EX classification
Current legislation in the EU makes it mandatory to document measures to prevent explosions and sources of ignition. This requires in-depth knowledge about the sources of ignition and the potential sources of risk described in the ATEX directive. Risk assessment is a matter of teamwork between the operations manager, process staff and a partner with extensive knowledge and experience of the standards for classification and the methods of reducing risks. It is this specialist expertise that ÅF can offer. We have the skills to investigate on-site conditions and provide advice that will limit the risk of personal injury as well as damage to property and the environment when working with flammable materials or explosive dust.
ÅF provides you with assistance in the following areas:
- Explosion protection documentation, EX classification, gases, vapour, mist and dust.
- Risk assessment of sources of risk and ignition, ATEX 94/9/EG and ATEX 1999/92/EG, procedures, documentation systems and the management of intentional risks and production risks.
- Inspection, expert verifications and periodic inspections, fire alarm systems, fire protection and the inspection of contracted work.
- Training: ATEX, risk sources and ignition sources; handling flammable goods (basic course for site managers); handling flammable goods (laboratory staff); work in environments where there is a risk of explosion (basic course for maintenance staff and operators); electrical installations for electricians in environments where there is a risk of explosion.
- Documentation systems for small and medium-sized plants.
- Calculations.
- Explosion pressures, gas flows, consequence assessments, calculations on the spread of fire, heat and smoke, evacuation calculations, relief hatches and ATEX analyses.
- Project engineering.
- Systematic fire protection work.
When must an "Explosion Protection Document" (EPD) be compiled?Anyone who is legally responsible for activities carried out in connection with handling flammable gases, liquids and dusts under conditions where there is a significant risk of creating an explosive atmosphere must draw up an Explosion Protection Document. This involves dividing the risk areas into explosion zones.
Examples of plant where EPDs are common:
- Pharmaceutical industry and laboratories (gases and solvents)
- Lacquering and printing plants (spray-painting, distillation, cleaning with solvent-based liquids)
- Car maintenance facilities (gases, oil spills mixed with petroleum, screen wash, etc.)
- Loading/unloading and storage in tanks (gases and liquids)
- Manufacturing industries (various gases and solvents, dust with light metal powders/swarf, etc.)
- Waste incineration and combustion plants (methane, natural gas, dusty fuels)
- Food processing and silo storage facilities (dust in the form of sugar, starch, flour, etc.)
- Woodworking, high schools (gas networks, solvents)
What is a flammable gas?
A gas that at a temperature of 21 C or below can form a flammable mixture with air.
What is a flammable liquid?
Class 1 - flashpoint <21oC
Class 2a - flashpoint 21-30oC
Class 2b - flashpoint 31-55oC
Class 3 - flashpoint >55-100oC
ÅF also offers project planning services for fire alarm and evacuation alarm systems, fire safety inspections, fire alarm inspections and other safety systems in general.