Electrostatics - Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications - Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)

This part of IEC 61340 specifies requirements for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)
between 0,25 m3 and 3 m3 in volume, intended for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres.
The explosive atmosphere can be created by the contents in the FIBC or can exist outside the
FIBC.
The requirements include:
– classification and labelling of FIBC;
– classification of inner liners;
– specification of test methods for each type of FIBC, inner liner, labels and document
pockets;
– design and performance requirements for FIBC, inner liners, labels and document pockets;
– safe use of FIBC (including those with inner liners) within different zones defined for
explosion endangered environments, described for areas where combustible dusts are, or
can be, present (IEC 60079-10-2), and for explosive gas atmospheres (IEC 60079-10-1);
– procedures for type qualification and certification of FIBC, including the safe use of inner
liners.
NOTE 1 Guidance on test methods that can be used for manufacturing quality control is given in Annex C.
The requirements of this document are applicable to all types of FIBC and inner liners, tested
as manufactured, prior to use and intended for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres:
Zones 1 and 2 (Groups IIA and IIB only) and Zones 21 and 22 (see Annex D for classification
of hazardous areas and explosion groups). For some types of FIBC, the requirements of this
document apply only to use in hazardous explosive atmospheres with minimum ignition
energy of 0,14 mJ or greater and where charging currents do not exceed 3,0 μA.
NOTE 2
0,14 mJ represents a realistic minimum ignition energy for a Group IIB gas or vapour atmosphere. Although more
sensitive materials exist, 0,14 mJ is the lowest minimum ignition energy of any material that is likely to be present
when FIBC are emptied. 3,0 μA is the highest charging current likely to be found in common industrial processes.
This combination of minimum ignition energy and charging current represents the most severe conditions that
might be expected in practice.
FIBC are not normally used in Zone 0 or Zone 20. If FIBC are used in Zone 0 or Zone 20, the
requirements of this document are applicable, together with additional requirements that are
beyond the scope of this document to define.
The volume contained within FIBC can be designated as Zone 20, in which case the
requirements of this document are applicable.
Solids containing residual solvent can result in a hazardous explosive atmosphere within
FIBC, possibly resulting in the volume being designated as Zone 1 or Zone 2; in which case
the requirements of this document are applicable.
Compliance with the requirements specified in this document does not necessarily ensure that
hazardous electrostatic discharges, for example cone discharges, will not be generated by the
contents in FIBC. Information on the risks associated with cone discharges is given in
Annex E.
Compliance with the requirements of this document does not mitigate the need for full risk
assessment. For example, metal and other conductive powders and toner powders can
require additional precautions to prevent hazardous discharges from the powders.
NOTE 3 In the examples mentioned in the paragraph above, additional precautions can be necessary in the case
of metal or other conductive powder because if the powder is isolated and becomes charged, incendiary sparks can
occur, and in the case of toner powders, incendiary discharges can occur during rapid filling and emptying
operations. IEC TS 60079-32-1 [1]1 gives guidance on additional precautions that can be necessary.
Test methods included in this document can be used in association with other performance
requirements, for example when a risk assessment has shown the minimum ignition energy of
concern is less than 0,14 mJ, charging currents are greater than 3,0 μA, or the ambient
conditions are outside of the range specified in this document.

Elektrostatik - Teil 4-4: Normprüfverfahren für spezielle Anwendungen - Einordnung flexibler Schüttgutbehälter (FIBC) in elektrostatischer Hinsicht (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)

Electrostatique - Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications spécifiques - Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS) (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)

NEW!IEC 61340-4-4:2018 est disponible sous forme de IEC 61340-4-4:2018 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.

