EN 15794:2009
(Main)Determination of explosion points of flammable liquids
Determination of explosion points of flammable liquids
This European Standard specifies a test method to determine the explosion points of flammable liquids in air. This European Standard applies to flammable liquids at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures in the range from 50 °C to 300 °C.
This European standard must not be applied to explosives or materials which, under the test conditions, are thermally unstable liquids (e.g. polymerizing/oxidizing materials).
Bestimmung von Explosionspunkten brennbarer Flüssigkeiten
Diese Europäische Norm legt ein Prüfverfahren zur Bestimmung der Explosionspunkte in Luft von brennbaren
Flüssigkeiten fest. Diese Norm gilt für brennbare Flüssigkeiten bei Umgebungsdruck und für Temperaturen
von –50 °C bis 300 °C.
Diese Europäische Norm gilt nicht für Sprengstoffe oder Produkte, die unter den Prüfbedingungen thermisch
instabil sind (z. B. polymerisierende/oxidierende Flüssigkeiten).
Détermination des points d'explosion des liquides inflammables
La présente Norme européenne spécifie une méthode d’essai permettant de déterminer les points d’explosion des liquides inflammables dans l’air. Elle s’applique aux liquides inflammables à la pression atmosphérique et à des températures comprises entre 50 °C et 300 °C.
La présente Norme européenne ne doit pas s’appliquer aux explosifs ou matériaux qui, dans les conditions d’essai, sont des liquides thermiquement instables (par exemple, les matériaux polymérisables/oxydants).
Ugotavljanje točk eksplozije vnetljivih tekočin
Ta evropski standard opredeljuje preskusno metodo za ugotavljanje točk eksplozije gorljivih tekočin na zraku. Ta evropski standard velja za gorljive tekočine pri pritisku atmosfere in pri temperaturi v razponu od 50°C do 300°C. Ne sme se uporabljati za eksplozive ali materiale, ki so pod preskusnimi pogoji toplotno nestabilne tekočine (npr. polimerizacijski/oksidacijski materiali).
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 20-Oct-2009
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 01-Dec-2020
- Completion Date
- 23-Sep-2025
Overview - EN 15794:2009 (CEN)
EN 15794:2009 is a CEN European Standard that defines a standardized test method to determine the explosion points of flammable liquids in air. It applies to flammable liquids at atmospheric pressure and temperatures from -50 °C to 300 °C. The standard explicitly excludes explosives and liquids that are thermally unstable under test conditions (for example polymerizing or strongly oxidizing materials). EN 15794 helps ensure comparable, repeatable explosion‑point data for use in hazard assessment, process safety and regulatory compliance.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope & purpose: Measurement of explosion points (lower and upper explosion points) of flammable liquids in air; relationship to flashpoint (explosion point is normally lower than flashpoint; up to ~10 K difference for pure substances and up to ~25 K for mixtures).
- Sample requirements: Pure liquids or defined mixtures should have purity ≥ 99.8 % mol. Process samples of unknown composition must be identified and characterised; guidance on sampling and storage references EN ISO 3170 / 3171 / 15528.
- Test vessel and setup:
- Cylindrical, pressure‑resistant glass vessel (inner diameter 80–100 mm, height 300–500 mm) with tightly fitting lid and vapour purge valves.
- Thermocouples for gas‑phase and liquid measurements (placement and accuracy specified).
- Heating/cooling chamber with air circulation, volume ≥ 10× test volume (>15 L) and air exchange rate ≥ 10 air changes/hour; temperature steps of 1 ± 0.2 K and internal uniformity ≤ 1 K.
- Ignition and detection:
- Spark ignition between pointed electrodes (tip distance 5.0 ± 0.1 mm, tip angle 60° ± 3°).
- High voltage transformer open‑circuit voltage 13–16 kV, short‑circuit current 20–30 mA; spark discharge typically 0.2 s (up to 0.5 s if needed).
- Stirring via magnetic drive; barometer accuracy 0.1 kPa.
- Procedure & safety: Stepwise heating/cooling, observation of flame detachment or temperature rise, verification of apparatus, and Annex A safety guidance. Annex B provides estimation approaches; Annex D covers verification criteria.
Practical applications and users
- Safety engineers and process safety teams assessing explosion hazards and designing ventilation/inerting systems.
- Test and calibration laboratories performing flammability testing for chemicals, fuels and industrial liquids.
- Chemical and petrochemical manufacturers, transport and storage operators, and regulatory bodies evaluating compliance with explosive‑atmosphere directives (e.g., ATEX/94/9/EC references in Annex ZA).
- Product stewardship, classification and labeling (hazard communication), and risk assessments for handling and storage.
