What is an explosive environment?
What is an explosive environment?
A potentially explosive environment in an industrial facility can exist as a result of flammable gases, mists, vapors or combustible dusts. Explosions are commonly caused by the trifecta of three separate elements -‐ a flammable source, air/oxygen and an ignition source.
What is potentially explosive atmosphere?
A potentially explosive atmosphere exists when a mixture of air gases, vapours, mists, or dusts combine in a way that can ignite under certain operating conditions.
What is flammable atmosphere?
In order for an atmosphere to become flammable, it must have the proper mixture of fuel and oxygen. If the concentration of a specific gas is below the lower explosive limit (LEL) it is too lean to burn. If the concentration is above the upper explosive limit (UEL) it is too rich to burn.
What is the difference between ATEX and Dsear?
DSEAR is for the assessment of a dangerous substance (gas, liquid, dust etc.) and ATEX provides guidance on the type of equipment you should use in each area once you have classified them as the result of an assessment.
Is ATEX mandatory?
ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU is mandatory for manufacturers as of 20 April 2016 as stated in article 44 of the Directive. It refers to the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
How do you become ATEX certified?
There are three steps to being able to gain ATEX certification from an ATEX Notified Body:
- Preparation of a risk analysis, technical documentation, definition of intended use, technical calculations, drawings, product description.
- Compliance with one or several type of protections or product standards.
What causes an explosive atmosphere?
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.
Is the atmosphere flammable?
Since air itself is not flammable, it is not a fuel and will not combust, spontaneously or otherwise. Also, many things will be hot or will smolder when deprived of air (and thus oxygen), and will suddenly burst into flame when exposed to the oxygen that’s in our air.
What does ATEX certified mean?
ATEX certification is given to equipment that has gone through rigorous testing outlined by European Union directives. Products that are ATEX compliant have been and proved safe to use in specific environments with explosive atmospheres, according to the zone/s they are certified to be used in.
What does ATEX stand for?
explosive atmospheres
What Does ATEX Stand For? ATEX comes from the description of the hazardous materials in question, as written in French — “Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosives.” The translation into English reads, “Devices intended for use in explosive atmospheres.”
What is ATEX stand for?
Which is an example of an explosive atmosphere?
An explosive atmosphere is a mixture of a dangerous substance or substances (gas, mist, dust or vapour) mixed with air (oxygen), which has the potential to catch fire or explode. There are obvious workplaces where you would expect explosive atmospheres to be found (and controlled) such as: coal mines, oil rigs, gas rigs, and refineries.
What should you do if you are in an explosive atmosphere?
Carry out an effective risk assessment and use a lamp that will provide sufficient light to assist in making the working environment safe but will reduce the risk of it becoming and ignition source to an acceptable (low) level. Once you have decided on the correct lamp for your circumstances ensure it is used, maintained and tested as required.
What are the dangerous substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations?
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) place duties on employers to eliminate or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace. A summary of those requirements can be found below. This page does not deal with intentional explosives such as those used in demolition work or blasting in quarries.
What does it mean to have a dangerous atmosphere?
“Dangerous atmosphere” means an atmosphere that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impairment of ability to self-rescue (i.e., escape unaided from a confined or enclosed space), injury, or acute illness.