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Installation in hazardous area (EX)

Our inline process instruments can be equiped for the use in hazardous areas zone 1 or zone 2. Different technologies are used to guaranty the safety of the instruments, like flameproof enclosures (EEx D), intrinsically safe electric circuits (EEx i), non sparking circuits in sealed enclosures (EEx n) or pressurized enclosures(EEx p).

The systems are typically certified in accordance to the ATEX requirements. A certification in accordance with UL or CSA regulations are as well available for most instruments. (Instruments for zone 21 and zone 22 on request)

PTB (Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt) homepage
UL Underwriters Laboratories Inc. homepage
CSA Canadian Standards Association homepage

ATEX

The designation ATEX stands for the French abbreviation “Atmosphère explosible” and as synonym for the two guidelines of the EEC to prevent (ATEX product guideline 94/9/EG and ATEX operating guideline 1999/92/EG).

ATEX Product Guideline 94/9/EG

The ATEX product guideline 94/9/EG (due to the relevant article 95 of the EEC contract regarding the free goods traffic also unofficially named “ATEX 95” ) of the European parlament and the council for the adjustment of the legislation of the member states for devices and protective systems for intended use in hazardous area specifies the rules for the introduction of products to the European marked, which are used hazardous areas.

Non electric devices are included as well in this guideline for the first time. For examle turning clutches can lead by inadmissible high heating up, to the danger of ignition.

Purpose of the guideline is the protection of persons, who work within hazardous areas. The guideline contains the fundamental health and safety requirements, which are to be considered by the manufacturer. The improofment has to be done conform to the official procedures published in appendix II of the guideline.

The installation of components and protective systems in hazardous areas have to correspond to the ATEX product guideline 94/9/EG since 30 June 2003. This European guideline is as well national law in Germany (explosion prevention regulation 11. GPSGV).

ATEX operating guideline 1999/92/EG

The ATEX operating guideline 1999/92/EG (unofficially named as “ATEX 137”, because of its relevant article 137 of the EEC contract) describes the minimum regulations for the improvement of health protection and safety of the employees, which can be endangered by working in hazardous areas.

This guideline contains the fundamental safety requirements which the operator/employer has to realize.

Examples:

Avoidance or restriction of the formation of combustible atmosphere (primary explosion prevention)
Avoidance of effective ignition sources (secondary or constructional explosion prevention)
Restriction of the effect caused by a possible explosion to a safe level (tertiary explosion prevention)

The work procedures of the secondary and tertiary explosion prevention are to be used subordinate. The employer has to provide an explosion prevention documents containing the endangerment evaluation. Then he has to split the areas with dangerous combustible atmosphere into different zones. An ex- zone diagram has to be provided to show all individual zones and if necessary their physical dimensions.

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