EN 13478:2001

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2002
9DUQRVWVWURMHY3UHSUHþHYDQMHSRåDUDLQYDURYDQMHSUHGQMLP
Safety of machinery - Fire prevention and protection
Sicherheit von Maschinen - Brandschutz
Sécurité des machines - Prévention et protection contre l'incendie
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 13478:2001
ICS:
13.110 Varnost strojev Safety of machinery
13.220.01 Varstvo pred požarom na Protection against fire in
splošno general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 13478
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
December 2001
ICS 13.110; 13.220.01
English version
Safety of machinery - Fire prevention and protection
Sécurité des machines - Prévention et protection contre Sicherheit von Maschinen - Brandschutz
l'incendie
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 3 October 2001.
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 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 Management Centre has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, 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
© 2001 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13478:2001 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
page
Foreword.2
Introduction .4
1 Scope .6
2 Normative references .6
3 Terms and definitions.6
4 Requirements for hazard identification .9
4.1 General.9
4.2 Combustible materials .10
4.3 Oxidizers.10
4.4 Ignition sources .10
5 Requirements for risk assessment .10
5.1 General.10
5.2 Risk analysis .11
5.3 Risk evaluation.12
5.4 Risk reduction .12
6 Requirements for technical fire prevention and protection measures for machinery .12
6.1 General.12
6.2 Design/engineering measures.12
6.3 Use of integrated fire detection and fire fighting systems .13
6.4 Additional measures.13
6.5 Information for use .13
7 Requirements for the selection and design of technical fire prevention and protection
measures .14
7.1 Procedure .14
7.2 Decisions on technical fire prevention and protection measures.16
7.3 Selection of integrated fire detection and fire fighting systems in relation to the expected harm.16
7.3.1 General.16
7.3.2 Injury to persons.16
7.3.3 Damage to property/environment .16
7.4 Safety considerations.19
7.5 System parts.19
7.6 Fire extinguishing agents .19
8 Operating conditions.20
Annex A (informative) Examples of ignition sources .21
Annex B (informative) Example for the design of an extinguishing system integrated in machinery.23
Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or other
provisions of EU Directives. .24
Bibliography .25
Foreword
This European Standard has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 114 "Safety of machinery", the
secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical text or
by endorsement, at the latest by June 2002, and conflicting national standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by
June 2002.
This European Standard has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative annex ZA, which is an integral part of this standard.
In this standard the annexes A and B are informative.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
The safety of machinery against fire involves fire prevention and protection and fire-fighting. In general, these
include technical (Figure 1, column 1), structural (Figure 1, column 2), organizational (Figure 1, column 3), works
(Figure 1, column 4) and public fire fighting (Figure 1, column 5) measures. Effective fire safety of machinery can
require the implementation of a single measure or a combination of measures.
CEN and CENELEC are producing a set of standards to assist designers, manufacturers and other interested
bodies to interpret the essential safety requirements in order to achieve conformity with European Legislation.
Within this series of standards CEN has undertaken to draw up a standard to give guidance in the field of fire
prevention and protection, as hazards from fire are to be considered in accordance with 4.8 of EN 292-1:1991.
This European Standard was drawn up on request and by mandate of CEC and EFTA to fulfil the Council Directive
on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to machinery (98/37/EC) which demands in its
Annex I, 1.5.6 that machinery shall be so designed and constructed to avoid any risk of fire.
In accordance with EN 292-1 it is a type B standard.
CEN/TC 114 has a mandate in this area to produce A-type and B-type standards, which will allow verification of
conformity with the essential safety requirements.
Fire risk reduction measures
Fire prevention and protection Fire fighting
1 3 4 5
Technical measures Organizational Works Public
Structural features
for machinery measures fire fighting fire fighting
of buildings
construction
design/engineering
materials and
measures
fire brigade
fire prevention and
trained personnel
components
protection regulation
integrated fire fighting
fire sections
and fire detection
complex separation alarm plans fire extinguishing
works fire brigade
systems
agent
fire extinguishing
pre-fire alarm
predetermined fire
distance between
agent
etc.
systems
plan
buildings
fire alarm systems
fire safety
escape routes
etc.
advisor
manually released
approach ramps
extinguishing
etc.
and set up areas for
equipment and
fire brigades
systems
fire water supply and
automatically released
containmentmeasures
extinguishing systems
smoke and
heat control
system
additional measures
smoke and heat
information for use
protection installations
Figure 1 — Fire risk reduction measures