L'IEC 61340-4-4:2018 spécifie les exigences relatives aux grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS) dont le volume est compris entre 0,25 m3 et 3 m3, destinés à être utilisés dans des atmosphères explosives dangereuses. L'atmosphère explosive peut être créée par le contenu du GRVS ou peut exister à l'extérieur du GRVS. Les exigences comportent:
– la classification et l'étiquetage des GRVS;
– la classification des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs;
– la spécification des méthodes d'essai pour chaque type de GRVS, du revêtement protecteur intérieur, des étiquettes et des pochettes de documents;
– les exigences de conception et de performance des GRVS, des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs, des étiquettes et des pochettes de documents;
– l'utilisation sécurisée des GRVS (incluant ceux qui comportent des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs) dans des zones différentes définies pour des environnements présentant un danger d'explosion, décrite pour des zones où des poussières combustibles sont présentes ou peuvent être présentes (IEC 60079-10-2) et pour des atmosphères explosives gazeuses (IEC 60079-10-1);
– les procédures de qualification de type et de certification des GRVS, incluant l'utilisation sécurisée des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs. Cette troisième édition annule et remplace la deuxième édition, parue en 2012, et l'Amendement 1:2014. Cette édition constitue une révision technique. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
a) au vu des preuves expérimentales, la limite maximale de résistance de mise à la terre pour les GRVS de Type C, et les limites de résistance associées des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs utilisés dans les GRVS de Type C ont été augmentées de 10 M ohms à 100 M ohms;
b) la classification des revêtements protecteurs intérieurs de Type L1 a été révisée et étendue aux revêtements protecteurs intérieurs de Type L1C fabriqués à partir de matériaux multicouches ayant une couche interne conductrice;
c) une exigence relative à l'étiquetage permettant d'inclure une référence à l'IEC TS 60079-32-1 concernant les recommandations relatives à la mise à la terre a été ajoutée.

Elektrostatika - 4-4. del: Standardne preskusne metode za posebno uporabo - Elektrostatična razvrstitev prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov (FIBC) (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)

Ta del standarda IEC 61340 določa zahteve za prožne vmesne vsebnike (FIBC) s prostornino med 0,25 m3 in 3 m3 za uporabo v nevarnih eksplozivnih atmosferah.
Eksplozivna atmosfera lahko nastane zaradi vsebine v prožnih vmesnih vsebnikih ali pa obstaja zunaj prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov.
Zahteve vključujejo:
– razvrstitev in označevanje prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov;
– razvrstitev notranjih oblog;
– specifikacijo preskusnih metod za vsako vrsto prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov, notranjih oblog, oznak in map za dokumente;
– zahteve glede zasnove in delovanja za prožne vmesne vsebnike, notranje obloge, oznake in mape za dokumente;
– varno uporabo prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov (tudi tistih z notranjimi oblogami) v različnih conah, opredeljenih za eksplozijsko ogroženo okolje, za območja, kjer je ali je lahko prisoten gorljiv prah (IEC 60079-10-2), ter za eksplozivne plinske atmosfere (IEC 60079-10-1);
– postopke za kvalifikacijo in certificiranje vrst prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov, vključno z varno uporabo notranjih oblog.
OPOMBA 1: Smernice glede preskusnih metod, ki se lahko uporabljajo za kontrolo kakovosti proizvodnje, so podane v dodatku C.
Zahteve tega dokumenta se uporabljajo za vse vrste prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov in notranjih oblog, ki so bili pred uporabo preskušeni v obliki, v kateri so bili izdelani, za uporabo v nevarnih eksplozivnih atmosferah:
con 1 in 2 (samo skupini IIA in IIB) ter con 21 in 22 (glej dodatek D za razvrstitev nevarnih območij in eksplozijskih skupin). Za nekatere vrste prožnih vmesnih vsebnikov se zahteve tega dokumenta nanašajo le na uporabo v nevarnih eksplozivnih atmosferah z najmanjšo vžigno energijo 0,14 mJ ali več, v katerih napajalni tokovi ne presegajo 3 μA.
OPOMBA 2:
Vžigna energija 0,14 mJ predstavlja realistično najmanjšo vžigno energijo za atmosfero iz plina ali hlapov iz skupine IIB. Čeprav obstajajo občutljivejši materiali, je vžigna energija 0,14 mJ najnižja vžigna energija za katerikoli material, ki je lahko prisoten pri praznjenju prožnega vmesnega vsebnika. Tok 3 μA je največji napajalni tok, ki se uporablja pri običajnih industrijskih postopkih.
Ta kombinacija najmanjše vžigne energije in napajalnega toka predstavlja najresnejše pogoje, ki se jih lahko pričakuje v praksi.
Prožni vmesni vsebniki se običajno ne uporabljajo v eksplozivnih atmosferah cone 0 ali 20. Če se prožni vmesni vsebniki uporabljajo v eksplozivnih atmosferah cone 0 ali 20, se uporabljajo zahteve iz tega dokumenta skupaj z dodatnimi zahtevami, ki jih ta dokument ne opredeljuje.
Vsebina prožnega vmesnega vsebnika je lahko opredeljena kot eksplozivna atmosfera cone 20. V tem primeru se uporabljajo zahteve iz tega dokumenta.
Trdne snovi, ki vsebujejo ostanke topila, lahko povzročijo nastanek nevarne eksplozivne atmosfere znotraj prožnega vmesnega vsebnika, pri čemer se vsebina prožnega vmesnega vsebnika lahko opredeli kot eksplozivna atmosfera cone 1 ali 2. V tem primeru se uporabljajo zahteve iz tega dokumenta.
Skladnost z zahtevami iz tega dokumenta morda ne zagotavlja, da vsebina v prožnih vmesnih vsebnikih ne bo povzročila nevarnih elektrostatičnih razelektritev,
npr. razelektritve nakopičenega prahu. Informacije glede tveganj, povezanih z razelektritvami nakopičenega prahu, so podane v
dodatku E.
Skladnost z zahtevami iz tega dokumenta ne zmanjšuje potrebe po celostni oceni
tveganja. Kovinski in drugi prevodni prah ter prah za tonerje lahko
na primer zahteva dodatne preventivne ukrepe za preprečevanje nevarnih razelektritev prahu.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
23-Apr-2018
Technical Committee
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
12-Apr-2018
Due Date
17-Jun-2018
Completion Date
24-Apr-2018

