Is alcohol distillery an ex area?

[hartdev@hotmail.com]

Hi guys
A client wants a certificate of compliance for a 3phase factory in which they distill alcohol (think its whiskey).
Are you able to tell me offhand if it would be an ex area?
I am an installation electrician, not a master electrician.
Thanks very much

[AndyD]

I'm guessing there's no existing documentation on site so there's no way you can go ahead with a Compliance certificate. You'd need to examine each process, each piece of equipment and other environmental factors such as ventilation rates to determine Ex zones within the factory. All the classification assessments and risk assessments have to be recorded, compiled and kept on site for reference. SANS 60079-10 outlines the proceedures and as far as I know you'd need a ME do this assessment.

[AmithS]

Andy is correct. Be careful of providing a compliance certificate in this situation as I am sure many laws need to be taken into consideration as well as the clients insurance they have taken on the factory - might even be the reason they want the compliance certificate...

There are companies that specialise in Ex certification, ratings, equipment and design... You can Google them.

[ians]

Contact Ian Mee, he would be the best person to get the right advise.

If you need his number send me a pm.