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Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres (ATEX) Directive

Background

Explosive atmospheres can be caused by flammable gases, mists or vapors or by combustible dusts. If there is enough of the substance, mixed with air, then all it needs is a source of ignition to cause an explosion. Explosions can cause loss of life and serious injuries as well as significant damage. Preventing releases of dangerous substances, which can create explosive atmospheres, and preventing sources of ignition are two widely used ways of reducing the risk. Using the correct equipment can help greatly in this.

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Explosive atmosphere

  • An explosive atmosphere may be defined as a mixture of dangerous substances with air, under atmospheric conditions, in the form of gases, vapors, mist or dust in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

  • Many workplaces may contain, or have activities that produce, explosive or potentially explosive atmospheres. Examples include places where work activities create or release flammable gases or vapors, such as vehicle paint spraying, or in workplaces handling fine organic dusts such as grain flour or wood.

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ATEX Directives

  • ATEX is the name commonly given to the two European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres:

    • Directive 99/92/EC (also known as 'ATEX 137' or the 'ATEX Workplace Directive') on minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.​

    • Directive 94/9/EC (also known as 'ATEX 95' or 'the ATEX Equipment Directive') on the approximation of the laws of Members States concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

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Equipment and protective systems intended for use in explosive atmospheres

  • The directive applies to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, including equipment used outside potentially explosive atmosphere but required for or contributing to the safe functioning of equipment and protective systems with respect to the risks of explosion.

  • It aims to allow the free trade of "ATEX" equipment and protective systems within the EU by removing the need for separate testing and documentation for each Member State.

  • Manufacturers/suppliers (or importers, if the manufacturers are outside the EU) must ensure that their products meet essential health and safety requirements and undergo appropriate conformity procedures. This usually involves testing and certification by a 'third-party' certification body (known as a Notified Body) but manufacturers/suppliers can 'self-certify' equipment intended to be used in less hazardous explosive atmospheres. Once certified, the equipment is marked by the 'EX' symbol to identify it as such.

  • Certification ensures that the equipment or protective system is fit for its intended purpose and that adequate information is supplied with it to ensure that it can be used safely.

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Reference:

[1] hse.gov.uk

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