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Atex

ATEX – Equipment and Safety in Explosive Atmospheres

ATEX is derived from the French expression ATmosphères EXplosibles and refers to European Union legislation concerning explosive atmospheres and the safety of equipment used in such environments.

An explosive atmosphere is a mixture of flammable gases, vapours, mists or dusts with air in which, after ignition, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture. Such atmospheres may occur in many industrial sectors including oil and gas, chemicals, petrochemicals, paint, pharmaceuticals, food, grain processing, woodworking and metal industries.

The main objective of ATEX is to protect employees in areas where explosive atmospheres may occur, ensure that the correct equipment is used in the correct hazardous area, and establish a systematic framework for equipment conformity assessment.

The Two Main Pillars of ATEX Legislation

In European Union and Turkish national legislation, explosive atmospheres are addressed within two main regulatory frameworks:

2014/34/EU (ATEX 114 / Equipment Directive)

Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres

  • Applies to manufacturers, producers and importers.
  • Defines equipment groups (Group I – Mining, Group II – Industry) and categories (Category 1, 2 and 3).
  • Includes requirements concerning CE marking, Ex marking and Notified Body conformity assessment.
  • Covers both electrical and non-electrical mechanical Ex equipment.
  • Covers protective systems, components and certain safety, controlling and regulating devices.

1999/92/EC (ATEX 153 / Workplace Directive)

Protection of Workers from the Risks of Explosive Atmospheres

  • Applies to employers and plant operators.
  • Requires hazardous areas to be classified as Zone 0, 1, 2 and Zone 20, 21, 22.
  • Requires explosion risks to be assessed and an Explosion Protection Document to be prepared.
  • Covers verification of equipment suitability for the relevant hazardous area (Zone).
  • Requires technical and organizational explosion protection measures.

The former 94/9/EC Directive was replaced by 2014/34/EU as of 20 April 2016.

IEP Notified Body (NB 2284) Assurance

Our institute is a Notified Body recognized by the European Commission under ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU with identification number NB 2284, and is an independent certification body accredited by TÜRKAK according to TS EN ISO/IEC 17065. Product certification, type examination/testing activities, production quality assurance assessments and related conformity assessment activities are carried out by our experienced technical team.

Products Covered by ATEX

Directive 2014/34/EU covers not only electrical devices, but also a broad range of products that may create an explosion risk or contribute to explosion safety:

  • Electrical equipment,
  • Non-electrical mechanical equipment,
  • Protective systems,
  • Safety, controlling and regulating devices,
  • Components used within the scope of ATEX.

What Is Ex Equipment?

Ex equipment is a general term for equipment designed for safe use in areas where explosive atmospheres are present or may occur.

Although the term “Ex-proof” is widely used in practice, it does not mean that all Ex equipment operates according to the same protection principle. Equipment may be designed using different protection methods such as Ex d, Ex e, Ex i, Ex p, Ex m and Ex t.

Explosive Atmospheres and Zone Classification

Areas where an explosive atmosphere may occur are classified according to the frequency and duration of the explosive atmosphere.

Atmosphere Zone ATEX Category EPL
Gas / Vapour Zone 0 1G Ga
Gas / Vapour Zone 1 2G or higher protection level Gb / Ga
Gas / Vapour Zone 2 3G or higher protection level Gc / Gb / Ga
Combustible Dust Zone 20 1D Da
Combustible Dust Zone 21 2D or higher protection level Db / Da
Combustible Dust Zone 22 3D or higher protection level Dc / Db / Da

How to Select the Correct Ex Equipment

The presence of an Ex marking on equipment does not mean that the equipment can be used in every explosive atmosphere. The following parameters should be evaluated together when selecting equipment:

  • Zone classification,
  • Equipment category and EPL,
  • Gas or dust group,
  • Temperature class or maximum surface temperature,
  • Ex protection type,
  • Ambient temperature,
  • IP protection rating,
  • Certificate and marking information.
Example ATEX / Ex Marking:
II 2G Ex db IIB T4 Gb

This marking provides information about the equipment group, category, type of explosive atmosphere, protection method, gas group, temperature class and Equipment Protection Level (EPL).

ATEX Conformity Assessment

The conformity assessment procedure under Directive 2014/34/EU may vary depending on the equipment group, category and design of the product. From the manufacturer's perspective, the process generally includes:

  1. Determining whether the product falls within the scope of the ATEX Directive,
  2. Determining the equipment group, product category and EPL,
  3. Identifying the applicable EN / IEC standards,
  4. Assessing ignition and explosion risks,
  5. Performing the required tests, examinations and technical assessments,
  6. Preparing and evaluating the technical documentation,
  7. Applying the appropriate ATEX conformity assessment procedure,
  8. Verifying CE and Ex markings,
  9. Preparing the EU Declaration of Conformity.

Key ATEX and IEC/EN Standards

  • EN IEC 60079-0 – Explosive atmospheres – Equipment – General requirements
  • EN IEC 60079-1 – Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures “d”
  • EN IEC 60079-7 – Equipment protection by increased safety “e”
  • EN IEC 60079-11 – Equipment protection by intrinsic safety “i”
  • EN IEC 60079-10-1 – Classification of areas – Explosive gas atmospheres
  • EN IEC 60079-10-2 – Classification of areas – Explosive dust atmospheres
  • EN IEC 60079-14 – Electrical installations design, selection and erection
  • EN IEC 60079-17 – Electrical installations inspection and maintenance
  • EN IEC 60079-31 – Equipment dust ignition protection by enclosure “t”
  • EN ISO 80079-36 / EN ISO 80079-37 – Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres

IEP ATEX Services

IEP Energy Petroleum Institute provides certification, testing, inspection and technical assessment services for equipment and installations within the scope of ATEX.

  • ATEX product certification and conformity assessment,
  • Technical file review for Ex equipment,
  • Product testing and technical evaluation,
  • Hazardous area / Zone classification,
  • Inspection of Ex installations and equipment,
  • Risk assessment and project review,
  • ATEX and Ex equipment training.

ATEX Certification and Technical Assessment

Contact the IEP technical team to determine the ATEX scope of your product or installation, applicable standards, Zone suitability and certification requirements.

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