Guide to Explosion Protection Legislation

Pyroban supplies machinery that complies with ATEX 94/9/EC

Local (country) legislation governs Health and Safety issues relating to explosion protection. Below is some brief advice concerning European Legislation. Seek legislation advice locally for US and countries outside Europe.

In Europe, EU legislation known as ATEX has been transposed into national laws under many different names.

There are 2 ATEX Directives, one (ATEX 1999/92/EC) relating to the company with potentially explosive atmospheres and the other (ATEX 94/9/EC) to those supplying equipment to them.

Industries with potentially explosive atmospheres - ATEX 1999/92/EC

ATEX 1999/92/EC requires companies to manage the risk and the process safely. This is known as DSEAR in the UK. Companies should:

Equipment such as forklift trucks, diesel engines, access platforms, sweepers, cranes etc can all be converted so that they are ATEX 94/9/EC explosion proof compliant for use in classified hazardous areas under DSEAR or ATEX 1999/92/EC

Responsibilities | Assessing risk, training staff, classifying areas and signage are just some of the responsibilites

Prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres in the workplace OR avoid the ignition of explosive atmospheres.
Conduct a risk assessment including the likelihood of explosive atmospheres and a source of ignition
Classify the workplaces into Zones depending on the frequency and time that an explosive atmosphere is present in the form of gas, vapour, powder or dust. For Example :
| Zone 1 (high risk gas/vapour)
| Zone 2 (medium risk gas/vapour)
| Zone 21 (high risk powder/dust)
| Zone 22 (medium risk powder/dust)
Mark areas with signs at point of entry
Create and maintain an explosion protection document.
Select ATEX 94/9/EC compliant equipment according to the intended Zones. Equipment such as forklift trucks, diesel engines, access platforms, sweepers, cranes etc can all be converted so that they are ATEX 94/9/EC explosion proof compliant for use in classified hazardous areas under DSEAR or ATEX 1999/92/EC.

If you go to our markets page, this should give some idea of the types of industry affected.

Download the Directive on our Technical Downloads page for full details.

Industries that supply equipment into these industries - ATEX 94/9/EC

Category | Equipment such as fork lift trucks or diesel engines placed into zoned areas must meet the respective category under ATEX 94/9/EC

Equipment for operation in hazardous areas must comply with the requirements of ATEX 94/9/EC Directive and be suitably protected.

Equipment is built to a level of protection known as a category which matches the risk. (Category 2G/Zone 1, Category 3G/Zone 2, Category 2D/Zone 21, Category 3D/Zone 22)

Pyroban offers solutions for companies wishing to convert standard equipment so that it is safe for use in hazardous areas.

Download the Directive on our Technical Downloads page.

PLEASE NOTE: Information contained on this page is for general guidance only.