Zone:1,2,21,22

ATEX 1999/92/EC – For industries that operate with potentially explosive atmospheres;

Regulates the division of installations potentially containing an explosive atmosphere into zones with individual risks.

Directive requires companies to manage the risk and the process safely.

Companies should prevent the formation of explosive atmospheres in the workplace to avoid the ignition of explosive atmospheres.

Also they shoul classify the workplaces into hazardous area Zones depending on the frequency and time that an explosive atmosphere is present in the form of gas, vapour, powder or dust.

For example:

Zone 1 (high risk gas/vapour)

Zone 2 (medium risk gas/vapour)

Zone 21 (high risk powder/dust)

Zone 22 (medium risk powder/dust)

They should select ATEX 2014/34/EU compliant equipment according to the intended Zones
 

ATEX 2014/34/EU (previously 94/9/EC) – For industries that supply equipment into hazardous area;

2014/34/EU Directive is concerned with the classification of equipment in Groups and Categories.

ATEX equipment is built to a level of protection known as a category which matches the risk.

Category 2G for Zone 1

Category 3G for Zone 2

Category 2D for Zone 21

Category 3D for Zone 22

Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere.

Zone 0, A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.

Zone 1, A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air or flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Zone 2, A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Zone 20 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustable dust in air is present continously, or for long periods or frequently.

Zone 21 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Zone 22 A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.