Related standards
- EN 13237:2003 (terms and definitions for equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres)
- Sampling standards referenced: EN ISO 3170, EN ISO 3171, EN ISO 15528
Keywords: EN 15794:2009, explosion point, flammable liquids, test method, LEP, UEP, flashpoint, CEN, explosion protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 15794:2009 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Determination of explosion points of flammable liquids". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a test method to determine the explosion points of flammable liquids in air. This European Standard applies to flammable liquids at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures in the range from 50 °C to 300 °C. This European standard must not be applied to explosives or materials which, under the test conditions, are thermally unstable liquids (e.g. polymerizing/oxidizing materials).
This European Standard specifies a test method to determine the explosion points of flammable liquids in air. This European Standard applies to flammable liquids at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures in the range from 50 °C to 300 °C. This European standard must not be applied to explosives or materials which, under the test conditions, are thermally unstable liquids (e.g. polymerizing/oxidizing materials).
EN 15794:2009 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 15794:2009 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2014/34/EU, 94/9/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/BC/CEN/92/46. 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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Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Bestimmung von Explosionspunkten brennbarer FlüssigkeitenDétermination des points d'explosion des liquides inflammablesDetermination of explosion points of flammable liquids13.230Varstvo pred eksplozijoExplosion protectionICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15794:2009SIST EN 15794:2010en,fr,de01-februar-2010SIST EN 15794:2010SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 15794
October 2009 ICS 75.160.20 English Version
Determination of explosion points of flammable liquids
Détermination des points d'explosion des liquides inflammables
Bestimmung von Explosionspunkten brennbarer Flüssigkeiten This European Standard was approved by CEN on 22 September 2009.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels © 2009 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Members. Ref. No. EN 15794:2009: ESIST EN 15794:2010
Safety advice . 12Annex B (informative)
Estimation of explosion points . 13B.1General . 13B.2Pure substances . 13B.3Mixtures of flammable components only . 13Annex C (normative)
Criteria for flame detachment . 15Annex D (normative)
Verification . 16Annex E (informative)
Example for a form expressing the results . 17Annex ZA (informative)
Relationship between this European Standard and the Essential Requirements of EU Directive 94/9/EC . 18Bibliography . 19
Figures Figure 1 — Explosion point apparatus; schematic . 7Figure C.1 — Flame detachment . 15Figure C.2 — Halo (UNDETACHED FLAME) . 15 Tables Table D.1 — Data for verification of the apparatus . 16Table ZA.1 — Correspondence between this European Standard and Directive (Add the reference and title of the Directive) . 18 SIST EN 15794:2010
The flammable liquid may be: a single liquid or a defined mixture of liquids; a process sample (of known or unknown composition). When a pure liquid or a mixture of defined composition is used, the purity of each liquid shall be 99,8 % mol. or better. In the case of a mixture or a process sample of undefined composition the sample should be characterised so that the origin as well as the related process conditions can be identified. 5.1.2 Sampling and Storage Sampling should be carried out if possible according to the procedures given in EN ISO 3170, EN ISO 3171, EN ISO 15528 or an equivalent National Standard. SIST EN 15794:2010
Sample containers are to be kept closed before and after sampling to avoid alterations of the sample (e.g. evaporation of volatile constituents/impurities). 5.2 Apparatus Apparatus see Figure 1 Dimensions in millimetres
Key 1 Heating chamber with air circulation and temperature regulator6 Thermocouple determining the explosion point and checking the equilibrium2 Test vessel
7 Thermocouple for ignition detection and checking equilibrium3 Ignition source (spark)8 Tightly fitting lid allowing for pressure relief4 Electrodes 9 Inlet valve5 Stirrer 10 Outlet valveFigure 1 — Explosion point apparatus; schematic SIST EN 15794:2010
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記事タイトル：EN 15794:2009 - 可燃性液体の爆発点の決定 記事内容：この欧州標準は、空気中で可燃性液体の爆発点を決定するための試験方法を指定しています。この欧州標準は、大気圧で適用され、-50℃から300℃の範囲の温度で可燃性液体に適用されます。ただし、試験条件下で熱的に不安定な液体（例：重合/酸化材料）や爆発物にはこの標準は適用されません。
기사 제목: EN 15794:2009 - 인화성 액체의 폭발점 결정 기사 내용: 이 유럽 표준은 공기 중에서 인화성 액체의 폭발점을 결정하기 위한 시험 방법을 명시하고 있습니다. 이 유럽 표준은 대기압에서 작동하며, -50°C에서 300°C 사이의 온도에서 인화성 액체에 적용됩니다. 그러나 이 표준은 폭발물이나 시험 조건에서 열적으로 불안정한 액체(예: 중합/산화 물질)에는 적용되지 않아야 합니다.
The article discusses the European Standard EN 15794:2009, which outlines a test method for determining the explosion points of flammable liquids in the presence of air. This standard applies specifically to flammable liquids at atmospheric pressure and temperatures ranging from -50 °C to 300 °C. However, it should not be used for explosives or liquids that are thermally unstable under the test conditions, such as polymerizing or oxidizing materials.
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