[ATEX Directive]

ATEX Directive

Magnetic systems are often placed in a room where dust explosions can occur. This means that the magnet system itself, of course, also may not be a source of ignition. An externally certified quality assurance system (ATEX Production Quality Assurance Notification) is required for manufacturers of ATEX equipment. Goudsmit is one of the few companies in the magnet industry to possess this certification.

Magnetic systems for use in explosive environments

The ATEX Directive (ATEX: ATmospheres EXplosibles) is a European regulation aimed at ensuring a high level of protection for workers and for the environment where explosive atmospheres are present or may be present.

ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU is intended for equipment manufacturers and describes the requirements for designing, manufacturing and marketing equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive environments. The directive provides guidance as well as standards to ensure that equipment cannot be a source of ignition and can be used safely in explosive environments.

Directive 1999/92/EC is intended for users and serves to protect workers from the risks to which they are exposed in explosive conditions in the workplace. The directive requires employers to assess and control potential risks, take appropriate safety measures and adequately instruct workers.

Within ATEX, a distinction is made between gas and dust environments. Many magnetic separation applications take place in dust environments.

Areas with a risk of explosion are subdivided into various zone categories, depending on the frequency of potentially explosive conditions. We divide equipment suitable for use in ATEX zones into three categories: 1, 2 and 3. These correspond to the protection levels: very high, high and normal.

Atex-zones tabel EN | Goudsmit Magnetics

Preventive measures against dust explosions

Magnets and metal detectors can be used to help prevent mechanical sparks and the ensueing dust explosions. Please read the article "Prevention of dust explosions in the food industry", chapter 4. Solids processing / Milling and grinding (article by HSE - Health and Safety Executive of British Government).

There are several measures that must be taken to decrease the chance of dust explosions:

  • prevention of mechanical sparks and static electricity
  • temperature sensing and RPM monitoring on machines
  • enforcement of low dust concentrations
  • prevention of dust clouds and dust layers
  • inertion by powdered additives
  • inertion by gaseous additives
  • use of an automatic sprinkler installation
  • the prevention of smolder and spontaneous ignition

Mechanical sparks can be prevented by using sieves, magnets and metal detectors on the raw materials. This helps monitor the materials and removes unwanted particles.