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DSEAR and ATEX Regulations

ATEX Advisory Service provides specialist advice for companies who use hazardous atmospheres equipment and for companies who supply equipment for use in hazardous atmospheres. Both are subject to European Directives which have applied from July 2003

Are you Affected by the new ATEX Directives?

If you employ persons in a potentially explosive atmosphere, you will be subject to ATEX 137 Directive, known as the User Directive.

If you are a supplier or manufacturer of equipment intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres or if you import such equipment into the European Community you will be subject to the ATEX 100A Directive. Hazardous atmospheres include those resulting from a mixture of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapours, mists or dusts; with air under atmospheric conditions in which after ignition the combustion spreads to the entire unburnt mixture.

A potentially explosive atmosphere is an atmosphere which could become explosive due to local or operational conditions. It is only this kind of potentially explosive atmosphere which products falling under the Directive are designed for.

Industries likely to be affected include mining, petrochem, offshore and food industry, particularly those involving the use or manufacture of flour, sugar or other potentially explosive dusts.