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Author: Veress Árpád · Explosion-protection expertDAILY Ex - 13 OCTOBER 2026
Today's focus: The difference between certified equipment and a safe operating process. Today's selection covers an important EU ATEX harmonisation decision, international IECEx certification recognition, a fatal methanol-tank explosion, new combustible-dust research, hazardous-area tracking technology and an industrial machinery event beginning today. The central question for Heads of Operations: When a process, material or machine changes, who verifies that the original explosion-protection assumptions remain valid?
⚡ DAILY Ex - 13 OCTOBER 2026
Explosion Protection | Operational Ex | Global Watch
Today's focus: The difference between certified equipment and a safe operating process.
Today's selection covers an important EU ATEX harmonisation decision, international IECEx certification recognition, a fatal methanol-tank explosion, new combustible-dust research, hazardous-area tracking technology and an industrial machinery event beginning today.
The central question for Heads of Operations:
When a process, material or machine changes, who verifies that the original explosion-protection assumptions remain valid?
▶️ 1. EU ATEX - OPTICAL RADIATION STANDARD HARMONISED
REGULATORY WATCH | European Union - 4 September 2026
The European Commission has formally included EN IEC 60079-28:2026 in the harmonized-standards framework supporting ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1967 addresses equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation.
The previous reference, EN 60079-28:2015, remains applicable for presumption of conformity until 4 March 2028. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32026D1967
Why it matters operationally?
Optical ignition hazards are relevant to laser instruments, optical communication systems and certain industrial measurement technologies.
An optical device is not automatically safe simply because it contains no conventional electrical ignition source at the point of emission.
Management action: Review the optical equipment register, certification basis and any planned replacements.
▶️ 2. IECEx - INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION RECOGNITION
RECENT SCHEME DEVELOPMENT | China - 18 September 2026
China's State Administration for Market Regulation published an update following the IECEx Annual Meetings in Beijing.
According to the authority, China's compulsory certification system has recognised nearly 3,000 IECEx certification results issued by overseas certification bodies.
The authority also reported continuing international cooperation on certification recognition. https://www.samr.gov.cn/xw/sj/art/2026/art_04c85dfc97c84464b9c013dbb0fd0a73.html
Why it matters operationally?
IECEx provides an internationally recognised conformity-assessment framework, but national market-access requirements can still apply.
For manufacturers and EPC contractors:
IECEx certificate → national recognition requirements → applicable product approval → installation acceptance.
A valid IECEx certificate does not automatically establish unrestricted market access in every country.
▶️ 3. ARGENTINA - FATAL METHANOL-TANK EXPLOSION
RECENT INCIDENT | 29 September 2026
An explosion involving a methanol tank occurred at the Albardon Bio biofuels facility in Puerto General San Martín, Argentina.
Two contract workers died and four others were injured.
The explosion occurred during maintenance work performed by an external contractor. Fire and structural damage followed.
The initiating cause remains under investigation.
Why it matters operationally?
Maintenance on equipment containing flammable liquids requires more than an approved work order.
Before opening or working on a tank:
isolation → draining → cleaning → atmospheric assessment → ignition-source control → permit authorisation → verification.
The precise requirements depend on the task and conditions.
Head of Operations lesson: A contractor's work permit is not proof that the equipment has been made safe.
▶️ 4. USA - NEW CSB VIDEO REVISITS FATAL REFINERY FIRE
NEW SAFETY MATERIAL | 1–8 October 2026
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has released a new safety video examining the September 2022 BP-Husky refinery fire in Ohio.
The historical incident killed two workers.
The investigation found that liquid naphtha entered equipment normally handling fuel gas. During the abnormal situation, flammable liquid was released to the ground, producing a vapour cloud that ignited.
The investigation also identified serious weaknesses in abnormal-situation management and alarm handling.
The new video had exceeded 500,000 views by 8 October. https://www.csb.gov/us-chemical-safety-board-issues-final-report-into-fatal-2022-fire-at-bp-husky-refinery-near-toledo-ohio/?F_All=y&folder=current_investiga...
Why it matters operationally?
