FAQ Page — All of Your Questions Answered

ATEX stipulates hazardous materials often found in a workplace. It is a requirement for companies that handle and transport dangerous materials to protect their employees from the risk of explosion.

ATEX comes from the French description, “Appareils destinés à être utilisés en ATmosphères EXplosives”, which translated into english reads, “Devices intended for use in explosive atmospheres.”

Industries where the high risk of explosive atmospheres exist are oil, gas & petrochemical industries, rescue industries, petrol stations, power plants and chemical production facilities.

All ATEX-certified equipment undergoes a rigorous testing process, which is outlined by European Union directives, to ensure safe use in specific environments with explosive atmospheres.

ATEX certification is a legal requirement to ensure safety in an industrial workplace by determining whether the equipment is safe for use in an environment that is at high risk of an explosive atmosphere.

ATEX certification usually involves an impartial third-party organisation that provides testing as part of the certification process. Companies, however, are responsible for self-certifying minor equipment, such as technical drawings and user manuals. Once certified, the equipment receives a “CE” marking to indicate compliance and an additional “Ex” marking to indicate official certification.

The IECEx System stands for the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres.

IECEx certification certifies international equipment and services for their suitability in global markets, focusing on safety in explosive environments:

• Minimising time to market for products
• Maximising international confidence in product evaluation measures
• Maintaining a central international database
• Enhancing the international reputation of equipment and services.

ATEX certification differs from IECEx certification in just a few ways:

• While IECEx applies internationally, ATEX applies only in the EU, though many companies outside the EU use it voluntarily.
• ATEX does not require strict adherence to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards. It requires adherence to essential health and safety requirements (EHSRs).
• Organisations that offer ATEX services are notified bodies, or ExNBs.

Our lead times vary depending on which product you buy. If we have a product in stock, then please allow for 3-5 days. If this is not in stock at our warehouse, there is a good chance they will be in stock at the factory and can be with you between 10-21 days.

Hazardous areas are classified into “zones”, which are based on an assessment of the frequency of the occurrence and duration of an explosive gas atmosphere, as follows:

Zone 0: An area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods.

Zone 1: An area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation.

Zone 2: An area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation and, if it occurs, will only exist for a short time.

Various sources have tried to place time limits on these zones, but none have been officially adopted. The most common values used are:

Zone 0: Explosive atmosphere for more than 1000h/yr
Zone 1: Explosive atmosphere for more than 10, but less than 1000h/yr
Zone 2: Explosive atmosphere for less than 10h/yr, but still sufficiently likely as to require controls over ignition sources.

A good place to start is by visiting this link: https://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeasareaclas.htm

Our ATEX air conditioning units should be hard-wired into an ATEX-rated isolator by a Certified ATEX electrician. DO NOT USE A PLUG/SOCKET arrangement.

There are a number of different manufacturers available — CEAG, ATX, R. Stahl and Marechal are the most common. Unfortunately, they are not compatible with each other. Your site may already specify, authorise or utilise a particular type. Generally, ATEXOR fittings are supplied without plugs/sockets, but in some cases, you can specify to add CEAG or ATX via www.atexonline.com, or alternatively send us a price request to add at https://atexonline.com/contact/.

NO. All our ATEX hand torch/lamps are to be recharged in a SAFE area only. The recharging stations are NOT ATEX rated.

Where applicable/available, you can follow the links on each product on www.atexonline.com. These will take you to the download section at ATEXOR and provide you with the most current versions.

Yes, you can. We have carefully selected products for www.atexonline.com that are readily available from stock or have a very short lead time. Other products are available but may take longer to get to you.

Please contact us to request a price at https://atexonline.com/contact/.