Schutz der Beschäftigten" (Gesundheitschutz- Bergverordnung –
GesBergV), July 31, 1991 (BGBl I S 1751), gives directions for non mineral oil based hydraulic fluids
BGR 137 "Regeln für Sicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz beim Umgang mit Hydraulikflüssigkeiten"
(formerly ZH 1/215 April 1997), issued by "Berfusgenossenschaftliche Zentrale für Sicherheit und
Gesundheit (BGZ)
A.3 Regulations in the United Kingdom
NOTE To be put in at a later stage
Annex B
(informative)
Fire-resistance tests and guidance on performance
B.1 Introduction
This annex is intended to provide information on the range of ISO/CEN standardized fire test methods that are
available to assist in the evaluation of the suitability of a fluid for a particular application.
In the event that a test representing the particular circumstance of use is not included in EN ISO 12922, then
data from other tests appropriate to the hazard and with adequate precision may be invoked, subject to local
regulations.
The use of particular test methods to assess the fire hazard in a given situation may not be necessary where
the hazard assessment procedure has indicated that:
• machine design is such that fluid is effectively shielded from ignition sources;
• there are no sources of ignition present;
• the volume of fluid is small and the hazard resulting from ignition is low; and
• additional safety measures such as fire suppression systems are installed to control this hazard and
provide a safe situation.
B.2 Ignition of a spray of fluid
B.2.1 Test description
B.2.1.1 Available test methods
Three methods of test, which involve attempting to ignite a spray of fluid under defined conditions, have been
developed to control the fire hazard caused by the ignition of a spray of fluid:
a) Spray ignition test - Hollow cone nozzle method,
set out in EN ISO 15029-1 [14];
b) Spray ignition test with screen,
set out in NF E48-618 [15];
c) Spray ignition test - Stabilised flame heat release method,
to be developed as EN ISO 15029-2 [16];
Performance in Hollow cone nozzle method is not necessarily related to performance in the other two
methods.
B.2.1.2 Spray ignition test - Hollow cone nozzle method
This method provides a pass or fail criterion based on persistence of burning.
B.2.1.3 Spray ignition test with screen
In this method results are expressed as rating 1, 2 or 3. The fluid shall achieve rating 1 or 2 in five consecutive
tests.
B.2.1.4 Spray ignition test - Stabilised flame heat release method
In this method the ignitability of the fluid is measured by the amount of heat it releases. An ignitability factor
(the Ignitability Index, RI) is calculated on the basis of the heat released by the burning fluid spray. In addition
it is possible to measure smoke production (the Optical Density of Smoke Index, D) and flame length (the
Flame Length Index, RL).
B.2.2 Performance of spray ignition tests
B.2.2.1 General
Different spray tests produce varying forms of output. Many produce pass/fail criteria based on a
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