The term ATEX, an acronym for Atmosphères Explosibles, refers to two different European directives with the common objective of regulating environments where there is a risk of explosion, known as ATEX environments or locations.
Working in an ATEX area entails a risk of explosion, and the possibilities to intervene when the risk arises are extremely limited, often with tragic consequences. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to take all necessary preventive measures, such as preventive and/or protective technical actions, choice of appropriate products and operating instructions, in order to prevent the occurrence of explosions.
In an ATEX location, an explosion occurs when, at the same instant, the three conditions occur simultaneously:
Product Directive 2014/34/EU covers products intended for use inside places with explosion hazards. These products must meet certain essential safety requirements (RES) and therefore this directive is addressed to those who manufacture, trade, import and certify products.
The product directive is highlighted on the marking of such products by the yellow hexagonal symbol bordered in black with the word ‘Ex’ in the centre.
Equipment category 2 (Gas Zone 1 Dust Zone 21) comprises equipment designed to operate in accordance with the operating parameters established by the manufacturer and to ensure a high level of protection.
Equipment in this category is intended for environments in which explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours, mists or air/dust mixtures are likely to occur.
The means of protection relating to equipment in this category guarantee the required level of protection even in the presence of recurring faults or malfunctions of the equipment that must normally be taken into account.
Equipment category 3 (Gas Zone 2 Dust Zone 22) comprises equipment designed to operate in accordance with the operating parameters established by the manufacturer and to provide a normal level of protection.
Equipment in this category is intended for environments in which explosive atmospheres caused by gases, vapours, mists or air/dust mixtures are unlikely to occur, and in any case only for a short time.
Equipment in this category provides the required level of protection in normal operation.
Bellin pumps are in Group II (gas) and Group III (dust) according to EN ISO 60079-0, in Group II according to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
Bellin pumps remain safe even in the event of ‘foreseeable malfunctions’, so the expected levels of protection (EPL) are Gb (gas) and Db (dust), as they fall under Category 2G (gas) and 2D (dust), for Zone 1 and Zone 21 respectively.
Our ATEX pumps can be supplied with various safety devices such as:
