--- title: A Guide to Explosive Atmospheres, ATEX Regulations & Equipment description: Demesne Electrical offer advice on electrical protection for ATEX/explosive areas on factories and plants. Download our ATEX product guide here today. image: https://news.demesne.ie/hubfs/oil1.png --- [![Demesne](https://news.demesne.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/DemesneBeta_May2024/images/demesne-logo.png?width=140&height=541&name=demesne-logo.png "Demesne")](https://www.demesne.ie/) ``` ``` - [![location-icon](https://news.demesne.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/location-icon.png?width=25&height=25&name=location-icon.png) Store locator](https://www.demesne.ie/store-locator) - [Login](https://www.demesne.ie/login) - - [Products](https://www.demesne.ie/products) - [Latest news](https://news.demesne.ie/) - [Our Catalogue](https://www.demesne.ie/our-catalogue) - [Our brands](https://www.demesne.ie/our-brands) - [About Us](https://www.demesne.ie/about-us) - [Contact us](https://www.demesne.ie/contact-us) ![A Guide to Explosive Atmospheres, ATEX Regulations & Equipment](https://news.demesne.ie/hubfs/oil1.png) # A Guide to Explosive Atmospheres, ATEX Regulations & Equipment - Home - [Latest News & Product Updates](https://news.demesne.ie) - A Guide to Explosive Atmospheres, ATEX Regulations & Equipment [Ian Mcloughlin](https://news.demesne.ie/author/ian-mcloughlin) 04/29/2020 [0 Comments](https://news.demesne.ie/electrical-equipment-for-explosive-atmospheres#postComment) 2 Minutes ### ![oil1](https://news.demesne.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/oil1.png?width=582&name=oil1.png) ### Why Is Explosion Protection Needed? An explosion is classed as an exothermic chemical reaction of a mix of inflammable gases, vapours, mists or dusts with air. The result is a rapid release of heat and subsequently a rise in pressure. Explosion protection equipment is needed to help protect workers and property while mining & processing of hazardous raw materials. e.g. potential hazardous gas, vapour & dust. The need for effective ATEX electrical equipment is vital, when you consider some major incidents in recent years, such as an explosion at a Flixborough plant in the UK, where 30 tonnes of cyclohexame leaked resulting in a vapour cloud explosion, killing 28 people. Also, in 2001, a large expolsion occured at a ammonium nitrate & fertilizer factory in Toulouse in France, killing 29 people. Explosion protection equipment can be required in the following areas: - chemical plants - refineries - offshore platforms - food & beverage plants - lumber mills - pharma plants   [Download your ATEX Product Guide here ](https://info.demesne.ie/emerson-atex-equipment-catalogue-lp)   ### Possible Ignition Sources Assuming that a combustible material and oxygen is present, the following can be causes of explosions in the workplace: **Heat** - open flames - hot gasses - sunlight - infrared heat - friction heat **Electrical Spark** - switching contacts - short circuits - over voltage - electrical discharges **Mechanical Spark** - friction - hammering - grinding -   #### European 'Explosive Atmosphere' Legislation ![ex atex](https://news.demesne.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/ex%20atex.png?width=245&name=ex%20atex.png) Here in Europe, we have ATEX & IECEx legislation in place to help protect workers in plants where explosions are a possibility. **Directive ATEX 94/9/EC (ATEX95)** This directive became available for use in March 1996 and mandatory on July 1st 2003 and relates to harmonisation of the laws of EU member states concerning equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. **IECEx Scheme** This scheme is an international conform evaluation process for electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres based on the IEC standards. The IECEx scheme is now well adopted worldwide. The IECEx run an online certification system , that can be viewed here - [www.iecex.com](http://www.iecex.com)   #### Zone Classification for Explosive Environments **![atex zone classification](https://news.demesne.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/ex1.jpg?width=552&name=ex1.jpg)**   **Zone 0 (gas) / 20 (dust)** A place in which an explosive atmosphere (either consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of dust, gas, vapour or mist) is present continiously, or for long periods or frequently. **Zone 1 (gas) / 21 (dust) ** A place in which an explosive atmosphere (either consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist) or (in the form of a cloud of dust in air) is likely to occur in normal operation occassionally. **Zone 2 (gas) / 22 (dust)** A place in which an explosive atmosphere (either consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist) r (in the form of a cloud of dust in air) is not likely to occur in normal operation, but , if it does occur will persist for a short period only.   ##### How to Classify Hazardous Areas ![ex2](https://news.demesne.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/ex2.jpg?width=663&name=ex2.jpg)   #### Electrical Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres - Emerson Product Guide The Emerson ATEX Product Guide gives information on their vast range of ATEX certified products including lighting, enclosures & industrial plugs & sockets, as well as extra information on zone classifications for specific industries. #### **Download Your Copy Here**   [![emerson catx1](https://news.demesne.ie/hs-fs/hubfs/emerson%20catx1.png?width=543&name=emerson%20catx1.png)](https://info.demesne.ie/emerson-atex-equipment-catalogue-lp)   --- #### Tag: #### Share: - [Follow us on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://news.demesne.ie/electrical-equipment-for-explosive-atmospheres) - [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://news.demesne.ie/electrical-equipment-for-explosive-atmospheres&text=A%20Guide%20to%20Explosive%20Atmospheres,%20ATEX%20Regulations%20&%20Equipment) - [Follow us on Linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://news.demesne.ie/electrical-equipment-for-explosive-atmospheres) - [Follow us on Pinterest](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://news.demesne.ie/electrical-equipment-for-explosive-atmospheres&text=A%20Guide%20to%20Explosive%20Atmospheres,%20ATEX%20Regulations%20&%20Equipmentdescription=&media=https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2568919/oil1.png) --- #### [Stainless Steel Isolators for Industry | Free Download Previous Post](https://news.demesne.ie/stainless-steel-isolators-for-industry-katko-ip69k) #### [Digital Energy Meters & Electrical Measurments Next Post](https://news.demesne.ie/digital-energy-meters) ### Leave a Reply Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. 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