Fläkt Woods are one of the first fan manufacturers to have a fully ATEX compliant product range

The Widest Range of ATEX compliant fans

A full range of Fläkt Woods' axial and centrifugal fans are fully ATEX compliant.

The company's JM Aerofoil axial fans and its new Centripal EU range of centrifugal fans are fully ATEX compliant.

The explosive atmospheres ATEX 100a directive, which became effective throughout the EU on July 1, 2003, covers all products including non-electrical equipment and equipment meant for use in places exposed to dust where there might be a risk of explosion.

Fläkt Woods fans have had to be modified in a number of ways, including changes to the motors and spark minimisation features, modifying material thickness, the impeller locking systems, conduit systems, adjusting tip clearances, as well as adapting and revising product guides and operation manuals.

The new directive covers a surprisingly large range of equipment, including equipment used in petro-chemical plants, flourmills, grain silos and other areas where a potentially explosive atmosphere may be present.

Potential explosive hazards include gases, vapours, mists and dust. The specific mixture being handled categorizes the features each product must include.

Fläkt Woods has had to ensure that both the axial and centrifugal fan products comply and that the systems are in place to ensure continued compliance during normal production. By CE marking the fans, they are then able to sell the equipment anywhere in Europe without any further requirements being applied. This also enables OEM customers to gain the relevant certification of their products.

In very broad terms, there are three pre-conditions for the Directive to apply:

1. The equipment must have its own potential source of ignition;
2. Be intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere (air mixtures); which is
3. Under normal atmospheric conditions.

Because the European market for such equipment includes refurbishment Fläkt Woods has identified the needs of this specific customer base, and developed its products and services accordingly. This is a very significant development for such a specialised application for the Company.