The special measures and precautions required in hazardous work environments where a potential fire or explosion could occur means various equipment and tools must be specifically designed so they don't contribute to an event that could lead to injury, loss of life and damage to facilities.
Across Europe, companies working in such potentially explosive environments as the oil and gas sector, flour mills, mining operations and many more are legally compelled to use ATEX-rated equipment so that the risks are minimised and staff are kept safe. These machines, devices and tools must be robust enough to work in all kinds of challenging environments, including those with low and high ambient temperatures, and they typically won't need to be dismantled and undergo maintenance as often as other types of equipment.
ATEX stands for appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosives (equipment destined for use in explosive atmospheres, in French) and two pieces of European Union legislation make it mandatory that particular companies use this specialist equipment. The regulations are formed under ATEX 114 Directive 2014/34/EU and ATEX 137 Directive 1999/92/EC that cover equipment used in explosive environments and the health and safety of employees working in such places.
How Are ATEX Products Different?
ATEX-rated equipment and tools differ from more usual products used in manufacturing and other workplace settings in that their design is modified to perform more safely, for longer and often in harsh environments. It could be the extreme heat of an oil or gas installation in the Middle East, where people and products need to be kept cool, but standard industrial air conditioning units might pose a spark or other risk that could lead to an explosion with gases or vapours in the air.
An ATEX-rated air conditioning unit, for example, differs from more common ones in that it will be hermetically sealed so that nothing gets out that could trigger an event like a blast. It will also have essential features like a hot gas bypass so it can be used in low-temperature settings and thermostat contacts that are gold-plated to ensure they're resistant to corrosion. This allows them to operate for long periods without requiring the kind of regular maintenance that's necessary for standard equipment, and when essential maintenance is needed, it’s easier and quicker to do.
A Growing Range of ATEX-rated Products
The amount of products that are now ATEX-rated includes everything from air conditioners to portable lighting systems and torches to mobile phones. The latter are specially designed so they won't create a risk in hazardous places because ordinary mobile phones' electronics create heat that, along with their plastic components, can give off sparks that could ignite a fire or explosion. This is one reason mobile phones should not be used while at petrol stations, although primarily the risk of an explosion there may be due to a buildup of static electricity.
The United Kingdom Petroleum Industry Association says, for instance, that "Mobile phones are not designed and certified for use in explosive atmospheres which exist temporarily around the pump and nozzle during refuelling as well as around the fill and vent pipes during petrol deliveries. While the risk of incendive sparking from mobile phones is low, they are not intrinsically safe devices and should not be used in those hazardous areas that exist on a forecourt."
The many electrical isolators and switches a company uses are also a risk factor in explosive atmospheres, and instead, ATEX-approved isolators and switches must be used. It's the same for many other kinds of tools and equipment in hazardous settings, including infrared thermometers and digital multimeters used to test current.
All of these items for use in explosive areas are packed with additional safety features and protections that will allow work to be carried out safely and without triggering a catastrophic event that could be ruinous to a company and its production — or lead to injury or worse.