The incident demonstrates how process abnormalities can defeat assumptions about what a system normally contains.
A vessel normally containing gas may unexpectedly contain liquid.
Operational lesson: Verify actual process conditions before authorising an abnormal operation.
https://www.csb.gov/videos/-alarming-mistakes-deadly-decisions-fatal-fire-at-bp-husky/
▶️ 5. RESEARCH - WOOD-PELLET DUST EXPLOSION CHARACTERISTICS
RECENT RESEARCH | Japan - September 2026
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science published an experimental investigation of wood-pellet dust explosion hazards in Fire Safety Journal.
The study examined minimum ignition energy, minimum explosible concentration, maximum explosion pressure and deflagration index.
An important finding was that particle size and the method used to produce the dust influenced its explosibility.
Smaller particles generally produced more severe explosion characteristics in the experiments.
Why it matters operationally?
Changing a crushing, grinding or screening process can change the explosion characteristics of the material being handled.
Existing explosion-protection calculations may no longer represent the actual process.
Engineering lesson: Material properties are not necessarily constant throughout the production lifecycle.
▶️ 6. GERMANY - INDUSTRIAL MIXING AND EXPLOSION PROTECTION
CURRENT EVENT | 13–14 October 2026
The industrial mixing technology seminar organised by Gebrüder Lödige Maschinenbau begins today in Paderborn.
The programme combines mixing, granulation, dosing, bulk-solids handling and explosion protection.
It includes practical demonstrations and technical contributions from machinery and safety specialists. https://www.loedige.de/events/
Why it matters operationally?
Explosion protection in machinery cannot be separated from process performance.
Changes in mixing speed, material composition, throughput or powder characteristics can affect ignition hazards and explosion severity.
Operational lesson: Process optimisation and Ex engineering must remain connected.
https://www.loedige.de/news/beitrag/loedige-seminar-industrielle-mischtechnik-2026/
▶️ 7. COMPETENCE & INSPECTION - WHO VERIFIES THE SMALL CHANGES?
GOOD ENGINEERING PRACTICE |
A machine undergoes routine maintenance.
A filter is replaced.
A seal is changed.
A drive parameter is adjusted.
A different material is introduced.
Individually, these changes may appear insignificant.
But several small changes can gradually move equipment away from its original assessed configuration.
Operational Ex requires a clear distinction between:
Routine maintenance that restores the approved configuration, and modifications that require engineering assessment.
The person performing the work must be competent to recognise when that boundary has been crossed.
Management action: Include Ex impact screening in maintenance work orders and require technical review whenever equivalence cannot be demonstrated.
▶️ 8. OPERATIONAL Ex USE CASE - THE FINER POWDER
PRACTICAL |
A biomass-processing facility wants to improve product consistency.
Maintenance installs a different screen in the milling equipment.
The resulting powder is finer.
Production quality improves.
Throughput remains acceptable.
Nobody updates the explosion-protection assessment.
But the particle-size distribution has changed.
This may affect ignition sensitivity, dust-cloud behaviour and explosion severity.
The original explosion venting or suppression design may have been based on different material characteristics.
Before accepting the modification: Verify the new particle-size distribution, relevant explosion characteristics, equipment operating conditions and protection-system design basis.
Operational lesson: A production-quality improvement can introduce an explosion-protection change without altering the equipment's Ex marking.
▶️ TODAY'S Ex QUESTION
“Which process changes have we accepted as routine maintenance without checking their Ex implications?”
Consider changes to screens, filters, seals, operating speeds, material specifications and control parameters.
For one recently modified machine, ask:
What changed?
Who assessed the Ex impact?
What evidence supports continued operation?
Was the Verification Dossier updated where necessary?
Who authorized return to service?
If these questions cannot be answered, the modification process needs attention.
DAILY Ex | CLOSING THOUGHT
A machine may have been correctly designed.
Its components may be certified.
Its installation may have passed inspection.
But its explosion-protection performance depends on the operating conditions for which it was assessed.
The real challenge is not maintaining the original documentation.
It is maintaining the connection between that documentation and the machine operating today.
That is Operational Ex.