ATEX – EXPROOF

EQUIPMENT AND PROTECTIVE SYSTEMS INTENDED FOR USE IN POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

The Directive 2014/34/EU relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and also known as “ATEX” derived from the abbreviations of “Explosive” and “Atmosphere”, sets out the product requirements and reactions that products must exhibit under extreme conditions. The Directive 2014/34/EU took effect in Turkey after being published in the Official Gazette on June 30, 2016.

ATEX CE CERTIFICATION applies to the vast number of products, including equipment, component, ATEX Assemblies, and protective systems under 2014/34/EU by ATEX Notified Body.

An Atex Notified Body is recognized with 4 digit identification number by the European Commission to perform ex-proof certification under the 2014/34/EU Directive. SZUTEST in Turkey as an Authorized Notified Body with identification number 2195 by European Commission is recognized to perform CE ATEX certification.

For applying for ATEX certification please follow below link :

Today process Quality and Safety are of paramount importance in all types of businesses. Therefore, there are many technical regulations relating to process Quality and Safety.

Quality management systems, SEVESO, ATEX 137 Directive relating to the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres, and the Directive 2014/34/EU ATEX relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres are all integral components of the aggregate regulations drawn out on process security. It is possible to divide ATEX into two divisions.

The first consists of studies on certification of product safety carried out on 2014/34/EU ATEX and CE and Exproof marking of the product. The second deals with the measures that must be taken to protect the personnel working in explosive atmospheres from possible hazards. As SZUTEST, we provide services in both areas.

The Regulation (2014/34/EU) on Equipment, Components, Assemblies and Protective Systems Used in a Potentially Explosive Environment, also known as ATEX, entered into force in our country after being published in the Official Gazette on 30 June 2016 and started to be implemented.

The Directive 2014/34/EU and Exproof certification relating to Equipment Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres, also covers those control and protective devices and systems used for purposes other than explosive atmospheres, but necessary or contributing to the safe operation of equipment and protective systems against explosion hazards.

PRODUCT CERTIFICATION WITHIN THE SCOPE OF 2014/34/EU ATEX REGULATION

SZUTEST as an ATEX Notified Body, for manufacturers producing equipment, components, assemblies, and protective systems designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (Exproof equipment) deliveries Exproof certification services to fulfill the requirements of the “EN 17065 General Criteria for Product Certification Bodies” standard, to print CE on their products and to place them on the market according to 2014/34/EU Possible Explosive Environment.

As an ATEX notified body within the scope of the Regulation applicable on the Equipment and protective systems, we are authorized to carry out conformity assessment investigation and to issue the ATEX certificate. With an approach to make sure of product and production quality according to the harmonized standards of ATEX Directive and evaluate and certify the conformity of the products for CE and ATEX marking purposes.

Regulation; products are divided into different classes according to the gas(G) and dust (D) environment at the place of use, extend of flammables availability in the environment (ATEX ZONE), the way of usage, and the product characteristics. For example, equipment used in mines and equipment used outside the mine, internal combustion and electric motors, and other equipment are included in different classes. Depending on these classes, product conformity is evaluated and documented, aligned with the Modular system implemented within the scope of the New Approach Framework determined by the Commission is applied to the products.

For complete detail in this field please refer to ATEX marking page.

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ATEX Protection concepts refer to the means of ensuring a piece of equipment being used in a hazardous area does not cause an explosion. There are four basic methods utilized to avoid uncontrolled ignitions – exclusion of the flammable substance, prevention of component sparks or hot surfaces, explosion quenching, and energy limitation. By applying individually or in combination, the protection concepts listed below are applied to a product to achieve this.

For different types of ATEX protection typpes, please refer to the ATEX Protection concepts page.

Within the scope of 2014/34/EU ATEX regulation, we are authorized to issue certificates according to the following modules.

  • Annex-3 Module B: EU TYPE EXAMINATION
  • Annex-4 Module D: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON QUALITY ASSURANCE OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS
  • Annex-5 Module F: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON PRODUCT VERIFICATION
  • Annex-6 Module C1: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON INTERNAL PRODUCTION CONTROL PLUS SUPERVISED PRODUCT TESTING
  • Annex-7 Module E: CONFORMITY TO TYPE BASED ON PRODUCT QUALITY ASSURANCE
  • Annex-8 Module A: INTERNAL PRODUCTION CONTROL
  • Annex-9 Module G: CONFORMITY BASED ON UNIT VERIFICATION

The Conformity Assessment process varies according to different aspects as which module under 2014/34/EU directive, will be carried out, in which hazard area (zone) the equipment will be used, the electrical and non-electrical equipment characteristics of the product, and the Name Plate information of the product.

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As SZUTEST, we are well aware of the importance of Safety and Quality, we provide services to producers through our business partners for the conformity assessment and certification of products for CE and Exproof marking.

After the process is determined, necessary documents such as the declaration of conformity and the Technical File including many parts such as Test Reports according to ATEX harmonized standards should be prepared by the manufacturer. During the conformity assessment procedure, we can carry out the tests to be made on the product, both within our laboratories or in cooperation with our subcontractor  ATEX laboratories, depending on the protection type of the equipment. After finalizing the conformity assessment procedure, the ATEX certificate is issued and the manufacturer can affix the CE mark on the product and present it to the market.

The Other Technical regulation would be

SAFETY INSPECTION ACCORDING TO ATEX 137 REGULATION (ATEX 137 [99/92/AT] – Regulation on the Protection of Workers from the Hazards of Explosive Atmospheres)

The precautions to be taken to protect the employees from the dangers of explosive atmospheres that may occur in the workplace are determined in the ATEX 137 regulation. Businesses, where explosive atmospheres may occur, must meet the requirements of this regulation and ensure the health and safety of employees in the workplace.

According to the ATEX 137 regulation, the safety inspection includes a detailed evaluation of workplaces containing explosive atmospheres within the scope of this regulation. For workplaces inspected according to this regulation, an ATEX 137 conformity report is issued if their full compliance with the regulation is determined. This report states that the work

PREPARATION OF EXPLOSION PROTECTION DOCUMENT ( PKD )

By the ” Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Hazards of Explosive Environments ” published in the Official Gazette dated 30.04.2013 and numbered 28633, workplaces that may form explosive atmospheres are obliged to prepare an ” Explosion Protection Document “.

According to the regulation, explosive area ZONE calculation must be made in all areas where flammable, combustible, and explosive chemicals are present. The works we have done within the scope of the Explosion Protection Document ( PKD ) are as follows;

  • Identifying flammable, explosive, and flammable chemicals by examining all MSDSs (Material Safety Data Sheet) used in the workplace,
  • Making Zone calculations using EN 60079-10-1, EN 60079-10-2, and CEI 31-35 standards according to the determined chemicals,
  • Creating an Explosion Protection Document by drawing Zone maps with software,

In this context, if requested, as it is described Exproof equipment compliance and ATEX certification within the determined Zone is available at our service as Notified Body.

Regulation on the Protection of Employees from the Hazards of Explosive Environments; It is applied in workplaces that are within the scope of the Occupational Health and Safety Law No. 6331 and where there is a possibility of the explosive atmosphere such as natural gas filling stations, gas stations, paint shops, Hazardous gas or dust storage tanks. On the other hand, facilities that contain, produce, operate, use, store and fill all kinds of flammable, combustible, and explosive chemicals are obliged to prepare an Explosion Protection Document.

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