When talking about explosive dusts it is good to remember the reference Directives, that is ATEX 2014/34/EU and 99/92/EC. Each company must take these into consideration in the DVR, the Risk Assessment Document, in which there is a chapter dedicated to explosions.
These are the main references for companies that use explosive powders and to which they must adhere in order to operate in compliance with the law, as well as for the safety of operators.
ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, implemented in Italy through Legislative Decree 85 of May 19, 2016, like all ATEX regulations, has a dual purpose, namely to improve safety conditions in workplaces where explosion-prone areas are present, but also to define the essential safety requirements for equipment and installations to be used in these areas.
This directive focuses in particular on equipment and protective systems to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It therefore refers to equipment, mobile and fixed devices, control components, instruments and prevention systems intended for the production, transport, storage, measurement, control and conversion of energy which, given their triggering nature, could play an active role in the event of an explosion.
In addition, it highlights the obligations of those involved in the production and distribution of products to be installed in ATEX areas
ATEX Directive 99/92/EC
The purpose of ATEX Directive 99/92/EC, also known as ATEX 153, is to provide the minimum requirements aimed at improving the protection of safety and health of workers who may be exposed to the risk of explosive atmospheres.
It classifies hazardous areas according to the frequency and duration of the presence of explosive atmospheres:
- Zona 0: A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
- Zona 1: A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation.
- Zona 2: A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture of air and 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.
- Zona 20: A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
- Zona 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.
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Zona 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.
Depending on the classification of the areas, the following may be used:
- Zone 0 and zone 20 equipment of category 1
- Zone 1 and zone 21 equipment of categories 1 and 2
- Zone 2 and zone 22 equipment of categories 1, 2 and 3
Risk Assessment Document
Inside the Risk Assessment Document (DVR) there is a section dedicated to explosions with relative classification of ATEX zones.
In general, this assessment should include
- Environmental studies, in which the ventilation of machines and rooms, the geometric characteristics of the rooms, temperatures and pressures are examined.
- Study of treated substances, with relative chemical-physical characteristics, methods of use in production processes, temperatures, maximum pressures at which they are found.
- Identification and analysis of emission sources, methods and quantities in which they are emitted.
Depending on all these elements, the relative ATEX classification will then be assigned.
These are the points of reference for the realities subject to the use of explosive dusts, therefore they will have to comply with them in order to operate in compliance with the law, guaranteeing maximum safety for operators.
Would you like to read the complete text of the ATEX Directives 2014/34/EU and 99/92/EC?
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Download the two PDFs of the referenced European directives, see:
