Atex Lifting Equipment & Atex Fall Arrest Equipment

ATEX vs Anti Sparking features - statement for manually operated lifting equipment

Extracts below are from the European Commission Enterprise and Industry ATEX guidelines June 2009 section 5.2: Examples for equipment not covered by Directive 94/9/EC.

• "In general, many simple mechanical products do not fall under the scope of Directive 94/9/EC as they do not have their own source of ignition."
• "Manufacturer will need to consider each item in turn with respect to potential ignition hazard"
• "Other examples that in most cases have no potential ignition source are" "Equipment moved only by human power, a hand operated pump, hand powered lifting equipment, hand operated valves"

Question to user “Do You Need Anti-sparking Features”

It is the customer’s responsibility to specify their requirements for anti-sparking features to prevent ignition in a potentially explosive environment. For manually operated lifting gear to be used in potentially explosive areas / atmospheres such as Zone 1 or 2, LiftingSafety can include any anti-sparking features that our customers specify - this will increase its anti-sparking properties and therefore make the lifting equipment more suitable for use in a potentially explosive environment! (Important – for products sold with anti-sparking features LiftingSafety certificate will not supply an ATEX certificate or state / imply that our cranes designed for use in ATEX, anti sparking of spark proof environments! We can suggest anti-sparking features to be added to the piece of lifting equipment for example, Bronze coated load hook (or solid bronze hook), stainless steel pins with bronze sleeves, Bronze bushes and sheaves, Anti-static wheels or castors, hydraulic Anti-static hoses, stainless steel construction. Rubber or other soft lining to prevent “steel on steel” etc.... We can also add any special requirements requested by the client.

Regulations

Atex regulations as follows: The Atex directive on “use” refers to the DSEAR Regulations 2002 requires employers to protect workers from the risk of explosive atmospheres. An explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions, of dangerous substances in the form of gases, vapours, mist or dust in which after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture. The Atex directive on “Product” refers to Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX 95) Equipment and Protective Systems for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Covers electrical and non-electrical products intended for use in hazardous areas (gas, vapours or dust atmospheres) ATEX 95 implemented in the UK as: The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for USE in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 Statutory Instrument 1996 No. 192.

Relevant EN Standards for potentially explosive areas of work

• EN 60079-17 Inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in hazardous areas (other than mines).
• EN 60079-10 Classification of Hazardous areas (Gas).
• EN 60079-14 Electrical Installations in Hazardous areas (other than mines)
• EN 60079-19 Repair and overhaul for apparatus used in explosive atmosphere (other than mines) 
• EN 61241-3 Classification of areas where combustible dusts are or may be present.
• EN 1127-1 Explosion Prevention and Protection Basic concepts and methodology.

DSEAR (Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmosphere Regulations) applies to all dangerous substances at nearly every business in Great Britain and gives the least requirements for protecting employees from fire and “explosion risks”, “dangerous substances” & “potentially explosive” atmospheres.

The main requirement are given below (summary).

1. A risk assessment of any work place when dangerous substances are involved (potentially explosive)
2. Eliminate or reduce to (as is reasonably practical) by the use of technical and organisational measures all of the Identified risks in potentially explosive areas or work
3. Anti sparking, spark proof Equipment and other equipment should be provided by the employer and procedures documented to deal with accidents and emergencies before commencing work
4. Training shall be provided to all employees to ensure that they are competent in all aspects of work including the use of Atex hoists and other items of Atex lifting equipment, Always follow the manufacturer’s operation user manual on safe use and maintenance.
5. Classify places, areas at the work place where explosive atmospheres may occur (Inc potentially explosive areas) into zones, and mark the zones where necessary.

The Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmosphere Regulations applies whenever there is work being carried out by an employer or self-employed person or a dangerous substance is present or liable to be present at the workplace or if the dangerous substance presents a risk to the safety of persons (as opposed to a risk to health). The warning signs for places where explosive atmospheres may occur (Distinctive features) are a Triangular shape and black letters on yellow background with black edging (the yellow part to take at least 50% of the area of the sign).

ATEX & Intrinsic Safety Information - Explosive Atmospheres

Protection Concepts

Standards For Methods Of Protection

Gas Grouping and Temperature Classification

Certification Code

(CENELEC marking information - example [EEx ia] IIC T4)

Device Group & Category

Characteristics of Substances

Flashpoint

This is the lowest temperature at which a liquid generates sufficient vapour to support ignition. This vapour can be ignited in many ways including temperature or energy (i.e. a spark)

Ignition Temperature

This is the lowest temperature at which the vapour will be ignited.
This defines the temperature class.

Classification of maximum surface temperatures of electrical apparatus (CENELEC)

Apparatus Group (energy ignition)

All surface industry gases/vapours are classed as Group II gases.

Group II is divided into 3 sub groups:

• IIA – High energy is required to ignite. Less intense explosion. (Propane)
• IIB – Less energy is required to ignite. More intense explosion. (Ethylene)
• IIC – Little energy is required to ignite. Most intense explosion. (Hydrogen)

Characteristics of some common flammable materials

Note: There is no connection between ignition energy and ignition temperature

The information offered by LiftingSafety is guidance only. For detailed information see the relevant directives and regulations.