SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
01-maj-2012
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Electrostatics - Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications - Electrostatic
classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)
Elektrostatik - Teil 4-4: Normprüfverfahren für spezielle Anwendungen - Einordnung
flexibler Schüttgutbehälter (FIBC) in elektrostatischer Hinsicht
Electrostatique - Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications
spécifiques - Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples
(GRVS)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 61340-4-4:2012
ICS:
17.220.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi z Other standards related to
elektriko in magnetizmom electricity and magnetism
55.180.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi z Other standards related to
distribucijo blaga s prevozom freight distribution of goods
SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 61340-4-4

NORME EUROPÉENNE
March 2012
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 17.220.99; 29.020; 55.080 Supersedes EN 61340-4-4:2005


English version


Electrostatics -
Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications -
Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)
(IEC 61340-4-4:2012)


Electrostatique -  Elektrostatik -
Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées Teil 4-4: Normprüfverfahren für spezielle
pour des applications spécifiques - Anwendungen -
Classification électrostatique des grands Einordnung flexibler Schüttgutbehälter
récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS) (FIBC) in elektrostatischer Hinsicht
(CEI 61340-4-4:2012) (IEC 61340-4-4:2012)





This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2012-02-22. CENELEC 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-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CENELEC 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 CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels


© 2012 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 61340-4-4:2012 E

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
EN 61340-4-4:2012 - 2 -
Foreword
The text of document 101/346/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 61340-4-4, prepared by IEC TC 101,
"Electrostatics" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
EN 61340-4-4:2012.

The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2012-11-22
• latest date by which the document has
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
(dow) 2015-02-22
• latest date by which the national
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn

This document supersedes EN 61340-4-4:2005.
EN 61340-4-4:2012 includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 61340-4-
4:2005:
a) Adoption of a type classification system for FIBC based on four types: A, B, C and D.
b) Guidance for safe use of FIBC in relation to hazardous areas and hazardous zones defined in
EN 60079-10-1 and EN 60079-10-2 is added.
c) Resistance to groundable points and electrical breakdown voltage measurements on FIBC shall be
measured at low humidity only.
d) Requirements for labelling FIBC are changed to improve clarity and ease of recognition by end users.
e) Classification, performance requirements and guidance for safe use of inner liners in combination with
FIBC are added.
f) An informative annex giving guidance on test methods for quality control and inspection testing is
added.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61340-4-4:2012 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following note has to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 61340-2-1 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61340-2-1.

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
- 3 - EN 61340-4-4:2012
Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following documents, in whole or in part, are normatively referenced in this document and are
indispensable for its application. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60079-10-1 - Explosive atmospheres - EN 60079-10-1 -
Part 10-1: Classification of areas - Explosive
gas atmospheres


IEC 60079-10-2 - Explosive atmospheres - EN 60079-10-2 -
Part 10-2: Classification of areas -
Combustible dust atmospheres


IEC 60243-1 1998 Electrical strength of insulating materials - EN 60243-1 1998
Test methods -
Part 1: Tests at power frequencies


IEC 60243-2 - Electric strength of insulating materials - Test EN 60243-2 -
methods -
Part 2: Additional requirements for tests using
direct voltage


IEC 60417 Data- Graphical symbols for use on equipment - -
base


IEC 61241-2-3 - Electrical apparatus for use in the presence of - -
combustible dust -
Part 2: Test methods - Section 3: Method for
determining minimum ignition energy of
dust/air mixtures


IEC 61340-2-3 - Electrostatics - EN 61340-2-3 -
Part 2-3: Methods of test for determining the
resistance and resistivity of solid planar
materials used to avoid electrostatic charge
accumulation


ISO 7000 2004 Graphical symbols for use on equipment - - -
Index and synopsis


ISO 21898 - Packaging - Flexible intermediate bulk EN ISO 21898 -
containers (FIBCs) for non-dangerous goods


ASTM E582 - Standard test method for minimum ignition - -
energy and quenching distance in gaseous
mixtures

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012




IEC 61340-4-4

®


Edition 2.0 2012-01




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME



INTERNATIONALE
colour

inside










Electrostatics –

Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications – Electrostatic

classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)




Électrostatique –

Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications spécifiques –


Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS)













INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE

PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE

CODE PRIX X


ICS 17.220.99; 29.020; 55.080 ISBN 978-2-88912-851-8



Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
– 2 – 61340-4-4  IEC:2012
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 4
INTRODUCTION . 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 8
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Classification . 10
4.1 Principles of classification for FIBC . 10
4.1.1 Type A . 10
4.1.2 Type B . 10
4.1.3 Type C . 10
4.1.4 Type D . 10
4.2 Principles of classification and requirements for inner liners . 11
4.2.1 Surface resistivity measurements for inner liners . 11
4.2.2 Special cases . 11
4.2.3 Type L1 . 11
4.2.4 Type L2 . 11
4.2.5 Type L3 . 12
4.3 Combination of FIBC and inner liners . 12
5 Safe use of FIBC . 13
6 Labelling . 14
7 Requirements for FIBC . 17
7.1 General remarks. 17
7.2 Requirements for dust environments with ignition energies greater than 3 mJ
(apply to Type B FIBC, Type C FIBC and Type D FIBC) . 17
7.3 Requirements for vapour and gas atmospheres and for dust environments
with ignition energies of 3 mJ or less . 17
7.3.1 Type C FIBC . 17
7.3.2 Type D FIBC . 18
8 Atmosphere for conditioning, calibrating and testing . 18
8.1 Conditioning time . 18
8.2 Electrical breakdown voltage and resistance to groundable point testing . 18
8.3 Ignition testing . 18
9 Test procedures . 18
9.1 Electrical breakdown voltage . 18
9.2 Ignition testing . 19
9.2.1 Apparatus . 19
9.2.2 Establishing correct charging current . 26
9.2.3 Ignition tests . 26
9.3 Resistance to groundable point . 28
9.3.1 Apparatus . 28
9.3.2 Test procedure . 29
10 Report . 30
10.1 For all types of testing . 30
10.2 For electrical breakdown voltage testing . 31
10.3 For ignition testing . 31

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
61340-4-4  IEC:2012 – 3 –
10.4 For resistance to groundable point testing . 31
10.5 For surface resistivity testing of inner liners . 31
10.6 For test reports issued by accredited testing authorities . 31
Annex A (normative) Electrical breakdown voltage – Typical voltage/time graphs . 33
Annex B (normative) Polypropylene pellets for ignition testing . 34
Annex C (informative) Guidance on test methods for manufacturing quality control . 35
Annex D (normative) Classification of hazardous areas and zones. 37
Annex E (informative) Risks associated with cone discharges . 38
Annex F (informative) Explanation for resistance and resistivity limits . 39
Bibliography . 40

Figure 1 – Example of a label for Type B FIBC . 15
Figure 2 – Example of a label for Type C FIBC . 15
Figure 3 – Example of a label for Type D FIBC . 16
Figure 4 – Example of a label for Type C FIBC designated earth bonding points . 16
Figure 5 – Ignition probe . 20
Figure 6 – Perforated metal plate for use in ignition probe . 21
Figure 7 – Gas control and mixing apparatus (schematic) . 22
Figure 8 – FIBC filling rig (schematic) . 24
Figure 9 – Corona charging unit (schematic) . 25
Figure A.1 – Example of voltage/time graph for material showing distinct breakdown . 33
Figure A.2 – Example of voltage/time graph for material showing reduction in rate of
voltage rise because of conduction within the test material . 33

Table 1 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L1 inner liners . 11
Table 2 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L2 inner liners . 12
Table 3 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L3 inner liners . 12
Table 4 – Use of different types of FIBC . 13
Table 5 – Inner liners and FIBC: combinations that are permissible and not permissible
in hazardous explosive atmospheres . 13
Table 6 – Volume concentrations of flammable gas mixture . 21
Table 7 – Example of full sample description to be included in test report . 32
Table B.1 – Particle size distribution of polypropylene pellets . 34
Table D.1 – Classification of hazardous areas in IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC 60079-10-2 . 37
Table D.2 – Classification of zones in IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC 60079-10-2 . 37

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
– 4 – 61340-4-4  IEC:2012
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

ELECTROSTATICS –

Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications –
Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)


FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
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Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61340-4-4 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 101:
Electrostatics, in cooperation with ISO subcommittee 3: Performance requirements and tests
for means of packaging, packages and unit loads, of ISO technical committee 122: Packaging.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition, published in 2005, and constitutes
a technical revision.
The main changes with respect to the first edition are listed below:
a) Adoption of a type classification system for FIBC based on four types: A, B, C and D.
b) Guidance for safe use of FIBC in relation to hazardous areas and hazardous zones
defined in IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC 60079-10-2 is added.
c) Resistance to groundable points and electrical breakdown voltage measurements on FIBC
shall be measured at low humidity only.

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
61340-4-4  IEC:2012 – 5 –
d) Requirements for labelling FIBC are changed to improve clarity and ease of recognition by
end users.
e) Classification, performance requirements and guidance for safe use of inner liners in
combination with FIBC are added.
f) An informative annex giving guidance on test methods for quality control and inspection
testing is added.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
101/346/FDIS 101/353/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all the parts in the IEC 61340 series, published under the general title Electrostatics,
can be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
– 6 – 61340-4-4  IEC:2012
INTRODUCTION
Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) are widely used for the storage, transportation
and handling of powdered, flaked or granular material. Typically, they are constructed from
3
woven polypropylene fabric in the form of cubic bags of about 1 m volume, although they can
3 3
vary in shape and in size from 0,25 m to 3 m . The fabric used may be a single layer, a
multi-layer laminate, or a coated fabric. Untreated polypropylene is an electrical insulator, as
is often the case with the products placed in FIBC. There is ample opportunity for the
generation of electrostatic charge during filling and emptying operations and in unprotected
FIBC high levels of charge can quickly build up. In such cases, electrostatic discharges are
inevitable and can be a severe problem when FIBC are used in hazardous explosive
atmospheres.
A hazardous explosive atmosphere can be generated when handling fine powders that create
dust clouds or thin layers of powder, both of which can be ignited by electrostatic discharges.
A hazardous explosive atmosphere can also be generated when using gases or volatile
solvents. In these industrial situations there is clearly a need to eliminate incendive
electrostatic discharges.
As with any industrial equipment, a thorough risk assessment should always be conducted
before using FIBC in potentially hazardous situations. This part of IEC 61340 describes a
system of classification, test methods, performance and design requirements and safe use
procedures that can be used by manufacturers, specifiers and end-users as part of a risk
assessment of any FIBC intended for use within a hazardous explosive atmosphere. However,
it does not include procedures for evaluating the specific risks of electrostatic discharges
arising from products within FIBC, e.g. cone discharges, from personnel or from equipment
used near FIBC. Information on risks associated with cone discharges is given in Annex E.
CAUTION: The test methods specified in this standard involve the use of high voltage power
supplies and flammable gases that may present hazards if handled incorrectly, particularly by
unqualified or inexperienced personnel. Users of this standard are encouraged to carry out
proper risk assessments and pay due regard to local regulations before undertaking any of
the test procedures.

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SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
61340-4-4  IEC:2012 – 7 –
ELECTROSTATICS –

Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications –
Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)



1 Scope
This part of IEC 61340 specifies requirements for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)
3 3
between 0,25 m and 3 m in volume, intended for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres.
The explosive atmosphere may be created by the contents in the FIBC or may exist outside
the FIBC.
The requirements include:
− classification and labelling of FIBC;
− classification of inner liners;
− specification of test methods for each type of FIBC and inner liner;
− design and performance requirements for FIBC and inner liners;
− safe use of FIBC (including those with inner liners) within different zones defined for
explosion endangered environments, described for areas where combustible dusts are, or
may be, present (IEC 60079-10-2), and for explosive gas atmospheres (IEC 60079-10-1);
− procedures for type qualification and certification of FIBC, including the safe use of inner
liners.
NOTE 1 Guidance on test methods that may be used for manufacturing quality control is given in Annex C.
The requirements of this standard are applicable to all types of FIBC and inner liners, tested
as manufactured, prior to use and intended for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres:
Zones 1 and 2 (Groups IIA and IIB only) and Zones 21 and 22 (see Annex D for classification
of hazardous areas and explosion groups). For some types of FIBC, the requirements of this
standard apply only to use in hazardous explosive atmospheres with minimum ignition energy
of 0,14 mJ or greater and where charging currents do not exceed 3,0 µA.
NOTE 2 0,14 mJ is the minimum ignition energy of a typical Group IIB gas or vapour. Although more sensitive
materials exist, 0,14 mJ is the lowest minimum ignition energy of any material that is likely to be present when
FIBC are emptied. 3,0 µA is the highest charging current likely to be found in common industrial processes. This
combination of minimum ignition energy and charging current represents the most severe conditions that might be
expected in practice.
Compliance with the requirements specified in this standard does not necessarily ensure that
hazardous electrostatic discharges, e.g. cone discharges, will not be generated by the
contents in FIBC. Information on the risks associated with cone discharges is given in Annex
E.
Compliance with the requirements of this standard does not mitigate the need for full risk
assessment. For example, metal and other conductive powders and toner powders may
require additional precautions to prevent hazardous discharges from the powders.
NOTE 3 In the examples mentioned in the paragraph above, additional precautions may be necessary in the case
of metal or other conductive powder because if the powder is isolated and becomes charged, incendiary sparks
may occur, and in the case of toner powders, incendiary discharges may occur during rapid filling and emptying
1
operations. Future IEC/TS 60079-32 [1] gives guidance on additional precautions that may be necessary.
———————
1
 Figures in square brackets refer to the bibliography.

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