ATEX- Tools ((Atmospheres Explosibles))

Equipment applied in explosive areas involves a high risk.

Explosive atmospheres can be caused by flammable gases, mists or vapours or by combustible dusts. If there is enough of the substance, mixed with air, then all it needs is a source of ignition to cause an explosion.
Since 1st of July 2003 the new EC directive 94/9/EC (ATEX 95) has become effective. This is achieved by harmonizing the legal safety precautions according to a risk depending methodology.
Our tools are classified according to the ATEX product directive 94/ 9 EG (unofficially known as "ATX 95").

Explosiv atmosphere
is defined - in terms of the directive 94/9/EC - as a mixture of dangerous substances with air, under atmospheric conditions, in the form of gases, vapours, mist or dust in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.

Explosion protection measures

In order to select the appropriate measure, an explosion protection concept has to be developed for each individual case. This has to refer to
a. Work equipment, like machines, systems, tools and devices (ATEX 95 - directive 94/9 EC for operation consumables (manufacturer)) and
b. Work place and work environment (ATEX 137 - directive 1999/92 EC operation of facilities (operator))
and it has to be applied consistently.

ATEX 95 ( directive 94/9 EG for operation consumables (manufacturer))

The ATEX 95 classifies groups, zones and classes.
Depending on the application, a distinction is made between equipment group I (use in mining/ underground mining) and equipment group II (us in other explosive areas)

Equipment group I
-use in explosive areas of underground mines, including their surface devices
Equipment group I
Equipment used in mining/ underground mining
Category M1 Category M2
Requirement very high degree of safety high degree of safety

Equipment group II
- use in other explosive areas
- very high degree of safety
- if a safety measure of an device fails, a second independent safety measure must ensure the required safety
- high degree of safety
- the explosion protection has to work in a way, that the required safety is ensured as well in case of device errors, which usually have to be expected
- a sufficient degree of safety
A tool of category 1 with very high safety requirement includes the lower categories 2 and 3.
Equipment group II
Equipment for use in other explosive areas
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3
Danger always, often or for a longer period of time occasional rare and for short time
Requirement very high degree of safety high degree of safety normal degree of safety
Zone 21
Zone Zone 0 (1, 2) Zone 20 (21, 22) Zone 1 (2) Zone 2 Zone 22
(22)
Substance group G (Gas) D (dust) G (Gas) D (dust) G (Gas) D (dust)

Temperature classification
The approved surface temperatures are divided in 6 temperature classes (T1- T6). Furthermore a classification of combustible gases and vapours (dusts) and their ignition temperatures is possible.
The given temperature is the maximum permissible surface temperature at the tool. Operation consumables approved for the temperature class T6, is automatically approved for the higher temperatures (T1- T5)
Max. Ignition temperatures of some
Temperature class
surface temperature substances for comparison
Propane gas 510 °C, natural gas 650
T1 450 °C
°C
T2 300 °C Acetylene 305 °C, Diesel fuel 310 °C
T3 200 °C Benzine 260-450 °C
T4 135 °C Ether 170 °C
T5 100 °C Hydrocarbon 102 °C
T6 85 °C White phosphorous 60 °C

ATEX 137 ( directive 1999/92 EG operation of facilities (operator))

The ATEX operation directive 1999/ 92/ EG (unofficially known as "ATEX 137) refers to the minimum requirements for the improvement of the health protection and the safety of workers,
which could be endangered by the explosive atmosphere.
In 2002 this directive was transponed into German, respectively Austrian, legislation in the scope of the German Plant Safety Ordinance respectively by the Ordinance Explosive Atmospheres (VEXAT).
This guide line contains basic safety requirements which have to be met by the operator/ employer. This includes:
- Avoidance or reduction of the formation of explosive atmosphere (primary explosion protection)
- Avoidance of effective ignition sources (secondary explosion protection)
- Limitation of the effect of a probable explosion to a harmless level (tertiary or constructive explosion protection)
In the scope of his risk assessment, the employer has to create an explosion protection document and he has to divide areas with dangerous explosive atmosphere into zones.