Gas turbines are a fundamental tool to ensure the steady supply of energy: at the heart of power plants, they act as an engine that turns natural gas into mechanical energy. In turn, this energy generates the electricity that moves along power lines to our homes and businesses.
The importance of gas turbines in modern energy systems means that ensuring their constant safety and efficiency is key. Luckily, a brand-new standard helps do just that.
EN ISO 21789:2022 'Gas turbine applications - Safety' covers the safety requirements for aero-derivative and industrial gas turbine prime mover applications using liquid or gaseous fuels. It also considers the safety-related control and detection systems for all types of open cycles (simple, combined, regenerative, reheat, etc.) used in onshore and offshore applications, including floating production platforms.
The standard details all anticipated significant hazards associated with gas turbines and specifies the appropriate measures and processes to prevent or minimise them. Among these threats, it not only addresses the risks of injury or death to humans, but it also includes possible risks to the environment.
EN ISO 21789:2022 addresses the safety requirements of the EU Directives on Machinery (2006/42/EC) and Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) (2014/34/EU). As a consequence, it will be soon offered to the European Commission for citation in the Official Journal of the EU, thus becoming a Harmonised Standard (hEN).
The standard was developed by CEN/TC 399 'Gas Turbines applications – Safety', whose Secretariat is held by BSI, the British Standards Institute, together with its corresponding technical body at the international level ISO/TC 192 'Gas turbines'.