1 Scope
This European Standard specifies methods of identification of the fire hazard resulting from machinery and the
performance of a corresponding risk assessment. It specifies the basic concepts and methodology of technical
measures for fire prevention and protection to be taken during the design and construction of machinery. The
purpose of this European Standard is to reach the required safety level according to the intended use of the
machinery by applying technical measures for machinery (see Figure 1, column 1). Technical measures are mainly
integrated in the machinery and they are preferably implemented by use of safety components as defined in
Directive 98/37/EC.
This European Standard is applicable to the machinery given in the Council Directive of 22 June 1998 on the
approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery (98/37/EC). The exclusions given in this
Directive are also relevant to this European Standard.
This European Standard does not cover machinery designed to contain controlled combustion processes (e.g.
internal combustion engines, furnaces), unless these processes may constitute the ignition source of a fire in other
parts of the machinery or outside of this.
2 Normative references
This European Standard incorporates by dated or undated reference, provisions from other publications. These
normative references are cited at the appropriate places in the text, and the publications are listed hereafter. For
dated references, subsequent amendments to or revisions of any of these publications apply to this European
Standard only when incorporated in it by amendment or revision. For undated references the latest edition of the
publication referred to applies (including amendments).
EN 292-1:1991, Safety of machinery — Basic concepts, general principles for design — Part 1: Basic terminology,
methodology.
EN 292-2, Safety of machinery — Basic concepts, general principles for design — Part 2: Technical principles and
specifications.
EN 1050, Safety of machinery — Risk assessment.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this European Standard, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
combustibility
property of a material capable of burning
NOTE Accurate assessment of the combustibility characteristics of a material will depend on the operational conditions of
the machinery and the form of the material (e.g. shavings, dusts).
3.2
combustible
capable of burning with or without flame
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.3
combustion
exothermic reaction of a substance with an oxidizer, generally accompanied by flames and/or glowing and/or
emission of smoke
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.4
damaging fire
fire which causes harm to people, buildings, machinery and/or environment
3.5
fire extinguishing agent
agent which is appropriate to extinguish fire
3.6
fire protection
measures such as design features, systems, equipment, buildings, or other structures to reduce danger to persons
and property by detecting, extinguishing or containing fires
[ISO 8421-1]
3.7
fire prevention
measures to prevent the outbreak of a fire and/or to limit its effects
[ISO 8421-1]
3.8
fire load
sum of the calorific energies which could be released by the complete combustion of all the combustible materials
involved in the machine and process, including raw and process materials
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.9
fire hazard
potential for loss of life (or injury) and/or damage to property and/or environment by fire
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.10
fire
general term for intended combustion (useful fire) as well as for uncontrolled combustion (damaging fire)
3.11
fire alarm system
system which detects the onset of fire and initiates an emergency response
3.12
fire risk
combination of the probability of occurrence of harm from fire and the severity of that harm
3.13
fire safety advisor
employee or consultant who assesses the fire prevention and protection measures for all or parts of business
undertaking
3.14
flame retardant
substance added or treatment applied to a material in order to suppress or delay the appearance of a flame and/or
reduce its propagation rate
3.15
flame
zone of combustion in the gaseous phase from which light is emitted
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.16
flammability
ability of a material or product to burn with a flame under specified conditions
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
NOTE Accurate assessment of the ignition characteristics of material will depend on the operational conditions of the
machinery.
3.17
glow
combustion of a material in the solid phase without flame but with emission of light from the combustion zone
3.18
harm
physical injury and/or damage to health or property
[EN 1050]
3.19
ignition source
source of energy that initiates combustion
3.20
ignition
initiation of combustion
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.21
ignition energy
energy necessary to initiate ignition
3.22
organizational measures
all fire prevention and protection measures applied to assign tasks and responsibilities, to manage the emergency
plan in case of fire; and assist the fire brigade in developing and implementing its own fire fighting procedures
3.23
overheating
uncontrolled temperature increase
3.24
pre-fire alarm system
system which detects the potential onset of fire and initiates an emergency response in respect of this
3.25
public fire fighting
