LED lighting

ATEX Regulations

Explosive atmospheres

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 vapours, such as mines, factories, agricultural silos, and oil and gas platforms, water and other chemical processing environments such as vehicle paint spraying, or in workplaces handling fine organic dusts such as grain flour or wood.

ATEX Explained

ATEX is the name commonly given to the framework for controlling explosive atmospheres and the standards of equipment and protective systems used in them. ATEX derives its name from the French title of the 94/9/EC directive - "Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosibles". It is based on the requirements of two European Directives:

• the ATEX 95 equipment directive 94/9/EC, Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres;
• the ATEX 137 workplace directive 99/92/EC, Minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

Hazardous areas

Hazardous areas are classified into zones, these are:

• Zone 0 – a place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently;
• Zone 1 – a place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally;
• Zone 2 – a place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only;
• Zone 20 – a place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously or for long periods or frequently;
• Zone 21 – a place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally;
• Zone 22 – a place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

More information regarding ATEX is available at the HSE website Electricity in potentially explosive locations should you need it.