EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

An explosive atmosphere is a mix of air, under atmospheric conditions, and flammable gas, vapour, fog or dust substances.

ATEX CERTIFICATION

Neuberg set itself the challenge of reducing the costs sustained to comply with the ATEX standard given the identification of “ATEX zones”

JKE RANEG FILTERS

The JKE range fabric sleeve dust removal filters are designed in compliance with the ATEX EU standards 99/92/EC and 2014/34/UE.

What is ATEX?

ATEX is the conventional name that combines two EU Directives:

  • The 2014/34/EU directive regulating equipment intended for use in areas with explosion risks; the Directive addresses the manufacturers of equipment intended for use in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres with mandatory certification of these products; Directive 94/9/EC was repealed by the same as of 20 April 2016;
  • The 99/92/EC directive regulating the health and safety of workers in explosive atmospheres; it applies to all environments with explosion risks, where certified plant systems and equipment are installed and therefore addresses the relative users. The name is the abbreviation of ATmosphères ed EXplosibles.

The name is the abbreviation of ATmosphères ed EXplosibles.

A potentially explosive atmosphere exists when there is a mixture of gas, vapours, fogs or dusts in the air combined in a manner which can explode in certain operating conditions.
Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) cover a wide range of products, including those used on fixed platforms offshore, petrochemical plants, mines and windmills, to name just a few.

 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

ATEX Directives – 99/92/EC and 2014/34/UE (94/9/EC)

The ATEX Directives (*) establish the essential health and safety requirements and assign harmonised European standards the task of providing the technical expressions to the relevant requirements contained therein.

Both Directives apply to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres within the EU territory of the EEA (European Economic Area).
Lack of the two requirements (potentially explosive atmospheres and the installation site within the territory of the EU) render the same inapplicable.

Employers (Atex 99/92/EC) and the manufacturers of equipment to be in these areas (ATEX 94/9/EC) are obliged to comply with these Directives in all potentially explosive atmospheres.

The ATEX directive is mandatory for al equipment and protective systems on the market or in service after 30 June 2003.
(*) Directive updates

The consolidated text of Atex Directive 94/9/UE

The new ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU on equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres is in line with the “new legislative framework” and shall enter into force on 20 April 2016.

A guide document on the transition from ATEX Directive 94/9/EC to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU is now available on the official website, with a list of the most frequently asked questions and answers.

Adaptation to the Atex Directive

Neuberg set itself the challenge of reducing the costs sustained to comply with the ATEX standard given the identification of “ATEX zones”, supplying:

  • Centralised dust removal plant systems (treatment of dust emissions)
  • Suction of fumes (gas emissions, solvent emissions)

in full compliance with ATEX Directives – 2014/34/EU (94/9/EC) and 99/92/EC.

Sector Enterprises and Authorities work alongside Neuberg in the performance of:

  • Dust explosive analyses
  • ATEX analyses of installations

and also guarantees compliance of its equipment with applicable directives.

The ATEX directive is mandatory for al equipment and protective systems on the market or in service after 30 June 2003.

Protective elements applied to JKE filters

According to EU Directive 2014/34/EU (94/9/EC) the occurrence of explosive events is subordinate to the co-existence of essential conditions.
The reduction of risks is only feasible when all the essential conditions that can trigger an explosive event caused by dust are under control and their occurrence has been prevented.

The JKE range filters are designed in compliance with the aforementioned requirements:

  • Choice of materials
  • Structural calculations
  • Use of venting panels or other prevention or suppression systems

The choice of materials and the structural calculation were carried out by realising models with finite elements of the structure by a Technical Firm specialising in these types of calculations (ref. Italian legislation CNR UNI10011/88).

The venting panels or bleeder systems prevent the formation of an excessive overpressure inside the filters. Correct sizing of the panel (shape, structure) in relation to the design of each individual filter is key to ensuring efficient venting action.