Group I, Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in atmospheres endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust

1.1 This standard specifies the design, construction, testing and marking requirements for Group I, Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in underground parts of mines, as well as those parts of surface installations of such mines endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust clouds under normal atmospheric conditions of pressures ranging from 0,8 bar to 1,1 bar and temperatures ranging from 20 °C to + 60 °C. 1.2 It applies to all electrical and non-electrical equipment capable of causing an explosion through its own potential source of ignition. 1.3 It also applies to cables, pipes and optical fibres, when such items are used to carry energy sources and form part of equipment intended to remain functional in an atmosphere endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust. 1.4 It does not apply to category M1 Miners' Caplights, which are dealt with in prEN 62013-1 (in preparation). NOTE 1 As the energy needed to ignite a coal dust /air cloud is in excess of 600 times* that needed to ignite a firedamp /air mixture, this standard assumes that provided intrinsically safe 'ia' circuits are constructed to be safe in an explosive atmosphere of firedamp /air, then such circuits are not capable of directly igniting an explosive atmosphere of coal dust/air. * Based on tests performed by several member state laboratories. Verified at the UK Health & Safety Laboratories, Buxton - Report by Dr P. Tolson, dated 9 August 1995 - "Ignition of coal dust/air mixtures using a modified IEC spark test apparatus". NOTE 2 In designing equipment for operation in explosive atmospheric conditions other than those given in 1.1 above, this standard may be used as a guide. In such cases, additional testing is recommended to allow the manufacturer to be able to demonstrate that the equipment is suitable for the exceptional conditions of use. NOTE 3 When an explosive firedamp atmosphere occurs in the underground workings of a mine, or at a surface installation, it is imperative that the ignition risk be kept to a minimum. Member State Governments may therefore prohibit the continued use of certain Category M1 equipment in an atmosphere endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust if it is not necessary for it to remain functional for the protection of workers**. ** This has its origin in clause 5.1 of the proposals to the Governments of members States adopted by the Safety and Health Commission for Mining and Other Extractive Industries (SHCMOEI) at its meeting on 29.10.1986. Document No 6374/13/82 - "Electrical apparatus and systems for use when the concentration of firedamp exceeds the statutory limit for electricity".

Gruppe I, Kategorie M1 Geräte für den Einsatz in Atmosphären, die durch Grubengas und/oder brennbare Stäube gefährdet sind

Appareils du groupe I de catégorie M1 destinés à rester en opération dans les atmosphères exposées au grisou et/ou à la poussière de charbon

Oprema skupine I, kategorije M1, ki ostane v delovanju v atmosferah, ki jih ogroža jamski eksplozivni plin ali premogov prah

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
27-Jul-2000
Withdrawal Date
29-Jun-2003
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
27-Jan-2021
Completion Date
23-Sep-2025

Overview

EN 50303:2000 (CLC) specifies requirements for Group I, Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in atmospheres endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust. The standard covers the design, construction, testing and marking of equipment used in underground mine workings and parts of surface installations where firedamp (methane) or coal-dust clouds may occur under normal atmospheric conditions (pressures from 0.8 bar to 1.1 bar and temperatures 20 °C to +60 °C). EN 50303:2000 applies to both electrical and non-electrical apparatus that could act as potential ignition sources, and to cables, pipes and optical fibres that carry energy as part of such equipment.

Keywords: EN 50303:2000, Group I Category M1, firedamp, coal dust, explosive atmospheres, mining equipment, intrinsic safety.

Key topics and requirements

  • Scope and application: Equipment required to remain functional in hazardous mine atmospheres (Group I, Category M1).
  • Design and construction: Engineering considerations to minimise ignition risk in firedamp/coal-dust environments.
  • Testing: Verification methods to demonstrate suitability under specified pressure and temperature conditions.
  • Marking: Identification and marking requirements to show compliance and intended use in M1 hazardous zones.
  • Included items: All electrical and non-electrical apparatus capable of causing an explosion, plus cables, pipes and optical fibres when they form part of such equipment.
  • Exclusions and cross-reference: Miners’ caplights (Category M1) are excluded and are addressed in prEN 62013-1 (in preparation).
  • Intrinsic safety note: The standard recognises that intrinsically safe ‘ia’ circuits designed for firedamp/air are, by test evidence, unlikely to directly ignite coal-dust/air clouds because coal-dust ignition energy is much higher.
  • Regulatory caution: Member State authorities may prohibit continued use of certain M1 equipment in explosive atmospheres unless it is essential for worker protection.

Applications and users

EN 50303:2000 is primarily used by:

  • Mining equipment manufacturers designing machinery and apparatus for Group I, Category M1 applications.
  • Safety and design engineers specifying equipment for underground mines and at-risk surface installations.
  • Certification and test laboratories evaluating equipment for explosive atmosphere safety.
  • Mine operators and maintenance teams selecting compliant components (equipment, cables, optical fibres, pipes).
  • Compliance officers documenting marking and testing evidence for regulatory inspections.

Practical value: ensures reliable operation of safety-critical equipment in firedamp/coal-dust environments while minimising ignition risk and supporting consistent conformity assessment.

Related standards

  • prEN 62013-1 (miners’ caplights) - referenced exclusion for caplights.
  • Research/verification: ignition-energy studies (e.g., UK Health & Safety Laboratories report cited in the standard) used to justify intrinsic-safety assumptions.

