an atmosphere which could be explosive (the danger is a potential one). In some contexts, a distinction has to be made between explosive and potentially explosive atmospheres (cf. "explosive atmosphere")
Machinery must be designed and constructed to avoid any risk of explosion posed by the machinery itself or by gases, liquids, dust, vapours or other substances produced or used by the machinery. To that end the manufacturer must take steps to:
- avoid a dangerous concentration of products,
- prevent combustion of the potentially explosive atmosphere,
- minimise any explosion which may occur so that it does not endanger the surroundings.
