ATEX directives

Every pressure vessel installed in the European Union, and the SRV(s) protecting it, must comply with the PED. In fact, in Europe they must comply with any and all European Directives that may apply, for example, the ATEX Directive, which we will discuss in more detail in Chapter 4 on the codes. ... 

The two ATEX directives and their national implementation are the main regulations, but not the only ones. Since hydrogen is flammable, it also falls within the rules for handling and transport of dangerous substances and goods. Furthermore, provisions for pressure vessels and pressure equipment are applicable, since hydrogen systems usually operate under an overpressure of more than 50 kPa (0.05 MPa). 

ATEX Directive 94/9/CE since an ex-plosive atmosphere is present,... 

The field of application of ATEX directive 94/9/CE is limited to mixing air, under atmospheric conditions, with flammable substances in the form of gas, vapours or dust, in which combustion propagates to the whole of the mixture after igitition. To be explosive, the mixture must lie between the Lower and Upper Flammable Limits (LFL and UFL). 

Daisy Bell is therefore not subject to ATEX directive 94/9/CE although the major risk is the explosion of a mixture of gas. 

However, so that the safety requirements for Daisy Bell electrical equipment are at a similar level to industrial facilities running the same risk, we applied the zone classification rules, leading to the requirements on the equipment being defined as zone 2. These requirements are specified in the harmonized standards of ATEX directive 94/9/CE. 

Thus the specific feature of this certification Ues in the application of ATEX standards to ensure overall safety of the system whereas generally speaking these harmonized standards are used to prove conformity with ATEX directive 94/9/CE. There are therefore no differences concerning the ATEX evaluation hut at regulatory level, EC conformity will certify that Daisy Bell meets the essential safety requirements of the Machinery directive. 

The Certification of the Daisy Bell avalanche release system is interesting from a technical and regnlatory point of view as this eqnipment is at the limit of applicability of ATEX and Machinery directives. Althongh presenting a risk of explosion, it is not subject to ATEX directive 94/9/CE since its normal function is to explode an explosihle atmosphere. In the same way it is a very special machine. 

NF EN ISO 13849 and on the rules governing electrical and mechanical equipment operating in zone 2 as regards the ATEX directive. 

As shown in Fig. X/3.2-1, there is another way of classifying hazardous area in terms of zones and gas group. However, prior to this it is necessary to have some knowledge of ATEX directives, which is discussed in the following clause. Later, the zone type of classification is addressed. 

Product certification methods In line with ATEX Directive 95, Fig. X/3.2.2-1 briefly describes the acceptability criteria for products. In all categories, the manufacturer... 

Internal Control of Production Manufacturers shall prepare technical documentations that allow the conformity of a product to be assessed. In some cases a copy of these documentations shall be presented to a notified body for review. Here it is important to note that there are two categories of CE certifications, namely, CE marking with or without identification number, as shown in Fig. X/3.2.2-1. Surface temperature details are available in Table X/3.2.1-4. There is another ATEX directive (99/92/EC), which is known as the ATEX workplace directive or ATEX 137. This is meant for the duty of employees to minimize the risk from explosive atmospheres. See also Clause 3.2.3. 

Documentation during classification procedure The general documentations during area classification shall include but not be limited to the following. These are mainly based on ATEX directives but are generally applicable to others Identification of person responsible Stmctural and geographical details about plant site Description of process and operational details Material data... 

As discussed earlier, the European Union has adopted two harmonized directives on health and safety, known as ATEX 94/9/EC (also ATEX 95) and ATEX 99/92/EC (also ATEX 137). ATEX Directive 94/9/EC focuses on the essential safety requirements (SRSs) for products and protective systems for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and the respective conformity assessment procedures. ATEX Directive... 

ATEX Directive 94/9/EC, Technology International Group http //www.techintl.com/atex. cfm. 

The following cases are exempted from ATEX directive ... 

Polyester and glass fibre reinforced polyester bodies are a popular choice for industrial plugs and sockets especially those destined to be used in hazardous environments where ATEX (from the French ATmospheres EXplosible ) directives apply. The relevant Directive 100a ATEX Directive (94/9/EC) was issued by the European Commission in 1994 and became law on July 1st 2003. 

In 1994 European parliament issued the ATEX directive (145) on the approximation of the laws of the member states, concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The scope, these regulations specifically require protective systems, intended to halt incipient explosions immediately... 

ATEX Directive 94/9/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, March 23,... 

Two important EU directives, referred to as the ATEX directives (ATEX 100a and ATEX 137), have been introduced concerning equipment and installations in potentially explosive atmospheres. One is an equipment directive covering tiie design and manufacture of equipment for use in hazardous areas the otiier is a users directive dealing with the use and operation of equipment in hazardous areas. These direchves apply to non-electrical as well as to electrical equipment. All equipment and components intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (gases, vapours, mists or dusts) need to comply with the requirements of these directives. Certification will be xmdertaken throughout the EU to common rules and procedures. 

The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 were made by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, coming into force on 1 March 1996. They implement the provisions of Directive 94/9/EC, the so-called ATEX Directive, and they will be referred to here as the ATEX Regulations. 

As a further complication, the ATEX Directive, enacted in the UK as The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 (see Chapter 7) introduced the concept of equipment categories, which will have to be adopted at the end of the transition phase in 2003. In very broad terms these categories are ... 

Similar requirements are in Germany (Storfall VwV), the United States, and the other European Union countries. The EU ATEX Directives 94/9/EC is fully applicable to dryers [7]. An excellent guide to safety in drying operations has been prepared and published in a revised version by the Institution of Chemical Engineers of Great Britain [8],... 

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