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
01-junij-2018
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012
SIST EN 61340-4-4:2012/A1:2015
(OHNWURVWDWLNDGHO6WDQGDUGQHSUHVNXVQHPHWRGH]DSRVHEQRXSRUDER
(OHNWURVWDWLþQDUD]YUVWLWHYSURåQLKYPHVQLKYVHEQLNRY ),%&  ,(&
Electrostatics - Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications - Electrostatic
classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)
Elektrostatik - Teil 4-4: Normprüfverfahren für spezielle Anwendungen - Einordnung
flexibler Schüttgutbehälter (FIBC) in elektrostatischer Hinsicht (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)
Electrostatique - Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications
spécifiques - Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples
(GRVS) (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
ICS:
17.220.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi z Other standards related to
elektriko in magnetizmom electricity and magnetism
55.180.99 Drugi standardi v zvezi z Other standards related to
distribucijo blaga s prevozom freight distribution of goods
SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018


EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61340-4-4

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2018
ICS 17.220.99; 29.020; 55.080 Supersedes EN 61340-4-4:2012
English Version
Electrostatics - Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific
applications - Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate
bulk containers (FIBC)
(IEC 61340-4-4:2018)
Electrostatique - Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées Elektrostatik - Teil 4-4: Normprüfverfahren für spezielle
pour des applications spécifiques - Classification Anwendungen - Einordnung flexibler Schüttgutbehälter
électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples (FIBC) in elektrostatischer Hinsicht
(GRVS) (IEC 61340-4-4:2018)
(IEC 61340-4-4:2018)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2018-03-06. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.



European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2018 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
 Ref. No. EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018 E

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018 (E)

European foreword
The text of document 101/546/FDIS, future edition 3 of IEC 61340-4-4, prepared by IEC/TC 101
"Electrostatics" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as
EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018.