For procurement or compliance searches use phrases like “EN 50303:2000 mining equipment”, “Group I Category M1 standard”, “firedamp coal dust safety” to find relevant documents and guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

EN 50303:2000 is a standard published by CLC. Its full title is "Group I, Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in atmospheres endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust". This standard covers: 1.1 This standard specifies the design, construction, testing and marking requirements for Group I, Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in underground parts of mines, as well as those parts of surface installations of such mines endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust clouds under normal atmospheric conditions of pressures ranging from 0,8 bar to 1,1 bar and temperatures ranging from 20 °C to + 60 °C. 1.2 It applies to all electrical and non-electrical equipment capable of causing an explosion through its own potential source of ignition. 1.3 It also applies to cables, pipes and optical fibres, when such items are used to carry energy sources and form part of equipment intended to remain functional in an atmosphere endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust. 1.4 It does not apply to category M1 Miners' Caplights, which are dealt with in prEN 62013-1 (in preparation). NOTE 1 As the energy needed to ignite a coal dust /air cloud is in excess of 600 times* that needed to ignite a firedamp /air mixture, this standard assumes that provided intrinsically safe 'ia' circuits are constructed to be safe in an explosive atmosphere of firedamp /air, then such circuits are not capable of directly igniting an explosive atmosphere of coal dust/air. * Based on tests performed by several member state laboratories. Verified at the UK Health & Safety Laboratories, Buxton - Report by Dr P. Tolson, dated 9 August 1995 - "Ignition of coal dust/air mixtures using a modified IEC spark test apparatus". NOTE 2 In designing equipment for operation in explosive atmospheric conditions other than those given in 1.1 above, this standard may be used as a guide. In such cases, additional testing is recommended to allow the manufacturer to be able to demonstrate that the equipment is suitable for the exceptional conditions of use. NOTE 3 When an explosive firedamp atmosphere occurs in the underground workings of a mine, or at a surface installation, it is imperative that the ignition risk be kept to a minimum. Member State Governments may therefore prohibit the continued use of certain Category M1 equipment in an atmosphere endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust if it is not necessary for it to remain functional for the protection of workers**. ** This has its origin in clause 5.1 of the proposals to the Governments of members States adopted by the Safety and Health Commission for Mining and Other Extractive Industries (SHCMOEI) at its meeting on 29.10.1986. Document No 6374/13/82 - "Electrical apparatus and systems for use when the concentration of firedamp exceeds the statutory limit for electricity".

1.1 This standard specifies the design, construction, testing and marking requirements for Group I, Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in underground parts of mines, as well as those parts of surface installations of such mines endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust clouds under normal atmospheric conditions of pressures ranging from 0,8 bar to 1,1 bar and temperatures ranging from 20 °C to + 60 °C. 1.2 It applies to all electrical and non-electrical equipment capable of causing an explosion through its own potential source of ignition. 1.3 It also applies to cables, pipes and optical fibres, when such items are used to carry energy sources and form part of equipment intended to remain functional in an atmosphere endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust. 1.4 It does not apply to category M1 Miners' Caplights, which are dealt with in prEN 62013-1 (in preparation). NOTE 1 As the energy needed to ignite a coal dust /air cloud is in excess of 600 times* that needed to ignite a firedamp /air mixture, this standard assumes that provided intrinsically safe 'ia' circuits are constructed to be safe in an explosive atmosphere of firedamp /air, then such circuits are not capable of directly igniting an explosive atmosphere of coal dust/air. * Based on tests performed by several member state laboratories. Verified at the UK Health & Safety Laboratories, Buxton - Report by Dr P. Tolson, dated 9 August 1995 - "Ignition of coal dust/air mixtures using a modified IEC spark test apparatus". NOTE 2 In designing equipment for operation in explosive atmospheric conditions other than those given in 1.1 above, this standard may be used as a guide. In such cases, additional testing is recommended to allow the manufacturer to be able to demonstrate that the equipment is suitable for the exceptional conditions of use. NOTE 3 When an explosive firedamp atmosphere occurs in the underground workings of a mine, or at a surface installation, it is imperative that the ignition risk be kept to a minimum. Member State Governments may therefore prohibit the continued use of certain Category M1 equipment in an atmosphere endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust if it is not necessary for it to remain functional for the protection of workers**. ** This has its origin in clause 5.1 of the proposals to the Governments of members States adopted by the Safety and Health Commission for Mining and Other Extractive Industries (SHCMOEI) at its meeting on 29.10.1986. Document No 6374/13/82 - "Electrical apparatus and systems for use when the concentration of firedamp exceeds the statutory limit for electricity".

EN 50303:2000 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 29.260.20 - Electrical apparatus for explosive atmospheres. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

EN 50303:2000 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2014/34/EU, 94/9/EC; Standardization Mandates: BC/CEN/CLC/92-08. 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.

EN 50303:2000 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-december-2000
Oprema skupine I, kategorije M1, ki ostane v delovanju v atmosferah, ki jih ogroža
jamski eksplozivni plin ali premogov prah
Group I, Category M1 equipment intended to remain functional in atmospheres
endangered by firedamp and/or coal dust
Gruppe I, Kategorie M1 Geräte für den Einsatz in Atmosphären, die durch Grubengas
und/oder brennbare Stäube gefährdet sind
Appareils du groupe I de catégorie M1 destinés à rester en opération dans les
atmosphères exposées au grisou et/ou à la poussière de charbon
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 50303:2000
ICS:
29.260.20 (OHNWULþQLDSDUDWL]D Electrical apparatus for
HNVSOR]LYQDR]UDþMD explosive atmospheres
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
...

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