ATEX (100a and 137) Hazardous Dusts

With this directive comes regulation for fans for use with hazardous dusts. Once the hazard analysis is carried out electrical equipment has to be ATEX compliant and registered.

This application largely utilizes centrifugal fans, of which Solyvent has a comprehensive ATEX range.

A lot of dust extraction equipment suppliers currently utilize their own centrifugal fans for this application. ATEX may change this.

• The directive includes all potential dust hazards whereas previously only a few dusts were considered hazardous.
• The non-electrical generic equipment standard and draft fan standard (ie best current practice/state of the art) requires:
  1. Minimum clearances between rotating and stationary parts
  2. Vibration monitoring for 2D (Zone 21)
  3. Standard motor with the maximum allowed carcase temperature stamped on it. (This to be 2/3 the minimum cloud ignition temperature and if dust can collect in layers, up to 5mm, 75K less than the lower layer ignition temperature, or whichever is the lower, for thicker layers special rules apply)
  4. IP rating. (IP55 for 3D areas where the dust is non-conducting, all other areas IP6X).

Note: At time of order the customer has to tell us the maximum allowed carcase temperature (please note that this may change the motor frame so any quotes are budget subject to this information being supplied).

As with hazardous gases we are unable to assist with the customers hazard analysis a competent person must be appointed to carry this out.

The Government site to provide further help for those carrying out hazard analysis can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/fireandexplosion/zoning.pdf

For further information contact:

Fläkt Woods Limited
Axial Way
Colchester
CO4 5ZD
United Kingdom

Tel: + 44 (0) 1206 222 555
Fax: +44 (0) 1206 222 777
Email: industrial@flaktwoods.com