Explosion prevention and protection devices (ATEX) and fire-prevention devices

Mion Ventoltermica fits a number of appropriate explosion prevention and protection devices to machines that are intended to operate in potentially explosive atmospheres, in order to:

APPLY THE ATEX DIRECTIVE (new machinery);
COMPLY WITH THE ATEX DIRECTIVE (existing machinery).

The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU specifies the requirements that must be observed by manufacturers of machines which are intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. Conversely, a second ATEX regulation, the Directive 99/92/EU, obliges the user of the machine (end customer) to adopt minimum requirements for improving safety and health protection of its workers who may potentially be exposed to risks from explosive atmospheres

In addition, machines can be equipped with fire prevention devices (spark detectors, etc.).

Further details on this system

In order to comply with the requirements of EU Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX Directive), Mion Ventoltermica equips and installs adequate explosion prevention and protection devices, on new machinery and/or existing machinery, which are intended to immediately block the propagation of an explosion within the sections of the plant:

division dampers;

diverters;

chemical suppressors;

“Flameproof EX” star valves, etc.;

and/or to limit the area affected by fire and pressure caused by the explosion:

anti-explosion panels, etc.

Mion Ventoltermica also fits appropriate fire-fighting devices onto machinery, which are intended to prevent and/or rapidly intervene following the start of a fire through detection, shutdown and containment systems (spark detectors, fire dampers, etc.).

ATEX – POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE

An “explosive atmosphere” means a mixture of air and flammable substances (in the form of gases, vapours, mists or dusts) in specific atmospheric conditions in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the unburned mixture (Art. 288 of Legislative Decree 81/08) In addition, an atmosphere which could become explosive due to local and/or operational conditions is called a “potentially explosive atmosphere”.

Safety in the workplace, where there may be a risk of explosion is regulated by two directives, at European level, commonly referred to as the ATEX Directives (the acronym stands for “ATmosphere EXplosive”):

Directive 2014/34/EU- Responsibility of the Supplier:
Designers – Builders – Traders – Installers – Users – Entities that certify protective equipment and systems for use in areas with potentially explosive atmospheres.

Directive 99/92/EU – Responsibility of the user.

The ATEX directives set out the requirements that must be met to ensure the safety of equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres, and the health and safety of workers working in environments where there is a risk of explosive atmospheres.