FAQ

What does ATEX mean?

ATEX is the common name of two European Union directives. One applies to the operator of the workplace, the other to the manufacturer of the equipment.

ATEX 153 is Directive 1999/92/EC on minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. It sets out what the employer must do: assess the explosion risk, classify the hazardous areas and operate the workplace safely. In Hungary it is transposed by Joint Decree 3/2003 (III. 11.) FMM–ESZCSM of the Minister of Employment and Labour and the Minister of Health, Social and Family Affairs (Hungarian text). The European Commission has published a non-binding guide to good practice for its implementation.

ATEX 114 is Directive 2014/34/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. It sets out what may be placed on the market for use in hazardous areas. In Hungary it is transposed by Decree 35/2016 (IX. 27.) NGM of the Minister for National Economy (Hungarian text). See also the fifth edition of the ATEX 2014/34/EU Guidelines.

The explosion protection document (EPD) is the occupational safety document required by Article 8 of ATEX 153. In Hungary the obligation follows from Joint Decree 3/2003 (III. 11.) FMM–ESZCSM on the minimum requirements for workplaces where explosive atmospheres may occur. In Hungarian it is called robbanásvédelmi dokumentáció.

Under Section 9(2) of the decree, the explosion protection document must contain:

  • the assessment and evaluation of the explosion risks;
  • the list of measures taken to meet the obligations laid down in the decree;
  • the classification of the workplaces into zones, and the list of areas to which the requirements of Sections 3 and 4 apply;
  • the measures relating to the minimum safety and health requirements for work equipment and its use.

The document is the employer’s responsibility. It must be drawn up before work begins, and it must be revised whenever the workplace, the work equipment or the organisation of work is significantly changed, extended or converted.

Hazardous area classification, in Hungarian zónabesorolás, is the identification of the places where an explosive atmosphere may occur. During the assessment we identify the sources of release of flammable gases, vapours and combustible dusts, meaning substances capable of an exothermic reaction with the oxygen in air. We then evaluate the release rates, the ventilation conditions and the other relevant parameters, and on the basis of standardised calculations we classify each place as Zone 0, 1, 2, 20, 21 or 22.

In Hungary the classification is required by law. Section 99(2) of Decree 54/2014 (XII. 5.) BM of the Minister of the Interior on the National Fire Protection Code (OTSZ, Hungarian text) requires hazardous places to be classified into explosion protection zones in order to establish explosion protection.

It always depends on the size and complexity of the technology being assessed and on the quantity of hazardous substances handled. A detailed consultation is needed in every case before we can give an exact price. For a quotation, please contact us.

The zone definitions are set out in Annex 1 of Joint Decree 3/2003 (III. 11.) FMM–ESZCSM, which follows Annex I of Directive 1999/92/EC. A number of standards, in particular the EN IEC 60079-10 series, apply in addition.

  • Zone 0 is 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, for long periods or frequently.
  • Zone 1 is a place in which such an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
  • Zone 2 is a place in which such an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
  • Zone 20 is a place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, for long periods or frequently.
  • Zone 21 is a place in which such an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
  • Zone 22 is a place in which such an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

If the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere forming can be reduced during the operation of the technology, an existing Zone 1 can be reclassified as Zone 2. The technology can then be operated more safely and at a lower cost, because Zone 2 places a lighter requirement on equipment selection and on the protective measures.

Sometimes a simple technical change is enough. In other cases it takes a more complex solution that requires detailed knowledge of the specific technology. We are happy to look at your process and tell you which of the two you are facing.