An ATEX certificate is an acronym stands for Atmospheres Explosives. It is a worldwide certification of explosion resistance. Explosive atmosphere is created where a flammable medium arise in temperature or when an electrical spark produces an explosion. It is first introduced to the UK and suits the British standards. It covers all the equipments that belong either to mines where these equipments has built-in means of protection a long with the back-up to cover at least two disturbances, or the equipments in potentially explosive gas, very high heat, vapor and dust mixture where these equipments have means of protection to deal with the frequent disturbances .Though this certificate is a big challenge and is a source of difficulties for the manufacturers, yet it creates more opportunities in manufacturing equipments in potentially explosive atmosphere-which means an explosive area in its normal sate with the possibility for an explosion to happen. In other words, it is the responsibility of the company to handle the continual improvement effectiveness of the Quality Management System.
According to ATEX Directive, the manufacturers must gain certification either of electrical products or mechanical products or both of them to be used in potentially explosive atmosphere where there would be flammable gasses, mists, vapors or dust.
While the products do not have the appropriate certification are considered to be illegal. Accordingly, they will not be placed on the European market. This directive applies to equipment in potentially explosive areas as following: ground, on the surface and on offshore fixed facilities. The new Directive does not affect equipment which is already installed and in use. While this ATEX directive suits the old The Old explosive Atmospheres and Gassy mines Directive there is a new directive that replaces it and states that there are three new types will be under control which are:
1-non-electrical equipment (e.g. mechanical equipment)
2-equipment for use in dust atmospheres (e.g. equipment for flour or saw mills)
3-Safety related devices (e.g. vent systems, flame arrestors, suppression systems) and safe area equipment.
4-
These companies must be tested by ATEX directive manufacturers due to the production or release of explosive atmosphere in order to deter or minimize the risk of any hazard or explosion.
However, you can gain the approval of ATEX directive on your products in two ways. The first one is done by testing and evaluating where the equipments must have the compliance with the Essential Health and Safety Requirements. And the other way is done by the quality systems in manufactures where it involves a Quality Assurance type procedure that is by the responsible manufacturer is being reviewed by Notified Body and is relevant to Annex.
What are ATEX standards?
1-The name of the product must be the name of the manufacturer.
2-Product type code
3-Adders type code
4-Year of manufacturer
5-Marking in accordance with directive 94/9/EC II 3 GD group II location, category 3 equipment, for gas and dust hazards
6- Marking in accordance with European standards EEx nR II T built and tested to European standards, type of protection, explosion group, temperature class
7- CE marking together with notified body registration number
8-Notified testing body and reference number
9-Serial number
10-Technical data
11- Ingress protection.
About the Author:
2Mcctv Inc.
is a Security Group, which provides the unique expertise to bring the perfect solutions to your commercial, educational, and governmental security necessities.
2985 S. State Hwy. 360
Suite 130 Grand Prairie Tx. 75052
Tel: +1 646 871 3013
Fax: + 1 972 999 4113
Jordan Branch
Tel: +962 6 556 1768
Basmah Alshalhoub
Technical Writer
Marketing Dep.
