NFPA69 Standardon ExplosionPreventionSystems 2002Edition Copyright 2002, National Fire Protection Association, All Rights Reserved This edition of NFPA 69, Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems, was prepared by the Technical Committee on Explosion Protection Systems, and acted on by NFPA at its May Association Technical Meeting held May 19-23, 2002, in Minneapolis, MN. It was issued by the Standards Council on July 19, 2002, with an effective date of August8, 2002, and supersedes all previous editions. This edition of NFPA 69 was approved as an American National Standard on July 19, 2002 Origin and Development of NFPA 69 In 1965, an NFPA Committee was appointed to develop standards for explosion protection systems. These standards would include information on inerting to prevent explosions and on venting to minimize damage from an explosion. A tentative draft on explosion prevention systems was presented at the NFPA Annual Meeting in New York City in May 1969. This tentative document was officially adopted in May 1970. NFPA 69 was revised in 1973 and reconfirmed in 1978. In 1982, the Committee on Explosion Protection Systems began a thorough review of NFPA 69, including the development of a chapter on the technique of deflagration pressure containment. The results of that effort became the 1986 edition. The 1992 edition of NFPA 69 incorporated a new chapter, on deflagration isolation systems. Partial amendments were made to refine definitions, improve descriptions of oxidant concentration reduction techniques, improve material on deflagration suppression, and fine-tune deflagration pressure containment material. The 1997 edition of this standard included some reorganization and updating of the technical material to improve its usability. New material was added on enrichment to operate above the upper flammable limit as a means of explosion protection with minimum oxidant concentrations for preventing explosions. Material The 2002 edition of NFPA 69 includes new information on spark detection and extinguishment system design. A reorganization of the protection methods now reflects a hierarchy based upon the degree of explosion prevention. The LOC values for gases and vapors in Annex C have been updated based upon recent research. The standard has been revised to reflect NFPA Manual of Style requirements. Technical Committee on Explosion Protection Systems David C. Kirby, Chair Dow Corporation, WV [U] Richard F. Schwab, Vice Chair Honeywell, Inc., NJ [U] Luke S. Morrison, Secretary Professional Loss Control Inc., Canada [SE] Joe R.Barton, Fountaintown,IN[SE] William J.Bradford, Brookfield, CT [SE] Reinhard E. Bruderer, Pred-Engineering Inc., FL [U] Rep. Ciba-Geigy Corporation Kenneth L.Cashdollar, U.S.National Institute of Occupational Safety &Health, PA[RT] Kris Chatrathi, Fike Corporation, MO [M] Henry L. Febo, Jr., FM Global, MA [I] Mark A. Fry, Mark A. Fry & Associates, Inc., NJ [SE] Joseph P. Gillis, Westboro, MA [SE] Stanley S. Grossel, Process Safety & Design, Inc., NJ [SE] Dan A. Guaricci, ATEX Explosion Protection L.P., FL [M] Michael D. Hard, Hard Fire Suppression Systems, Inc., OH [IM] Rep. Fire Suppression Systems Association David D. Herrmann, E.I. duPont de Nemours & Co., DE [U] Copyright NFPA Walter B. Howard, Omaha, NE [SE] George Lobay, Canada Department of Natural Resources, Canada [E] R. A. Mancini, BP Amoco Corporation, IL [U] Rep. American Petroleum Institute Steven A. McCoy, National Starch & Chemical Co., IN [U] Rep. NFPA Industrial Fire Protection Section Robert W. Nelson, Pocasset, MA [] Rep. Industrial Risk Insurers John Joseph Plunkett, U.S. Coast Guard, DC [E] Mitchel L. Rooker, BS&B Safety Systems, OK [M] Kevin Sheddrick, Engineered Storage Products Co., KS [M] TimothyF.Simmons, Eastman Kodak Company,NY [U] Bill Stevenson, Cv Technology, Inc., FL [M] Stephen M. Stuart, Marsh USA, Inc., MI [I] Erdem A. Ural, Fenwal Safety Systems, MA [M] Roy A. Winkler, Solutia Inc., MO [U] Robert G. Zalosh, Worce