Explosive Atmosphere Testing (ATEX)

These services include:

The European ATEX product directive for hazardous location (hazloc) equipment became mandatory in July 2003. TRaC Certification Marks ensures your product meets these requirements enabling you to quickly get your product to market.

• Product evaluation and certification - to IEC, EN, UL and Mil/Aero standards
• Production control audits - ATEX QAN, IECEx QAR and Hazloc
• Technical fire services - for ATEX mechanical equipment
• Technical advice sessions - Free 2 hour pre-application meeting
• Design study - Short feasibility review of key features of the design

TRaC Explosive Safety Testing also provides services in support of Hazardous Area Safety in the UK (DSEAR).

These Safety Testing Services include:

• Hazardous area classification - Zoning of hazardous areas
• Hazardous area risk assessment - Defining explosion risks
• Hazardous area documentation - Evidence packs to support legal obligations
• Hazardous area training - Training for key personnel in support of DSEAR
• Hazardous area inspections – Routine inspection of electrical equipment

There are three main sets of technical requirements applicable to commercial hazardous locations throughout the world. The process of global harmonisation for these technical requirements is developing around a core of IEC hazardous area standards. The three main sets of requirements to consider are:

• ATEX certification - for European markets
• Hazloc certification - for USA and Canadian markets
• IECEx certification - for other international markets

In addition, there are specific requirements for Military and Aerospace hazardous locations:

• Military testing – explosive atmospheres in defence applications
• Aerospace testing - explosive atmospheres in aviation applications

Potentially explosive atmospheres are commonly found in the following environments:

• Aerospace
• Food processing
• Fuel handling
• Military
• Mining industries
• Petrochemical
• Pharmaceutical

Common standards used for testing equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres are:

• IEC60079 and EN60079 series (electrical equipment – gases and dusts)
• IEC61241 and EN61241 series (electrical equipment – dusts)
• EN13463 series (ATEX mechanical equipment: gases and dusts)
• EN13980 (ATEX production control)
• MIL-STD 810F (explosion prevention in military equipment)
• RTCA DO-160F (explosion prevention in aviation applications)