Equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
Here is the current state of things...
In its directive 89/391/EEC, the European Union established requirements for workplace safety, and subsequently detailed the requirements for explosive atmospheres in Directive 1999/92.
The requirements for equipment used in explosive atmospheres were established in Directive 94/9/EC (also known as ATEX 100a or ATEX 95). This directive was implemented in German law with the 11th Regulation on Equipment Protection.
As of July 1, 2003, only equipment that complies with this ATEX Directive 94/9/EC may be sold for use in explosive environments.
Our VDL and VDL EX-Zone 2 series vacuum drying ovens and the corresponding EX-protected vacuum pumps in the low-noise vacuum module are in compliance with this directive and are labeled accordingly.
Requirements for operators and manufacturers of EX equipment
- Prevent the formation of dangerous explosive atmospheres
- Prevent ignition
- Limit the results of an explosion to a safe level
The operator of an EX system must evaluate the explosion risks pursuant to Directive 1999/92/EC. BINDER has met this requirement through a special safety design with appropriate classification and explicit markings as per ATEX. For Category 3 equipment, the manufacturer's CE declaration of conformance is sufficient. In addition, the testing agency TÜV verifies the effectiveness of this safety design with an appropriate certification and issuance of the TÜV testing certificate.
This basis makes your evaluation as an EX system operator much easier.
Note: An EX zone is not necessarily always the location where the equipment is installed. Interior areas may also be classified as an EX zone, as in the case of the BINDER vacuum drying oven.
e.g. VDL equipment interior:
II 3 G (safe in normal operation)
| = |
„Ex” in the octagon stands for "explosion protection" |
| || = | Equipment group I, applies for underground equipment in mines as well as in their above-ground facilities Equipment Group II applies for equipment for use in the remaining areas |
| 3 = | Category (normal safety = sufficient for Zone 2) |
| G = | Ex-atmosphere certification for gases (D = dust) |
The operator of the facility is responsible for EX zone classification and for establishing the requirements for equipment (EX equipment category, ignition class, temperature class, etc.). The equipment used must meet these requirements.
Note: EX equipment may be operated only by appropriately trained personnel. In addition, an operation log must be maintained for safety reasons!