The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be (dop) 2018-12-06
implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
(dow) 2021-03-06
• latest date by which the national
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn

This document supersedes EN 61340-4-4:2012.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.


Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61340-4-4:2018 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards indicated:

IEC 60079-32-2 NOTE Harmonized as EN 60079-32-2.
IEC 61340-2-1 NOTE Harmonized as EN 61340-2-1.

2

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018 (E)

Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.

NOTE 1  Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant
EN/HD applies.

NOTE 2  Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available here:
www.cenelec.eu.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60079-10-1 -  Explosive atmospheres - Part 10-1: EN 60079-10-1 -
Classification of areas - Explosive gas
atmospheres
IEC 60079-10-2 -  Explosive atmospheres - Part 10-2: EN 60079-10-2 -
Classification of areas - Explosive dust
atmospheres
IEC 60243-1 2013 Electric strength of insulating materials - EN 60243-1 2013
Test methods -- Part 1: Tests at power
frequencies
IEC 60243-2 -  Electric strength of insulating materials - EN 60243-2 -
Test methods - Part 2: Additional
requirements for tests using direct voltage
IEC 60417-DB -  Graphical symbols for use on equipment - -
IEC 61340-2-3 -  Electrostatics - Part 2-3: Methods of test EN 61340-2-3 -
for determining the resistance and
resistivity of solid materials used to avoid
electrostatic charge accumulation
ISO 7000 -  Graphical symbols for use on equipment - - -
Registered symbols
ISO 21898 -  Packaging - Flexible intermediate bulk EN ISO 21898 -
containers (FIBCs) for non-dangerous
goods
ISO/IEC 80079-20-2 -  Explosive atmospheres - Part 20-2: EN ISO/IEC 80079- -
Material characteristics - Combustible 20-2
dusts test methods
ASTM E582 -  Standard test method for minimum ignition - -
energy and quenching distance in gaseous
mixtures


3

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018




IEC 61340-4-4

®


Edition 3.0 2018-01




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME



INTERNATIONALE
colour

inside










Electrostatics –

Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications – Electrostatic

classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)




Électrostatique –

Partie 4-4: Méthodes d'essai normalisées pour des applications spécifiques –


Classification électrostatique des grands récipients pour vrac souples (GRVS)












INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


COMMISSION

ELECTROTECHNIQUE


INTERNATIONALE




ICS 17.220.99; 29.020; 55.080 ISBN 978-2-8322-5264-2



Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
– 2 – IEC 61340-4-4:2018 © IEC 2018
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 5
INTRODUCTION . 7
1 Scope . 8
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
4 Classification . 12
4.1 Classification for FIBC . 12
4.1.1 Principles of classification. 12
4.1.2 Type A . 12
4.1.3 Type B . 12
4.1.4 Type C. 12
4.1.5 Type D. 12
4.2 Principles of classification and requirements for inner liners . 12
4.2.1 Components of inner liners . 12
4.2.2 Surface resistivity measurements for inner liners . 13
4.2.3 Breakdown voltage measurements for inner liners . 13
4.2.4 Type L1 . 14
4.2.5 Type L1C . 15
4.2.6 Type L2 . 15
4.2.7 Type L3 . 16
4.3 Combination of FIBC and inner liners . 17
5 Safe use of FIBC . 17
6 Labelling . 19
7 Requirements for FIBC . 22
7.1 General remarks . 22
7.2 Requirements for dust environments with ignition energies greater than 3 mJ
(apply to Type B FIBC, Type C FIBC and Type D FIBC) . 22
7.3 Requirements for vapour and gas atmospheres and for dust environments
with ignition energies of 3 mJ or less . 23
7.3.1 Type C FIBC . 23
7.3.2 Type D FIBC . 23
8 Atmosphere for conditioning, calibrating and testing . 24
8.1 Conditioning time . 24
8.2 Electrical breakdown voltage, surface resistivity and resistance to
groundable point testing . 24
8.3 Surface resistivity testing . 24
8.4 Ignition testing . 24
9 Test procedures . 24
9.1 Sampling. 24
9.2 Electrical breakdown voltage. 24
9.3 Ignition testing . 25
9.3.1 Apparatus . 25
9.3.2 Establishing correct charging current . 32
9.3.3 Ignition tests . 32
9.4 Resistance to groundable point . 35
9.4.1 Apparatus . 35

