Intrinsically Safe two-way radios (walkie-talkies) approved to the FM3610_88 standard may only be manufactured through the end of December 2015.
The FM3610_88 expired in 2012 and affects products from all Land Mobile Radio manufacturers, that are certified to this standard. There are no known safety issues with two-way radios certified under the FM3610_88 standard. FM approved radios that are deployed in the field will maintain their FM Intrinsically Safe approval status.
Motorola is adapting to a new TIA-4950 standard for Hazardous Location certification of two-way radios, which is similar to the FM3610_88 standard. Compliance testing will be done by UL (Underwriters Laboratories). Radios will be approved to TIA-4950 standard for use in Division 1, Class I, Groups C, D, Class II, Group E, F, G and Class III hazardous locations. This is the same classification rating as FM3610_88.
Transition Summary: At-A-Glance
Where Are Intrinsically Safe (IS) Radios Typically Used?
According to the National Electric Code (NEC) NFPA 70, hazardous locations are: “Areas where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust or ignitable fibers or flyings.” These locations include refineries, fuel storage facilities, chemical plants, grain elevators and plastic processing plants.What Does This All Mean to IS Radio Users?
While there are no significant changes in form factor or performance, the new UL-approved Motorola Solutions radios will have a new UL label. You can use both FM-approved and UL-approved radios in the same fleet, however to keep either FM or UL certification valid, you cannot mix FM or UL certified radios and batteries since both certification companies approve the radio and battery together. While operations and environments differ, there are basic fleet management and preparedness strategies for Intrinsically Safe radio users to consider.Fleet Management Options
- Determine how or if you want to manage the logistics and risk of using a mixed fleet containing both FM and UL certified radios. (Remember: To keep FM or UL certification valid, you cannot mix FM and UL certified radios and batteries.)
- Decide if it’s a good strategy to add FM radios before the end of 2015 while stock is still available.
- Decide if you would rather accelerate migration to UL radios taking advantage of current Motorola promotions to save money. If you currently use analog radios, a transition to digital technologies provides even more benefits.