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ATEX/IECEx Certified Cellular AnalysersDeveloping Now

What is ATEX?

ATEX Directive (Atmosphères Explosibles):

  • This is a set of European Union directives for controlling explosive atmospheres. It ensures that equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres are safe.
  • The directive consists of two EU directives:
    • Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX 114): Concerning the equipment and protective systems intended for use in explosive atmospheres.
    • Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137): Concerning the minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

What is IECEx?

IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres) is a global certification system that ensures the safety and reliability of equipment intended for use in hazardous areas where explosive atmospheres might occur.

Purpose:

IECEx provides a standardised framework for testing, certifying, and maintaining equipment used in explosive atmospheres. This includes areas where gases, vapors, dust, or fibres might create potentially explosive environments.

Standards and Regulations:

The certification system is based on IEC standards, specifically those related to explosive atmospheres, such as the IEC 60079 series. These standards cover various aspects of equipment safety, including design, testing, installation, and maintenance.

Global Recognition:

IECEx certification is recognised and accepted worldwide, facilitating international trade and ensuring that equipment meets high safety standards across different countries and regions.

Why do industries need ATEX?

Industries need ATEX certification and compliance to ensure safety and mitigate the risks associated with explosive atmospheres.

Here are several key reasons why ATEX is crucial for industries:

  1. Safety of Personnel:
    • Prevention of Explosions: ATEX regulations help prevent explosions that can occur in hazardous environments. This is crucial in industries where flammable gases, vapors, or dust are present.
    • Protection of Workers: Ensuring that equipment and installations comply with ATEX standards protects workers from potential hazards and reduces the risk of injury or fatalities.
  2. Legal and Regulatory Compliance:
    • Mandatory Compliance: In the European Union, ATEX compliance is a legal requirement for companies operating in potentially explosive atmospheres. Non-compliance can result in legal penalties, fines, and operational shutdowns.
    • Insurance Requirements: Many insurance companies require ATEX certification as a condition for coverage. Non-compliance can lead to higher premiums or denial of coverage.
  3. Operational Continuity:
    • Minimising Downtime: Properly certified equipment is less likely to fail, reducing the risk of downtime due to explosions or other related incidents. This ensures smoother and more reliable operations.

Zone Classification

ATEX classifies hazardous areas into zones based on the frequency and duration of explosive atmospheres:

Gas/Vapour Zones:

  • Zone 0: Continuous presence of explosive atmosphere.
  • Zone 1: Likely occurrence of explosive atmosphere during normal operations.
  • Zone 2: Unlikely occurrence of explosive atmosphere, and if it occurs, it will be infrequent and for a short period.

Dust Zones:

  • Zone 20: Continuous presence of explosive atmosphere.
  • Zone 21: Likely occurrence of explosive atmosphere during normal operations.
  • Zone 22: Unlikely occurrence of explosive atmosphere, and if it occurs, it will be infrequent and for a short period.

Development Concepts

We are currently developing the first ATEX and IECEx certified Cellular Analyser of its kind to aid industries with hazardous areas to analyse surrounding cellular networks include Private (depending on bands used) to enable connectivity to various applications.

To understand what a SNYPER can offer you in any environment click here

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Industries Where ATEX Standards Can Be Found

Oil and Gas Industry:

  • Upstream Operations: Exploration and drilling sites where explosive gases are common.
  • Midstream and Downstream Operations: Refineries, pipelines, and storage facilities where volatile substances are processed or stored.

Chemical and Petrochemical Industries:

  • Manufacturing Plants: Facilities where chemicals are synthesized and processed, involving potentially explosive atmospheres.
  • Storage Facilities: Sites where chemical products are stored, often requiring strict monitoring to prevent accidents.

Pharmaceutical Industry:

  • Manufacturing and Processing: Areas where solvents and other volatile substances are used, posing explosion risks.
  • Laboratories: Research and development environments handling flammable compounds.

Mining Industry:

  • Underground and Surface Mines: Environments where explosive gases (e.g., methane) may accumulate, requiring constant monitoring.

Food and Beverage Industry:

  • Processing Plants: Facilities dealing with bulk powders and dust that can form explosive atmospheres (e.g., flour mills, sugar refineries).
  • Storage and Handling Areas: Locations where grain or other combustible dust is stored and transported.

Paint and Coatings Industry:

  • Manufacturing Facilities: Plants where paints, coatings, and solvents are produced, involving flammable vapors.
  • Spray Painting Operations: Environments with significant amounts of airborne particles and fumes.

Waste Treatment and Recycling:

  • Wastewater Treatment Plants: Sites handling organic materials that can produce flammable gases.
  • Recycling Facilities: Locations processing various waste materials that may involve volatile substances.

Energy Production:

  • Power Plants: Particularly those using coal or biomass, where dust and gases pose explosion hazards.
  • Renewable Energy Facilities: Biogas plants where explosive gases are generated from organic materials.

Agriculture:

  • Grain Handling and Storage: Silos and transportation systems dealing with grain dust, which can be highly explosive.

Military and Aerospace:

  • Ammunition Manufacturing and Storage: Facilities where explosive materials are handled.
  • Fuel Storage: Locations storing rocket fuels or other highly volatile substances.

Engineering and Construction:

  • Construction Sites: Especially those working with flammable materials or in confined spaces where gas can accumulate.
  • Maintenance Operations: On-site maintenance in potentially explosive environments, such as refineries and chemical plants.
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