ATEX Papers

On Line ATEX PapersATEX Papers

Why you may need ATEX Certification  and an introduction to protection concepts
Extracts from ATEX Papers

What is Explosive Atmospheres Certification and why you may need it! Any industry that processes, uses or manufactures materials that may give rise to a flammable atmosphere (gas, mist, liquid, dusts or even small fibres) may have a potentially explosive atmosphere….

ATEX and IEC Non-Electrical Certification; what to do, what to expect in the future….
Extracts from ATEX Papers
Non-electrical certification has always been part of ATEX Certification, however, the fact that even Zone 1 certification could be ‘self certified’ for non-electrical equipment (with the resulting file lodged with a Notified Body) has meant that there has been little control as to the depth and accuracy of the assessment. It is likely however that IECEx will add non-electrical to their schemes scope this year (2013) and that will be the end of non-electrical ‘self certification’ for many manufacturers!
ATEX Quality Modules, your ‘licence’ to manufacture ATEX Products.
Extracts from ATEX Papers
The ATEX Directive is a mandatory European Directive for manufacturers of equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres. In addition to ‘product certification’ through a Notified Body (for Category 1 & 2 electrical and 1 non-electrical), a manufacturer must also have a certified ‘Quality System’. This certification is known as a ‘Quality Module’ and again must be issued by an ATEX Notified Body. The Quality Module permits the manufacture of equipment that holds a type examination certificate where the concept of the certification (for example Flameproof, Ex d) is covered by the quality assessment and certificate.
ATEX and IEC Mandatory Training Requirements
Extracts from ATEX Papers
There have been many significant changes in the last 18 months that are relevant to manufacturers of skids and assemblies. This includes a new Installation Standard, new  or revised protection concepts, new equipment selection methodologies and new equipment groupings to name but a few. One of the ‘new’ requirements is specified and mandatory training and competence verification for people involved in the design of ATEX and IEC equipment for hazardous areas.
Competence in the field of IEC and ATEX Design is a requirement for those involved in such projects, however, it is also ‘good business’, Knowledge of the requirements will lead to equipment being built faster, for less cost and to specification.
An Introduction to SIL  
Extracts from ATEX Papers
If any reasonably foreseeable action or inaction leads to hazards with an intolerable risk arising from the equipment or plant, then safety functions are necessary to achieve or maintain a safe mode of operation. These safety functions are carried out by one or more safety-related systems. Initially, significant consideration should be given to the elimination of the hazards. This could be, for example, by the application of inherent safety principles or the application of good engineering practice. It is likely however that in many cases this will not be possible (or cost will be prohibitive) and some residual risk will remain.
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