About the ATEX standard

The ATEX directive focuses on gas and dust explosion hazards and applies to all places where explosion hazards are present. ATEX stands for ATmosphères EXplosives.

Definition ATEX

"A mixture of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapours, mists and dusts, under atmospheric conditions, in which combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture after ignition."

2 parts

The standard contains two parts:

• ATEX 153 (ATEX Arbo) (formerly ATEX 137) deals with the safety and health of workers in explosive environments. Embedded in this standard is the requirement for every company to carry out a risk analysis and classify hazardous areas into zones.
• ATEX 114 (ATEX CE) (formerly ATEX 95) covers all equipment designed specifically for use in explosive atmospheres. This equipment, due to its modifications or pre-existing features, will not be able to cause an explosion in a particular risk zone.

Safe workplace

Since 2003, organisations where there is a risk of explosion in the EU must comply with Directive 1999/92/EC referred to as ATEX 153 (formerly ATEX 137). From 2006, all workplaces must also comply with these regulations.

This means that:

• All safety risks have been mapped
• A zoning classification has been made
• All equipment complies with the regulations of ATEX 114 (formerly ATEX 95)
• The personnel have been trained and made aware of the regulations

Explosion hazard zones