How to verify whether explosion protection systems are compliant with the ATEX directive?

Dust collectors and other devices intended for air dedusting and air filtration often work in explosive atmospheres. In order to minimize the risk of explosion, the dedusting installations must be equipped with protection systems in accordance with the ATEX directive. How to verify whether the dedusting system installed in your plant is actually compliant with the ATEX directive in terms of explosion safety?

What are ATEX directives?

The ATEX directives set out the minimal requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. These requirements are both for the users and for the manufacturers/suppliers and they are included in two ATEX directives:

• The 2014/34/EU Directive  (previously 94/9/EC)– applies to the manufacturers/ suppliers of equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
• The 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) Directive applies to users and sets out requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

ATEX equipment and protective systems are granted with certificates which confirm their compliance with the ATEX requirements.

ATEX equipment are devices which can work in potentially explosive atmosphere, meaning they do not cause ignition, are intrinsically safe and have adequate protection level for the given explosion risk zone (these devices are marked with Ex).

ATEX explosion protective systems means devices other than components of equipment which are intended to halt incipient explosions immediately and/or to limit the effective range of an explosion and which are separately made available on the market for use as autonomous systems.

In our range of products we offer the following ATEX protective systems:

• Rotary valves
• Isolation flap valves
• Explosion deflectors
• Vent (decompressive) panels
• Flameless venting device

Each of the above mentioned ATEX protective system isolates explosion and minimizes its risk.

How to make sure the protective system is ATEX compliant?

Manufacturers and suppliers of protective systems inform whether their products are compliant with the ATEX directive after they obtain certificates. In order to obtain an ATEX conformity certificate, the product has to be tested by a notified body (conformity assessment body which is an authorized laboratory or an institute) and the testing must be performed in accordance with the specific European standards.