AS/NZS 61779.1:2000

Specifies general requirements for construction and testing and describes the test methods that apply to portable, transportable and fixed apparatus for the detection and measurement of flammable gas or vapour concentrations with air. The apparatus, or parts thereof, are intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and in mines susceptible to firedamp

This part of AS/NZS 61779 specifies general requirements for construction and testing and describes the test methods that apply to portable, transportable and fixed apparatus for the detection and measurement of flammable gas or vapour concentrations with air. The apparatus, or parts thereof, are intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (see 2.1.8) and in mines susceptible to firedamp. This standard is supplemented by the following standards, concerning the specific requirements for the performance of the various types of apparatus:IEC 61779-2: Performance requirements for group I apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 5% methane in airAS/NZS 61779.2: Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of flammable gases, Part 2: Performance requirements for group I apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 5% methane in air (identical to IEC 61779-2:1998) IEC 61779-3: Performance requirements for group I apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 100% methane in airAS/NZS 61779.3: Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of flammable gases, Part 3: Performance requirements for group I apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 100% methane in air (identical to IEC 61779-3:1998) IEC 61779-4: Performance requirements for group II apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 100% lower explosive limitAS/NZS 61779.4: Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of flammable gases, Part 4: Performance requirements for group II apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 100% lower explosive limit (identical to IEC 61779-4:1998) IEC 61779-5: Performance requirements for group II apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 100% gasAS/NZS 61779.5: Electrical apparatus for the detection and measurement of flammable gases, Part 5: Performance requirements for group II apparatus indicating a volume fraction up to 100% gas (identical to IEC 61779-5:1998)NOTE 1 – AS/NZS 61779.1, in association with the standards referred to above, is intended to provide for the supply of apparatus giving a level of safety and performance suitable for general purpose applications. However, for specific applications, a prospective purchaser (or an appropriate authority) may additionally require the apparatus to be submitted to particular tests or approval. For example, group I apparatus (i.e. apparatus to be used in mines susceptible to firedamp) may not be permitted to be used without the additional, prior approval of the relevant authority in mines under its jurisdiction. Such particular tests/approval are to be regarded as additional to and separate from the provisions of the standards referred to above and do not preclude certification to or compliance with these standards.NOTE 2 – Group I and group II apparatus indicating up to a volume fraction of 100% methane and group II apparatus indicating up to a volume fraction of 100% gas are suitable for use only with the specific gases for which they have been calibrated.NOTE 3 – For the purpose of this standard, the terms "lower flammable limit (LFL)" and "lower explosive limit (LEL)" are deemed to be synonymous, and likewise the terms "upper flammable limit (UFL)" and "upper explosive limit (UEL)" are deemed to be synonymous. For ease of reference, the two abbreviations LFL and UFL may be used hereinafter to denote these two sets of terms. It should be recognized that particular authorities having jurisdiction may have overriding requirements that dictate the use of one of these sets of terms and not the other.1.1.2 This standard is applicable when an apparatus manufacturer makes any claims regarding any special features of construction or superior performance that exceed these minimum requirements. All such claims shall be verified and the test procedures shall be extended or supplemented, where necessary, to verify the claimed performance. The additional tests shall be agreed between the manufacturer and test laboratory.1.1.3 This standard is applicable to flammable gas detection apparatus intended to provide an indication, alarm or other output function, the purpose of which is to give a warning of a potential explosion hazard and, in some cases, to initiate automatic or manual protective action(s).1.1.4 This standard is applicable to apparatus, including the integral sampling systems of aspirated apparatus, intended to be used for commercial and industrial safety applications.1.1.5 This standard does not apply to external sampling systems, or to apparatus of laboratory or scientific type, or to apparatus used only for process control purposes.

First published as part of AS 1827-1975.
Revised and redesignated as AS 2275.1-1979.
AS 2275.2 first published 1979.
AS 2275.1-1979 and AS 2275.2-1979 jointly revised, amalgamated and redesignated in part as AS/NZS 61779.1:2000.