all measures implemented by a community to fight fires by means of the fire brigades with capacities in accordance
with the local conditions
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.26
safety component
component of the machinery, provided that it is not interchangeable equipment, which fulfils a safety function when
in use and the failure or malfunctioning of which endangers the safety or health of exposed persons
NOTE see Directive 98/37/EC, clause 1, article 1, 2b.
3.27
self-ignition
ignition resulting from self heating
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.28
self-heating
exothermic reaction within a material resulting in a rise in temperature in the material
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.29
smoke
visible suspension of solid and/or liquid particles in gases resulting from combustion or pyrolysis
[ISO/IEC Guide 52]
3.30
structural features of buildings
all fire prevention and protection measures related to the design, construction and functional planning of a building
to reduce fire spread; facilitate escape of occupants; provide access to the fire brigade and safe fire fighting
conditions; and reduce damage to the building, its contents and the environment
3.31
works fire fighting
all measures implemented by plant management for the user of the machinery to fight any outbreak of fire using
own personnel
4 Requirements for hazard identification
4.1 General
A fire hazard occurs if combustible materials, oxidizer and ignition energy are available in sufficient quantities at the
same place and at the same time (see Figure 2).
Figure 2 — Fire-Triangle
The fire hazard depends on the interaction of these three items.
Certain materials are inherently unstable, extraordinary oxidizers or capable of self-heating. This affects the fire
hazard.
Variation in oxygen concentration (e.g. oxygen enrichment) can also significantly affect the fire hazard.
The fire hazard can arise from the materials processed, used or released by the machinery, from materials in the
vicinity of the machinery, or from materials used in the construction of the machinery.
WARNING An explosion hazard can exist in addition to the fire hazard (see EN 1127-1 and prEN 1127-2).
4.2 Combustible materials
Combustible materials can occur as solids, liquids or gases. It shall be determined whether combustible materials
exist or can exist and in what quantity and distribution.
The ease of combustion of materials is affected by the size, shape and deposition of the materials. For example,
small pieces of a material loosely collected together can be more easily ignited than a large piece of that material.
Also the combination of materials can have an influence on the ignitability and the burning behaviour.
Consideration shall be given as to whether the properties of the materials can change over time or with use. Such
changes can include the possibility of decomposition of the material releasing combustible gases and vapours. This
can lead to an increased fire hazard.
4.3 Oxidizers
In assessing the fire hazard, the existence and quantity of fire supporting substances, e.g. oxygen producing
substances and the probability of their occurrence shall be determined. The most common oxidizer is air. But there
are other oxidizers which support combustion e.g. Potassium Nitrate (KNO ), Potassium Permanganate (KMnO ),
3 4
Perchloric acid (HClO ), Hydrogen Peroxide (H O ), Nitrous Oxide (N O).
4 2 2 2
4.4 Ignition sources
It shall be determined which ignition sources exist or can occur.
Possible ignition sources can arise due to the influence of:
a) heat energy;
b) electrical energy;
see annex A for examples
c) mechanical energy;
d) chemical energy.
5 Requirements for risk assessment
5.1 General
Determination and evaluation of the fire risk requires a sequence of logical steps allowing systematic examination
of the fire hazards arising from the machinery and/or the work process according to the procedures outlined in
EN 1050. It includes risk analysis and risk evaluation. The risk evaluation establishes if risk reduction measures are
required.
5.2 Risk analysis
The risk of fire in machinery shall be determined by analysis. It depends on the existence of a fire hazard, the
probability of its occurrence and the degree of the possible harm.
Analysis of fire risk shall include the following elements (see also Figure 3):

list of all materials involved in the machine and process, including raw and process materials;

evaluation of their ignitability, flammability, combustibility, fire supporting effect and toxic issues;

determination of the fire load;

list of all possible ignition sources;

determination of fire scenarios according to fire loads and ignition sources;

evaluation of possible fire risks caused by human errors such as exchange of substances and wrong handling
of controls.
Information on the fire properties of the materials or components used in a machine can often be found from the
technical literature or the supplier. In some cases however, appropriate testing of the materials or components can
be required.
Intended operational
conditions, foreseeable
misuse and human errors
List of materials
Ignitability
Ignition sources
Flammability
Combustibility
Fire supporting effect
Toxicity of materials
and fire effluents
Risk analysis
Fire load
Determination of fire
scenarios according to the
fire loads and ignition sources
Risk evaluation
Severity of possible harm
Figure 3 — Risk analysis and evaluation
EN 13
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