IEC 60079 Series Explained: A Complete Guide to Explosion Protection Standards

The term IEC 60079 is frequently used in the explosion protection industry, but many engineers are unaware that it actually refers to an extensive collection of individual standards rather than a single document.

The IEC 60079 series contains dozens of standards that address nearly every aspect of explosion protection, including hazardous area classification, equipment design, installation practices, inspections, maintenance activities, repairs, and personnel competency.

Each standard serves a specific purpose and is designed to work together with the others to create a comprehensive framework for managing ignition risks in explosive atmospheres.

For example, one standard explains how to classify hazardous areas, another specifies the construction requirements for flameproof equipment, while others define how equipment should be installed, inspected, or repaired throughout its lifecycle.

Because of this interconnected structure, engineers working in hazardous areas often need to reference multiple IEC 60079 standards simultaneously. Understanding how the series is organized can significantly improve the ability to select the correct standard and apply its requirements properly.

This article provides an overview of the IEC 60079 series, explains how the standards are grouped, and identifies the most important standards that every engineer working with explosion-protected equipment should understand.

Quick Answer

Why Does the IEC 60079 Series Exist?

Industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, mining, and food processing frequently handle flammable gases, vapors, mists, and combustible dusts.

Without internationally recognized technical requirements, manufacturers and end users would face significant difficulties in designing, selecting, and operating equipment safely in these environments.

The IEC 60079 series was developed to provide:

• A globally harmonized approach to explosion protection.
• Consistent technical requirements for equipment manufacturers.
• Uniform installation and maintenance practices.
• Improved safety for personnel and facilities.
• Technical support for international certification schemes such as IECEx.
• Common terminology and engineering practices across industries.

By establishing these requirements, the IEC 60079 series helps reduce the likelihood of ignition sources causing explosions in hazardous areas.

How Is the IEC 60079 Series Organized?

Although the complete series contains numerous standards, they can generally be grouped into several major categories based on their purpose.

These categories include:

• General requirements.
• Protection concept standards.
• Hazardous area classification standards.
• Installation standards.
• Inspection and maintenance standards.
• Repair and overhaul standards.
• Personnel competency standards.

Together, these documents form a complete lifecycle approach to explosion protection, from initial design through long-term operation and maintenance.

The IEC 60079 Lifecycle Approach

One of the strengths of the IEC 60079 series is that the standards are interconnected and follow the typical lifecycle of hazardous area facilities.

A simplified workflow generally looks like this:

1. Classify the hazardous area.
2. Select suitable equipment and protection concepts.
3. Design and install the electrical system.
4. Inspect and commission the installation.
5. Perform periodic inspections and maintenance.
6. Repair or overhaul equipment when necessary.
7. Maintain competency of personnel involved in these activities.

Because the standards are designed to work together, understanding the overall structure of the IEC 60079 series is often more valuable than understanding a single standard in isolation.

Main Categories of the IEC 60079 Series

Although the IEC 60079 series contains numerous standards, most of them can be grouped into several major categories that correspond to different stages of explosion protection management.

Understanding these categories makes it easier to identify which standards are relevant to a particular engineering activity.

1. General Requirements Standards

These standards establish the fundamental requirements applicable to explosion-protected equipment.

Standard	Title	Purpose
IEC 60079-0	Equipment – General Requirements	Provides the basic construction and testing requirements applicable to Ex equipment.

IEC 60079-0 is often considered the foundation of the entire series because many other standards reference its requirements.

2. Protection Concept Standards

These standards specify the requirements for various explosion protection techniques used to prevent ignition.

Standard	Protection Concept
IEC 60079-1	Flameproof Enclosure "d"
IEC 60079-2	Pressurized Equipment "p"
IEC 60079-5	Powder Filling "q"
IEC 60079-7	Increased Safety "e"
IEC 60079-11	Intrinsic Safety "i"
IEC 60079-18	Encapsulation "m"
IEC 60079-31	Protection by Enclosure "t"

These standards are among the most widely used documents in the entire IEC 60079 series because they directly govern the design and certification of explosion-protected equipment.

3. Hazardous Area Classification Standards

Before suitable equipment can be selected, engineers must first determine the extent and probability of explosive atmospheres.

