ATEX - Hazardous Areas

Flammable gases, mists, vapours, and combustible dust can cause a life-threatening and damaging explosive atmosphere in the workplace.

If an atmosphere contains enough flammable material just a single source of ignition could cause an explosion, possibly leading to injuries, loss of life and property damage. Preventing these materials from gathering in the air and removing ignition sources reduces risks.

The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) requires employers to eliminate or control the risks from explosive atmospheres in the workplace.

You can never be too cautious when it comes to operating in an environment that demands intrinsically safe equipment and protection. With our extensive range of industry-leading suppliers, including Pepperl+Fuchs, SICK, ecom - a P+F Brand, Pizzato & Rechner we can source all the intrinsically safe products you need.

Give our dedicated sales team a call on +44 (0) 1933 411411 or email sales@kempstoncontrols.co.uk to discuss your intrinsically safe requirements.

Shop Our Range of ATEX Rated Products

Popular ATEX Rated Product Categories

Accessories & Fittings

With a comprehensive range of ATEX rated accessories and fittings such as Armoured Cable Glands, Reducers and Adapters. We have your ATEX accessory needs covered.

Control Sensors

We stock an extensive range of ATEX rated Process and Control Sensors, including Inductive and Capacitive Sensors. You can rely on us to find you the ideal ATEX rated sensor.

Encoders

ATEX rated Incremental & Absolute Encoders are essential for position monitoring in intrinsically safe applications. We hold a large range from all the main leading brands.

Isolation Barriers

In stock we have ATEX rated Intrinsically Safe Isolation Barriers including Galvanic Barriers, Zener Barriers and Switching Amplifiers to help protect you and your equipment.

Junction Boxes & Enclosures

Ensure your electrical installation meets DSEAR requirements with our range of Junction Boxes & Enclosures that are ideal for new ATEX installations and retrofitting tasks.

Level & Flow Sensors

Robust ATEX rated Level and Flow Sensors such as Probe Sensors and Vibrating Forks are essential for intrinsically safe level and flow sensing applications.

Lighting & Flashlights

Providing illumination whilst operating in intrinsically safe areas calls for ATEX rated Flashlights and Lighting/Luminaire equipment. See what we have in stock.

Mobile Devices & Communication

Kempston Controls stocks a comprehensive range of ATEX rated Mobile Devices including Smartphones and Tablet Computers. Ideal for safe communication.

Plugs & Sockets

For routing power to industrial equipment in intrinsically safe zones you will need ATEX rated Industrial Power Plugs & Sockets. At Kempston's we have everything you need.

Power Supplies

You need to provide power safely in dangerous atmospheric conditions. We stock a range of ATEX rated Power Supplies and accessories. Perfect for Intrinsically safe areas.

Sounders & Beacons

At Kempston Controls we stock a comprehensive range of Sounders and Beacons & Fire Safety & Call Points products that are ideal for ATEX rated hazardous areas.

Switches, Pushbuttons & Control Stations

Intrinsically safe process and control areas demand ATEX rated Switches, Enclosed Emergency Stop Pushbuttons, Isolators and Control Stations. We have what you need.

An explosive atmosphere is a mixture of dangerous substances in air, under atmospheric conditions and after ignition, combustion continues through the unburned mixture.

Where do you find explosive atmospheres?

Workplaces can contain activities that produce explosive or potentially explosive atmospheres, such as paint spraying or in factories handling fine organic dust such as grain flour or wood.

Three elements are required to cause an explosion: Fuel (gas or dust), Oxygen and an ignition source such as electric sparks or a short-circuit. The risk of an explosion is based on the probability of a fuel and oxygen mixture occurring over time.

Employers must classify areas into zones where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur. These classifications depend on size, location and its persistence. Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere.

Gas ATEX Zone

Zone 0

A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.

Dust ATEX Zone

Zone 20

A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.

Gas ATEX Zone

Zone 1

A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Dust ATEX Zone

Zone 21

A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Gas ATEX Zone

Zone 2

A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Dust ATEX Zone

Zone 22

A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

ATEX Related Directives

ATEX is the name of the 2 European Directives for controlling explosive atmospheres.

Directive 99/92/EC

(ATEX 137 or the ATEX Workplace Directive)

Minimum requirements for improving the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

Directive 2014/34/EU

ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU covers equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres

In the UK the requirements of Directive 99/92/EC was made effective via regulations 7 and 11 of DSEAR.
The DSEAR requirements apply to workplaces where a potentially explosive atmosphere may occur. Some industry sectors are exempted, these are listed in regulation 3 of DSEAR.

Requirements of DSEAR:
DSEAR ensures employers eliminate or control the risks associated with dangerous substances, also, the regulations place the following duties on employers where explosive atmospheres may occur.

Equipment Selection
Classified zones must be protected from ignition sources and devices used meet the requirements of the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996. Equipment used before 2003 will need to be risk assessed.

Identifying the Explosive Atmosphere Areas
Entry points to classified zones must be marked with a specified 'EX' sign.

Anti-Static Clothing
Employers must provide classified area workers with anti-static clothing that won’t ignite an explosive atmosphere.

Confirming the Explosion Safety Measures
Before a zoned workplace becomes operational the employer must ensure that safety measures are verified and assessed as being safe.

For the full DSEAR click here.