© Edwards Limited 2008. All rights reserved. Page 17
Edwards and the Edwards logo are trademarks of Edwards Limited.
OPERATION
A652-18-880 Issue C
6OPERATION
Note: We recommend that you obtain and read the Vacuum Pump and Vacuum System Safety manual (publication
number P300-20-000), available from Edwards or your supplier.
6.1 Pumping flammable/pyrophoric materials
When flammable materials are present within the equipment you must:
z Not allow air to enter the equipment.
z Ensure the system is leak tight.
z Use an inert gas purge (for example, a nitrogen purge) to dilute any flammable gases or vapours entering the
pump inlet, and/or use an inert gas purge to reduce the concentration of flammable gases or vapours in the
pump and in the exhaust pipeline to less than one quarter of the gases' published lower explosive limits
(LEL).
Use an inert gas purge in to the pump gas ballast connection to prevent the condensation of flammable vapours within
the pump mechanism and exhaust pipeline.
WARNING
If you supply your own control system you must include emergency stop devices. These should be
fitted with restart lockouts such that a new start command may only take effect after the lockouts
have intentionally been reset.
WARNING
You must obey the instructions within this manual. Failure to do so will compromise the ATEX
compliance and may cause harm, injury or death to persons.
WARNING
You must obey the instructions and take note of the precautions given below, to ensure that
pumped gases do not enter their flammable ranges.