The IEC 60079 series includes dedicated standards for this purpose.

Standard	Purpose
IEC 60079-10-1	Classification of areas where flammable gases and vapors may be present.
IEC 60079-10-2	Classification of areas where combustible dust may be present.

These standards form the basis for determining Zone 0, Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 20, Zone 21, and Zone 22.

4. Installation Standards

Once hazardous areas have been classified and suitable equipment has been selected, the next stage involves installation.

Standard	Purpose
IEC 60079-14	Selection and installation of electrical equipment in explosive atmospheres.

IEC 60079-14 is one of the most frequently referenced standards by EPC contractors, electrical designers, and installation personnel.

5. Inspection and Maintenance Standards

Explosion protection does not end after installation. Equipment must continue to operate safely throughout its service life.

Standard	Purpose
IEC 60079-17	Inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in explosive atmospheres.

This standard defines inspection grades, inspection frequencies, and maintenance practices that help maintain the integrity of explosion-protected equipment.

6. Repair and Overhaul Standards

When explosion-protected equipment becomes damaged or requires refurbishment, repairs must be carried out carefully to ensure that the original protection characteristics are preserved.

Standard	Purpose
IEC 60079-19	Repair, overhaul, and reclamation of Ex equipment.

Improper repairs can compromise explosion protection and create serious safety hazards, which is why IEC 60079-19 is particularly important for repair workshops and maintenance organizations.

7. Personnel Competency Standards

The effectiveness of explosion protection depends heavily on the competency of the people performing classification, installation, inspection, and maintenance activities.

Standard	Purpose
IEC 60079-14	Includes competency requirements for installation personnel.
IEC 60079-17	Includes competency requirements for inspectors.
IEC 60079-19	Includes competency requirements for repair personnel.

Competency requirements have become increasingly important as industries seek to improve hazardous area safety and reduce human error in explosion protection activities.

Advantages of Understanding the Entire IEC 60079 Series

Many engineers focus only on the specific standards required for their daily activities. However, understanding how the entire IEC 60079 series fits together provides significant advantages throughout the lifecycle of explosion protection.

Because the standards are interconnected, decisions made during one stage of a project often affect subsequent activities such as equipment selection, installation, inspection, and maintenance.

Key benefits of understanding the entire IEC 60079 framework include:

• Provides a comprehensive understanding of explosion protection principles.
• Improves communication between engineers, inspectors, and maintenance personnel.
• Reduces the likelihood of specification and installation errors.
• Helps ensure consistency throughout the equipment lifecycle.
• Facilitates compliance with international standards and certification schemes.
• Improves hazardous area safety and risk management.
• Supports better engineering decisions during project execution.
• Enhances professional competency in explosion protection.

For many organizations, a strong understanding of the IEC 60079 series is considered an essential component of hazardous area competency programs.

How the Standards Work Together

One of the greatest strengths of the IEC 60079 series is that the standards are designed to function as an integrated system rather than as isolated documents.

A typical hazardous area project may involve multiple standards simultaneously.

For example:

1. IEC 60079-10-1 is used to classify gas hazardous areas.
2. IEC 60079-0 and IEC 60079-1 define the requirements for suitable Ex d equipment.
3. IEC 60079-14 governs equipment selection and installation.
4. IEC 60079-17 establishes inspection and maintenance requirements.
5. IEC 60079-19 provides requirements if equipment later requires repair.

This lifecycle approach ensures that explosion protection remains effective from initial design through long-term operation and maintenance.

Which IEC 60079 Standards Are Most Important?

Although the complete IEC 60079 series contains numerous documents, certain standards are encountered far more frequently than others in industrial projects.

Standard	Why It Matters
IEC 60079-0	Foundation for most Ex equipment requirements.
IEC 60079-1	Widely used for flameproof equipment in Zone 1.
IEC 60079-7	Essential for increased safety equipment and junction boxes.
IEC 60079-11	Fundamental for intrinsic safety systems and instrumentation.
IEC 60079-10-1	Used to classify gas hazardous areas.
IEC 60079-14	Critical for installation and equipment selection.
IEC 60079-17	Defines inspection and maintenance requirements.
IEC 60079-19	Provides requirements for repair and overhaul activities.
IEC 60079-31	Important for combustible dust applications.

