Potential Risks of Smartwatch Usage in Plant Areas and Recommended Risk Management Strategies
Smartwatches are popular devices and widely used. These devices offer various functionalities on top of timekeeping, ranging from fitness tracking and health monitoring to receiving/sending notifications and telephone calls, taking photos and productivity tools. Beyond their technological ability, smartwatches have also become fashion statements. Manufacturers offer a variety of designs, materials, and bands, allowing users to express their personal style. The fusion of fashion and technology has broadened the appeal of smartwatches to a wider audience.
Currently, most plants or process areas which classified as Hazardous Areas (Zone 0/1/2), allowed the usage of smartwatch due low energy capacity. The International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC TS 60079-48 (November 2023), a guide on the use of Portable or Personal Electronic Equipment as well as Energy Institute Research Reports highlighted that smartwatches could produce an ignition source due to devices powered by rechargeable lithium-ion cells. The objective of this paper is to discuss how to manage smartwatch risk in Hazardous Areas specifically in the plant or process area.
According to the IEC TS 60079 series of standards, all personal or portable electronic equipment used in hazardous areas must be Equipment Protection Level (EPL) certified. However, smartwatches typically do not have EPL certification. In cases where EPL certification is unavailable, an assessment is required before allowing their use in hazardous areas. This assessment ensures the devices meet specific criteria regarding size, battery capacity, and material type.
Besides the fire risk, smartwatches also present security concerns, such as unauthorized photo-taking in plants. Additionally, the increasing power capacity of smartwatches, with typical battery capacities ranging from 250 mAh to 570 mAh, introduces further risks.
Based on benchmarking practices among energy producers, comparisons of international standards and guidelines, and fire incident records related to smartwatches, it is recommended to prohibit their use in Zone 0. Precautions should be taken for their use in Zones 1 and 2, ensuring that only smartwatches with a voltage not exceeding 4.5 VDC and a maximum battery capacity of 350 mAh are permitted. The function of receiving/sending notifications and telephone/video calls shall also be disabled to minimise fire and security risk in hazardous area.