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ATEX Solutions
IMI Precision Engineering: Your Reliable Partner for Maximum Explosion Protection
In order to apply a single level for health and
safety requirements and to overcome barriers
of trade within Europe, national regulations for
explosion prevention were harmonised in 1975
with the European Frame Directive 76/117/
EEC. The new EC Directive 94/9/EC was
established in 1994. This Directive is widely
known as "ATEX" – which derives from the
original working title "ATmosphère EXplosible".
Since July 1, 2003 only the ATEX Directive
remains binding. This means that all Ex
equipment approvals obtained under previous
directives are no longer valid – only devices
and safety systems that comply with the
ATEX Directive may be allowed onto the
market. ATEX Directive 94/9/EC expands
earlier guidelines by including non-electric
components such as pneumatic actuators.
These now have to be certified.
In addition to Directive 94/9/EC, which is
concerned with the requirements of equipment
and protective systems another directive –
1999/92/EC exists. This is concerned with the
requirements for the erection, installation and
operation of systems.
How can explosions occur?
IExplosive atmospheres (Ex areas) are
prerequisite for an explosion and can be
found where a mixture of air, flammable
gases, vapours or dusts are being produced,
transformed or stored in the presence
of oxygen.
Typical sources of Ignition
> Hot Surfaces
> Flames and Hot Gases
> Mechanically Generated Sparks
> Electrically Generated Sparks
> Electro-statically Generated Sparks
> Adiabatic Compression
> Electro-Magnetic Radiation
> Ionising Radiation
> Chemical Reactions
> Ultra-sound
> Flashes
