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Author: Veress Árpád · Explosion-protection expertDAILY Ex - 27 OCTOBER 2026
Today's focus: When a protective measure becomes part of the hazard. An explosion at a Spanish recycling facility, a fatal pyrotechnics incident in Brazil, new research into explosion-venting ducts and an approaching IEC standardization milestone lead today's edition. For Heads of Operations: Installing explosion protection is not enough. We must understand how it performs under real operating conditions.
⚡ DAILY Ex | 27 OCTOBER 2026
Explosion Protection | Operational Ex | Global Watch
Today's fokus: When a protective measure becomes part of the hazard.
An explosion at a Spanish recycling facility, a fatal pyrotechnics incident in Brazil, new research into explosion-venting ducts and an approaching IEC standardization milestone lead today's edition.
For Heads of Operations: Installing explosion protection is not enough. We must understand how it performs under real operating conditions.
🔴 1. SPAIN | Explosion injures worker at recycling facility
CURRENT INCIDENT - 26 October 2026
An explosion followed by a fire occurred at a recycling facility in La Llosa de Ranes, Valencia.
A 48-year-old worker suffered burns and was transported by medical helicopter to Hospital La Fe.
According to information from the provincial fire service, the fire affected waste materials and pallets outside the facility. Firefighters completed extinguishing operations shortly before noon.
The explosion's cause has not been established.
Why it matters operationally: Recycling operations involve changing material inventories and potentially unidentified hazards. Assessing combustible dust, flammable residues, batteries and other possible ignition or energy sources requires evidence about the actual waste stream-not assumptions about this incident.
🔴 2. BRAZIL | Fatal explosion at fireworks premises
NEW INCIDENT UPDATE - 26 October 2026
An explosion on 24 October destroyed premises used for fireworks manufacturing and storage in Franco da Rocha, São Paulo.
A 49-year-old worker died on 25 October from his injuries. Neighbouring buildings were damaged.
Authorities described the premises as operating without authorization. Police are investigating the cause, and emergency responders warned that explosive materials could remain among the debris.
Why it matters operationally: Explosion consequences extend beyond the equipment or building where an incident originates.
Management lesson: Hazardous-material inventories, separation distances, licensing and emergency planning must account for neighbouring properties and the public.
📘 3. IEC 60079-46 | Equipment assemblies approach a milestone
STANDARDS WATCH - 30 October 2026
The International Electrotechnical Commission confirms that the Final Draft International Standard for IEC 60079-46:2026 - Equipment assemblies remains in its voting period until 30 October.
The document addresses the design, construction, assessment, testing, marking and documentation of assemblies containing individually certified Ex equipment.
Crucially, it also addresses additional ignition hazards introduced when certified items are integrated.
Status clarification: This remains a final draft, not yet a published International Standard.
Why it matters operationally: Individual Ex certificates do not automatically establish the explosion safety of a complete skid, package or machine assembly.
https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/117098
⚖️ 4. ATEX | Published does not automatically mean harmonised
REGULATORY PRACTICE
A newly published IEC standard does not automatically become a harmonised European standard under ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
For presumption of conformity, the relevant European standard reference must be published in the EU Official Journal, covering the applicable essential requirements.
The European Commission maintains the official ATEX harmonised-standards references.
Why it matters operationally: Procurement and conformity-assessment specifications must distinguish between the latest technical edition and its legal status in the intended market.
🔬 5. RESEARCH | An explosion-venting duct can develop secondary combustion
RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT - 24 September 2026
Research published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy investigated explosion venting of aluminium hydride (AlH₃) dust.
Experiments examined pressure development inside a vessel and its connected venting duct.
The researchers observed secondary pressure rises in the duct associated with combustion after unburned material mixed with air.
The study also examined the role of hydrogen release during AlH₃ combustion.
These are material- and test-specific findings, not universal design values.
Why it matters operationally: Venting ducts are not simply pipes for transporting pressure outdoors.
Their geometry and combustion behaviour can influence explosion consequences.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.157176
📘 6. HISTORICAL LESSON | A replacement loading arm created a new hazard
DOCUMENTED INCIDENT - 2018; UK enforcement published May 2026
The UK Health and Safety Executive investigated a propane release at Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal.
Approximately 250–300 kg of liquid propane escaped when a loading-arm coupling disconnected prematurely.
The investigation identified inadequate Management of Change when loading arms were replaced with a different design.
The new equipment introduced controls and operating characteristics that were not properly addressed in the procedures.
The release did not ignite, but a serious flammable-vapour-cloud hazard developed.
Why it matters operationally: A replacement may fit mechanically while introducing new failure modes.
Field lesson: Like-for-like must be demonstrated technically, not declared administratively.
▶️ OPERATIONAL Ex USE CASE
The explosion vent needs a longer duct
PRACTICAL | Illustrative scenario
A combustible-dust processing plant has an indoor filter equipped with explosion venting.
The original venting arrangement discharges through a short duct to a designated outdoor area.
A building extension changes the layout.
To avoid interference with the new structure, Engineering proposes extending the venting duct.
The explosion vent itself remains unchanged.
Maintenance considers the modification minor.
But is the explosion-protection system still equivalent?
Not necessarily.
Increasing duct length or changing its geometry can affect pressure development, flame propagation and venting effectiveness.
The existing protection design may no longer be valid.
Before approving the modification, verify the applicable explosion characteristics, vent sizing, duct geometry, allowable reduced explosion pressure, discharge consequences and manufacturer's design limitations.
A competent specialist must assess whether the revised configuration provides adequate protection.
Owner: Engineering Manager, supported by the Ex Responsible Person.
Required evidence: Approved MoC, revised explosion-protection calculations, updated drawings, installation verification and return-to-service authorisation.
Measure: 100% of modifications affecting explosion-protection systems technically assessed before implementation.
▶️ TODAY'S Ex QUESTION
“Have we modified any explosion-protection systems without reassessing their performance?”
Think about vent ducts, isolation valves, explosion-suppression arrangements, extraction systems and protective shutdown functions.
A modification does not have to involve the protected machine itself to change its explosion-safety performance.
⚡ DAILY Ex | CLOSING THOUGHT
Today's research and incidents reinforce a fundamental engineering principle:
A protective measure must be evaluated as part of the complete installation.
An explosion vent has operating limits.
An isolation system depends on correct installation and configuration.
A certified component may introduce new hazards when incorporated into an assembly.
And an apparently minor modification can change the performance of the entire protection arrangement.
For Heads of Operations, the question is not only whether protection was installed correctly.
Can we demonstrate that it remains effective after everything that has changed?
That is Operational Ex.