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ATEX is the acronym for “ATmosphères EXplosives”. This is a European directive that regulates equipment and protective systems intended for use in environments presenting a risk of explosion due to the presence of gases, vapors, flammable liquids or combustible dusts.

The aim of the ATEX Directive is to prevent explosions and fires in potentially hazardous environments, by regulating the design, manufacture, commissioning and use of equipment intended for use in these areas.

The ATEX directive applies to all industries where flammable materials are present.

What is an ATEX zone?

ATEX zones are areas where explosive atmospheres can form due to the presence of gases, vapors, flammable liquids or combustible dusts. These areas can be found in many types of industrial facilities, such as refineries, chemical plants, waste treatment plants, mines, oil rigs, and pharmaceutical production sites.

What is the ATEX classification?

The ATEX classification is a classification of dangerous areas according to the explosion risks linked to the presence of gases, vapors, flammable liquids or combustible dusts. This classification is used to determine safety requirements for electrical and mechanical equipment used in these areas. Areas are classified based on the probability and duration of the presence of explosive atmospheres. The zones are classified into zones 0, 1, 2 for gaseous atmospheres and zones 20, 21, 22 for combustible dust atmospheres. Equipment used in these areas must comply with the safety requirements of the ATEX directive (94/9/EC) and be certified for safe use in areas at risk of explosion.

What is ATEX risk?

ATEX risk is the risk of explosion in areas where explosive atmospheres can form due to the presence of gases, vapors, flammable liquids or combustible dusts, exposing workers and equipment to high risk. This risk can be present in many types of industrial facilities, such as refineries, chemical plants, waste treatment plants, mines, oil platforms and pharmaceutical production sites.

What are ATEX directives?

The ATEX directives are a series of European directives that regulate the safety of equipment used in potentially explosive environments. ATEX means “ATmosphères EXplosibles” in French. The two main ATEX directives are Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX 114) which concerns the design and placing on the market of equipment, and Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) which concerns the protection of workers in potentially explosive atmospheres.

In short, the ATEX directives aim to prevent explosions in environments where flammable materials may be present, by ensuring that equipment used in these environments is designed, tested and certified to be safe. Companies that manufacture or use such equipment must comply with these guidelines to ensure the safety of workers and facilities.

What is ATEX regulation?

The ATEX (Explosive Atmospheres) regulation is a set of European standards aimed at preventing explosions caused by potentially explosive atmospheres, such as those present in the chemical, petroleum and pharmaceutical industries.

ATEX regulations impose specific obligations on employers, in particular the assessment of the risks linked to explosions, the implementation of prevention and protection measures, the training of personnel, the use of suitable work and protective equipment, the drafting of security documents and the establishment of an organization for the management of emergency situations.

Products placed on the European market must also be adapted to the ATEX directive and bear the CE marking to attest to their compliance with safety standards.

What are ATEX protection modes?

ATEX protection modes are design and manufacturing techniques for electrical and mechanical equipment intended for use in areas at risk of explosion. These protection modes are defined by the international standard IEC 60079 and are used to minimize the risk of explosion in potentially explosive environments.

There are several modes of protection. ATEX protection, each adapted to specific situations:

  • Protection by containment (Ex d)
  • Protection by filling (Ex q)
  • Protection by sealing (Ex e)
  • Protection by increased security (Ex e)
  • Protection by energy limitation (Ex i)
  • Protection by overpressure (Ex p)
  • Protection by cooling (Ex k)

What are the international standards for ATEX zones?

There are several international standards relating to explosive atmospheres. The main ones such as: ATEX (Europe), IECEx (CEI), UKCA (UK), FM / UL (United States and Canada), Inmetro (Brazil), GOST (Russia)…

It is important to note that each country or region may have its own standards for explosive atmospheres and companies must comply with these standards to ensure the safety of workers and equipment

What is ATEX marking?

The ATEX marking is a safety certification that ensures that an equipment or system is designed and tested for safe use in potentially explosive environments.

The ATEX marking indicates that the product complies with European Union safety requirements and can be used safely in potentially explosive areas. Products that bear the ATEX mark have undergone rigorous testing to ensure compliance with safety standards.

What is IP rating?

The IP rating (Protection Rating) is an international standard that classifies the levels of protection provided by protective enclosures for electrical and electronic equipment. The IP protection rating is also known as the IP code or IP protection class. It is generally used to indicate the level of protection of electronic and electrical equipment against the intrusion of solid bodies and liquids such as dust, water and other substances.

The IP code generally consists of two digits. The first number indicates the level of protection against solid bodies and the second number indicates the level of protection against liquids. The higher the number, the higher the level of protection.

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