ATEX

Respecting the EN 14986 in the best is the most reliable way to prove the compliance directly against a set of 'Essential Health and Safety Requirements' which are given in the directive.

ATEX Directives are applicable since July 1st 2003. All new installations have to conform to this regulation. All existing installations have to be analyzed and risk should have been assessed using this new code by the end of June 2006. This European directive is applicable on all electrical equipments, and rotating machineries which are installed in an hazardous area. It is responsibility of the end user and his installer to define precisely the zone in which the fan is going to run. Zone can be different inside and outside the fan.

The equipments are split in 2 groups:

1. Group I: apparatus for the mines work, of which some parts of their installations are likely to be endangered by the firedamp and/or by combustible dusts.
2. Group II: apparatus for other places, likely to be endangered by explosives atmospheres

Within each group, you will find categories of materials according to their use.

Group II includes 3 categories:

Category 1
apparatus designed to secure a very high level of protection and intended to an environment in which explosive atmospheres are continuously present, or for a long period of time (zones 0 or 20)

Category 2
apparatus designed to secure a high level of protection and intended to an environment where explosive atmospheres will likely emerge (zones 1 or 21)

Category 3
apparatus designed to secure a standard level of protection, with a low probability of explosive atmosphere and for a short time (zones 2 or 22)

Fläkt Woods is manufacturing ATEX fans for

» zone 1 » zone 21

» zone 2 » zone 22

Laws reminding

Responsibilities of end-users:

• To prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres
• Assessment of explosion risks
• Classification of the workplace into Zones
• Select ATEX products according to Zone
• Prepare an explosion protection document (EPD)
• Identify hazardous areas using warning signs

Responsibilities of manufacturers:

• To design and manufacture equipments according to the essential requirement of security, taking the environment and
• conditions of use into account
• To put a marking on its product as requested by the ATEX directive
• To deliver a CE certificate
• To deliver an operation and maintenance manual as requested by the ATEX directive

In order to supply fully compliant fans, the client/end-user must provide Fläkt Woods with essential details on the environment in which the fan will be required to operate. A risk assessment form is at your disposal in the document field.

Technical reminder

Maximum surface temperature for motor fan.

Gas:

• The maximum surface temperature has to be less than the self-ignition temperature.

Dusts:

• The maximum surface temperature has to be less than both of the following temperatures:
• 2/3 of the self-ignition temperature of dust clouds
• self-ignition temperature of a 5 mm layer– 75°C

In case of mixture of dust and gas, the lower temperature has to be taken into account

Motor choice

Gas zones:

In a gas zone, depending on the type of hazard (likely, unlikely or permanent), the safety of the motor can be enhanced, explosion-proofed or prohibited.

Dusts zones:

The authorized motors correspond to zone 21 or 22. Whether the dusts are conductive or not, the index will be IP 6X or 5X (usually IP 65 or IP 55).