These standards form the core technical framework that most engineers, inspectors, and maintenance personnel encounter throughout their careers.

How IEC 60079 Influences Other Standards and Regulations

The influence of the IEC 60079 series extends far beyond the IECEx System.

Many countries have adopted the standards directly as national standards or have issued technically equivalent versions.

Examples include:

• EN IEC 60079 standards used throughout Europe.
• National standards adopted in Australia and New Zealand.
• Adoption by numerous countries in Asia and the Middle East.
• References within many oil and gas company engineering standards.
• Incorporation into hazardous area specifications and procurement documents.

Even within the European ATEX framework, the harmonized EN IEC 60079 standards play an important role in demonstrating conformity with the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of Directive 2014/34/EU.

Common Misunderstandings About the IEC 60079 Series

Only Manufacturers Need to Understand IEC 60079

No. The standards are used by manufacturers, EPC companies, installers, inspectors, maintenance personnel, certification bodies, and end users.

The Entire Series Must Be Read for Every Project

Not necessarily. Most projects require only a subset of standards depending on the equipment, protection concepts, and activities involved.

IEC 60079 Applies Only to Equipment Certification

Incorrect. The standards cover much more than certification, including classification, installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair.

All IEC 60079 Standards Apply Everywhere

No. Local regulations determine which standards are mandatory within a particular country or industry. Organizations should always verify applicable legal and contractual requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the IEC 60079 series?

The IEC 60079 series is a collection of international standards that specify requirements for equipment, installations, inspections, maintenance, and repairs in explosive atmospheres.

How many standards are included in the IEC 60079 series?

The IEC 60079 series contains dozens of individual standards covering different aspects of explosion protection, including hazardous area classification, protection concepts, installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair.

Which IEC 60079 standards are most commonly used?

The standards most frequently encountered in industry include IEC 60079-0, IEC 60079-1, IEC 60079-7, IEC 60079-10-1, IEC 60079-11, IEC 60079-14, IEC 60079-17, IEC 60079-19, and IEC 60079-31.

Is IEC 60079 mandatory?

IEC 60079 itself is not legislation. However, many countries adopt the standards directly or reference them within national regulations and industry specifications, making compliance mandatory in certain situations.

What is the relationship between IEC 60079 and IECEx?

IEC 60079 provides the technical requirements for explosion protection, while IECEx is the international certification system used to demonstrate compliance with those standards.

What is the relationship between IEC 60079 and ATEX?

IEC 60079 consists of international technical standards, whereas ATEX is European legislation governing equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres. Many harmonized EN standards used under ATEX are based on IEC 60079.

Conclusion

The IEC 60079 series forms the technical foundation of modern explosion protection. Rather than being a single standard, it is a comprehensive framework that addresses every stage of the hazardous area lifecycle, from area classification and equipment design to installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair.

Understanding how the standards fit together allows engineers and organizations to apply explosion protection principles consistently and effectively. It also helps improve communication between manufacturers, EPC contractors, inspectors, and end users who may rely on different parts of the series during a project's lifecycle.

As industries continue to demand higher levels of safety and reliability, the importance of the IEC 60079 series will continue to grow. For anyone working with explosion-protected equipment, understanding these standards is not merely beneficial—it is an essential part of professional competency in hazardous area engineering.

Technical Review

References

• IEC 60079 Series – Explosive Atmospheres.
• IEC 60079-0 – Equipment – General Requirements.
• IEC 60079-1 – Equipment Protection by Flameproof Enclosures "d".
• IEC 60079-7 – Equipment Protection by Increased Safety "e".
• IEC 60079-11 – Equipment Protection by Intrinsic Safety "i".
• IEC 60079-14 – Electrical Installations Design, Selection and Erection.
• IEC 60079-17 – Electrical Installations Inspection and Maintenance.
• IEC 60079-19 – Equipment Repair, Overhaul and Reclamation.
• IECEx System – International Certification System for Equipment Used in Explosive Atmospheres.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).