IEC 63241-2-1:2024

Overview

IEC 63241-2-1:2024 details the particular requirements for dust measurement procedures for hand-held core drills, supplementing the general guidelines established in IEC 63241-1. Developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), this International Standard tailors testing and reporting protocols for the unique application and risks associated with electric motor-operated hand-held core drills. By aligning with IEC 63241-2-1:2024, manufacturers, certification bodies, and testing laboratories can ensure consistent assessment of dust emissions, fostering improved occupational health and tool safety.

Key Topics

The standard focuses on several essential areas regarding dust measurement for hand-held core drills:

• Scope and Applicability
  Applies specifically to hand-held core drills, including those equipped to drill concrete or brick with or without percussion or water supply.

• Normative References
  Supplements IEC 63241-1:2023 and references EN 771-4:2011 for test materials (autoclaved aerated concrete masonry units).

• Clear Definitions
  Adds precise terminology for “core drill,” ensuring uniform understanding among stakeholders.

• Test Procedures
  Outlines the controlled operating conditions required for dust measurement:

  • Use of specified autoclaved aerated concrete blocks as test material.
  • Detailed arrangement of test setup, including the geometry and storage of test blocks.
  • Requirements for drill bits, speed settings, and application of feed force.
  • Specifics on the number and depth of holes drilled per test cycle.

• Instrumentation and Reporting

  • Measurement of dust concentrations, particularly the mean value for respirable dust.
  • Recording situations where test cycle time must be extended to complete the required operations.

Applications

IEC 63241-2-1:2024 is invaluable across various sectors:

• Manufacturers of Hand-Held Core Drills

  • Assists in designing tools to minimize harmful dust emissions and comply with recognized safety and health standards.
  • Enables consistent testing protocols for internal quality assurance and external regulatory compliance.

• Testing Laboratories

  • Provides standardized test conditions and reporting requirements to ensure comparable and valid dust emission measurement results.

• Certification and Regulatory Bodies

  • Supports conformity assessment and market surveillance activities by establishing internationally harmonized criteria for dust measurement.

• Occupational Health and Safety

  • Helps employers and users select tools that meet tested dust emission levels, contributing to healthier, regulated workplaces in construction and related industries.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to electric motor-operated tool safety and dust control, the following related standards are relevant:

• IEC 63241-1:2023
  Electric motor-operated tools – Dust measurement procedure – Part 1: General requirements
  The foundational standard outlining general procedures for dust measurement of motor-operated tools.

• EN 771-4:2011 and Amendment 1:2015
  Specification for masonry units – Part 4: Autoclaved aerated concrete masonry units
  Prescribes requirements for the test materials used in the dust measurement procedures.

• Other Parts of IEC 63241 Series
  Additional parts of the IEC 63241 series address dust measurement for different categories of tools and specific operational contexts. The IEC website lists all related publications.

By implementing IEC 63241-2-1:2024, stakeholders contribute to global harmonization in tool safety, enhance workplace health protection from respirable dust, and ensure compliance with internationally recognized dust measurement standards for hand-held core drills.