[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Explosion-Proof-Long-Image.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” custom_padding=”|33px|0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-24px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||11px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”100%” custom_margin=”12px|||||” custom_padding=”|1px||1px||true” text_orientation_tablet=”justified” text_orientation_phone=”left” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
It\u00a0 is easy to get lost in the detail when you specify explosion-proof equipment. Do you find yourself pondering over ATEX and IECEx and what certification you need for each?\u00a0Before explaining the differences, it\u2019s worth recognising that all the standards and legislation have the same goal, preventing an explosion and broadly speaking they all use the same principles. The details come in how they classify a given environment and the certification<\/a> of the equipment.<\/p>\n Okay here\u2019s some detail, are you are ready?<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”31px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Pharmaceutical.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”242px” custom_margin=”37px||26px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-47px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”3px|2px|0px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px|||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_text_align_tablet=”” header_text_align_phone=”left” header_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”justified” text_orientation_phone=”left” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n IECEx is a globally accepted standard, while ATEX only applies to countries in the EU. There is another difference, however, ATEX is a legal requirement and manufacturers are accountable for the entire certification process, whereas IECEx is standard driven and you can only get an IECEx certificate from an external certification party.<\/p>\n As an aside, at Air Control Industries we believe that our equipment should always be independently certified for both ATEX and IECEx, after all you need equipment that you can trust in these environments \u2013 but that\u2019s the subject of another debate.<\/p>\n The big advantage of IECEx is that it allows products and equipment to be traded across countries without having to be retested and recertified \u2013 it acts as a common set of safety standards among those countries. End users can also inspect vendor certificates on the IECEx website to confirm their validity.<\/p>\n In addition, ATEX certification can be based on an IECEx test report, but ATEX documentation will not necessarily support an IECEx certificate \u2013 remember that bit about self-certification? Now let\u2019s explore how the IECEx and ATEX classify explosive atmospheres because it will help you define your risk analysis for equipment and what information to provide suppliers, such as ourselves, with.<\/p>\n First there are three groups to think about, group 1 covers mines, 2 covers gases and 3 covers dust. ATEX does the same thing but classifies the groups as Mines and Surface \u2013 with gas and dust both being part of the Surface category.\u00a0Okay let\u2019s move swiftly on. Where gas or dust is the hazard, the next question that needs answering is how frequently is it present? In zone 0 it is present continuously, in zone 1 it is there occasionally and zone 2 means it is only present in abnormal conditions.<\/p>\n This is a critical question because it will define what equipment protection you need. Some equipment cannot be used in zone 0 at all, motors for example.<\/p>\n You will also need to identify which gas or dust is present. This will allow the supplier to define the gas or dust group and temperature class, which in turn defines the thermal energy allowed in an area or produced by specific equipment to avoid ignition. When you move across the pond to North America, you will find that they do not operate the IECEx or ATEX schemes. While they have adopted similar classification systems, the standards are not interchangeable.<\/p>\n For North America, the classification system is based on the National Electrical Code. Here they classify the hazard by class, division and group. On the face of it, that seems quite simple, but sadly there is always a but.<\/p>\n While two materials may be in the same group due to having similar explosive potential, they can have very different ignition temperatures. This means that all explosion-proof or HAZLOC approved equipment for class 1 must also carry a separate temperature rating stating the maximum surface operating temperature of the device. If this equipment rating is 85C and the gas present has an ignition temperature of below 85C, then you cannot use it in that environment.<\/p>\n Stay with me here because you also need to think about the approval procedure in North America.<\/p>\n Approval and verification of equipment for use in explosive atmospheres in North America are done by federally, and state recognised independent testing laboratories. Remember that I mentioned that North America does not operate the IECEx scheme? That means that as the supplier of equipment into the USA or Canada, you will need to get separate certification from one of these laboratories for any equipment used in an explosive environment. Whatever region in the world you are specifying explosion-proof equipment<\/a> for you will need to complete a thorough risk assessment and understand what the hazard is and how prevalent is it going to be where the equipment is.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, while the design of the equipment may be largely the same, for different countries the classification and certification methods can be different, and you need to be aware of these local differences to ensure that you are compliant. Let\u2019s hope that we move towards a more harmonised global system in the future \u2013 it will certainly make life easier for equipment manufacturers.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_cta title=”Request a Consultation” button_url=”https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/us\/form\/atex-fan-enquiry\/” button_text=”Get Started” _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font_size=”25px” header_line_height=”1.2em” body_font_size=”18px” background_color=”#1c6992″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”20px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_icon=”5||divi||400″ button_icon_color=”#ffffff” button_on_hover=”off” button_alignment=”center” button_custom_padding=”|60px|||false|false” width=”100%” module_alignment=”right” min_height=”193px” custom_margin=”-3px|||58px||” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”17px|25px|25px|25px|false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/us\/form\/atex-fan-enquiry\/” border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#afafaf” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Contact us today to discuss your explosion-proof fan application with one of our specialist application engineers.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is easy to get lost in the detail when you specify explosion-proof equipment. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":57266,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" [et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" admin_label=\"section\" _builder_version=\"3.22\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.7\" custom_padding=\"0px|||||\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.7\"][et_pb_image src=\"https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Explosion-Proof-Long-Image.jpg\" align=\"center\" _builder_version=\"4.0.7\" width=\"100%\" custom_padding=\"|33px|0px|||\"][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=\"row\" _builder_version=\"4.0.7\" background_size=\"initial\" background_position=\"top_left\" background_repeat=\"repeat\" custom_margin_tablet=\"\" custom_margin_phone=\"-24px||||false|false\" custom_margin_last_edited=\"on|phone\" custom_padding=\"||11px|||\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"3.25\" custom_padding=\"|||\" custom_padding__hover=\"|||\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.7\" width=\"100%\" custom_margin=\"12px|||||\" custom_padding=\"|1px||1px||true\" text_orientation_tablet=\"justified\" text_orientation_phone=\"left\" text_orientation_last_edited=\"on|phone\"]<\/p>Independent testing or self-certification?<\/h4>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-21px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|1px||||” text_orientation_tablet=”justified” text_orientation_phone=”left” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nIDENTIFYING THE HAZARD<\/h4>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Materials-Handling.jpg” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”288px” custom_margin=”0px||11px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”10px||11px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”40px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin=”36px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-20px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-39px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ text_orientation_tablet=”justified” text_orientation_phone=”left” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nEXPLOSION PROOF IN NORTH AMERICA<\/h4>\n
\nClass 1 refers to gas and class 2 to dust. Division 1 means the hazard is always present, and division 2 means it is less likely to be present. Finally, the \u201cGroup\u201d specifies what type of gas or dust is present.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”9px|||||” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.aircontrolindustries.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ATEX-Fan-Selection-2.jpg” src_last_edited=”off|phone” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”91%” custom_margin=”|-169px||||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding=”|||47px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”239px” custom_margin=”5px||0px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-42px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”15px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”13px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n