This European Standard specifies methods for explosion prevention and protection in mining by outlining the basic concepts and methodology for the design and construction of equipment, protective systems and components. This European Standard applies to Group I equipment, protective systems and components intended for use in underground parts of mines and those parts of their surface installations at risk from firedamp and/or combustible dust. NOTE Detailed information on specific equipment, protective systems and components is contained in the relevant individual standards. Safety-relevant data regarding flammable materials and explosive atmospheres are required for the design and construction of the explosion protection measures. This European Standard specifies methods for the identification and assessment of hazardous situations that may lead to explosions and describes the design and construction measures appropriate for the required safety. This is achieved by risk assessment and risk reduction. The safety of equipment, protective systems, and components can be achieved by eliminating hazards and/or limiting the risk, i.e. a) by appropriate design (without using safeguarding); b) by safeguarding; c) by information for use; d) by any other preventive measures. This standard is applicable to any equipment, protective systems and components intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. These atmospheres can arise from flammable materials processed, used or released by the equipment, protective systems and components or from materials in the vicinity of the equipment, protective systems and components and/or from the materials of construction of the equipment, protective systems and components. As shot firing can release potentially explosive atmospheres, this standard is also applicable to the equipment used for shot firing, apart from the explosives and detonators. This standard is applicable to equipment, protective systems and components at all sta