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
IEC 61340-4-4:2018 © IEC 2018 – 3 –
9.4.2 Test procedure . 35
10 Test report . 36
10.1 General . 36
10.2 For all types of testing . 37
10.3 For electrical breakdown voltage testing . 37
10.4 For ignition testing . 37
10.5 For resistance to groundable point testing . 37
10.6 For surface resistivity testing of inner liners, labels and document pockets . 37
10.7 For test reports issued by accredited testing authorities . 37
Annex A (informative) Electrical breakdown voltage – Typical voltage/time graphs . 39
Annex B (normative) Polypropylene pellets for ignition testing . 40
Annex C (informative) Guidance on test methods for manufacturing quality control . 41
C.1 Introductory remarks . 41
C.2 Test methods . 41
C.2.1 Resistance measurements . 41
C.2.2 Charge decay measurements . 42
C.2.3 Charge transfer measurements . 42
Annex D (normative) Classification of hazardous areas and zones . 43
Annex E (informative) Risks associated with cone discharges . 44
Annex F (informative) Explanation for resistance and resistivity limits, and thickness
limits for insulating layers of inner liners . 45
F.1 Resistance to groundable point limit for Type C FIBC . 45
F.2 Resistivity of inner liners . 45
F.3 Thickness of insulating layers of inner liners . 45
Bibliography . 47

Figure 1 – Examples of inner liners in FIBC . 13
Figure 2 – Example of a label for Type B FIBC . 20
Figure 3 – Example of a label for Type C FIBC . 20
Figure 4 – Example of a label for Type D FIBC . 21
Figure 5 – Example of labels for Type C FIBC designated earth bonding points . 21
Figure 6 – Ignition probe . 26
Figure 7 – Perforated metal plate for use in ignition probe . 27
Figure 8 – Gas control and mixing apparatus (schematic) . 28
Figure 9 – FIBC filling rig (schematic) . 30
Figure 10 – Corona charging unit (schematic) . 31
Figure A.1 – Example of voltage/time graph for material showing distinct breakdown . 39
Figure A.2 – Example of voltage/time graph for material showing reduction in rate of
voltage rise because of conduction within the test material . 39

Table 1 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L1 inner liners (without
conductive internal layers) . 14
Table 2 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L1C inner liners (with
a
conductive internal layers ) . 15
Table 3 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L2 inner liners . 16
Table 4 – Permissible configurations and requirements for Type L3 inner liners . 17

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
– 4 – IEC 61340-4-4:2018 © IEC 2018
Table 5 – Use of different types of FIBC . 17
Table 6 – Inner liners and FIBC: combinations that are permissible and not permissible
in hazardous explosive atmospheres . 18
Table 7 – Volume concentrations of flammable gas mixture . 27
Table 8 – Example of full sample description to be included in the test report . 38
Table B.1 – Particle size distribution of polypropylene pellets . 40
Table D.1 – Classification of hazardous areas in IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC 60079-10-2 . 43
Table D.2 – Classification of zones in IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC 60079-10-2 . 43

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
IEC 61340-4-4:2018 © IEC 2018 – 5 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

ELECTROSTATICS –

Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications –
Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)

FOREWORD
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8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61340-4-4 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 101:
Electrostatics.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition, published in 2012, and
Amendment 1:2014. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
edition:
a) in light of experimental evidence, the maximum resistance to ground limit for Type C FIBC,
and corresponding resistance limits for inner liners used in Type C FIBC has been
7 8
increased from 1,0 × 10 Ω to 1,0 × 10 Ω;
b) the classification of Type L1 inner liners has been revised and extended to include Type
L1C inner liners made from multi-layer materials with a conductive internal layer;

