BS 6656:2002

This standard BS 6656:2002 Assessment of inadvertent ignition of flammable atmospheres by radio-frequency radiation. Guide is classified in these ICS categories:

• 33.060.20 Receiving and transmitting equipment
• 13.230 Explosion protection

This British Standard provides guidance on assessing the potential ignition hazard from the inadvertent extraction of energy from electromagnetic fields, propagated from communication, radar or other transmitting antennas to plant where a potentially flammable atmosphere may be present. The frequency range covered by this British Standard is 9 kHz to 60 GHz. This British Standard does not apply to similar hazards arising from electromagnetic fields generated by other means, such as electric storms, electricity generating installations or other radiating electrical equipment, nor does it apply to any hazard arising within telecommunication or other electronic equipment.

NOTE 1 The methods of assessment from 9 GHz to 60 GHz are based on extrapolation of data for frequencies below 9 GHz.

NOTE 2 The ignition of dust is not covered in this British Standard.

This British Standard also provides advice on how to mitigate the hazard in cases where the assessment indicates that a hazard may exist.

This British Standard does not cover the hazards associated with the use of electro-explosive devices (EED) (see BS 6657), or the biological hazards of exposure to RF fields.