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
– 6 – IEC 61340-4-4:2018 © IEC 2018
c) a labelling requirement to include a reference to IEC TS 60079-32-1 for guidance on
earthing has been added.
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
101/546/FDIS 101/555/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this International Standard can be found in
the report on voting indicated in the above table.
This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
A list of all parts in the IEC 61340 series, published under the general title Electrostatics, can
be found on the IEC website.
The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct
understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a
colour printer.

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
IEC 61340-4-4:2018 © IEC 2018 – 7 –
INTRODUCTION
Flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) are widely used for the storage, transportation
and handling of powdered, flaked or granular material. Typically, they are constructed from
3
woven polypropylene fabric in the form of cubic bags of about 1 m volume, although they can
3 3
vary in shape and in size from 0,25 m to 3 m . The fabric used may be a single layer, a
multi-layer laminate, or a coated fabric. Untreated polypropylene is an electrical insulator, as
is often the case with the products placed in FIBC. There is ample opportunity for the
generation of electrostatic charge during filling and emptying operations and in unprotected
FIBC high levels of charge can quickly build up. In such cases, electrostatic discharges are
inevitable and can be a severe problem when FIBC are used in hazardous explosive
atmospheres.
A hazardous explosive atmosphere can be generated when handling fine powders that create
dust clouds or thin layers of powder, both of which can be ignited by electrostatic discharges.
A hazardous explosive atmosphere can also be generated when using gases or volatile
solvents. In these industrial situations, there is clearly a need to eliminate incendive
electrostatic discharges.
As with any industrial equipment, a thorough risk assessment should always be conducted
before using FIBC in potentially hazardous situations. This part of IEC 61340 describes a
system of classification, test methods, performance and design requirements and safe use
procedures that can be used by manufacturers, specifiers and end-users as part of a risk
assessment of any FIBC intended for use within a hazardous explosive atmosphere. However,
it does not include procedures for evaluating the specific risks of electrostatic discharges
arising from products within FIBC, for example cone discharges, from personnel or from
equipment used near FIBC. Information on risks associated with cone discharges is given in
Annex E.
CAUTION: The test methods specified in this document involve the use of high voltage
power supplies and flammable gases that may present hazards if handled incorrectly,
particularly by unqualified or inexperienced personnel. Users of this document are
encouraged to carry out proper risk assessments and pay due regard to local regulations
before undertaking any of the test procedures.

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SIST EN IEC 61340-4-4:2018
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ELECTROSTATICS –

Part 4-4: Standard test methods for specific applications –
Electrostatic classification of flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)



1 Scope
This part of IEC 61340 specifies requirements for flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC)
3 3
between 0,25 m and 3 m in volume, intended for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres.
The explosive atmosphere can be created by the contents in the FIBC or can exist outside the
FIBC.
The requirements include:
– classification and labelling of FIBC;
– classification of inner liners;
– specification of test methods for each type of FIBC, inner liner, labels and document
pockets;
– design and performance requirements for FIBC, inner liners, labels and document pockets;
– safe use of FIBC (including those with inner liners) within different zones defined for
explosion endangered environments, described for areas where combustible dusts are, or
can be, present (IEC 60079-10-2), and for explosive gas atmospheres (IEC 60079-10-1);
– procedures for type qualification and certification of FIBC, including the safe use of inner
liners.
NOTE 1 Guidance on test methods that can be used for manufacturing quality control is given in Annex C.
The requirements of this document are applicable to all types of FIBC and inner liners, tested
as manufactured, prior to use and intended for use in hazardous explosive atmospheres:
Zones 1 and 2 (Groups IIA and IIB only) and Zones 21 and 22 (see Annex D for classification
of hazardous areas and explosion groups). For
...

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