ATEX Fans
Supplying fans for hazardous environments
ATEX 94/9/EC is the directive intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The directive became legally effective on July 1st 2003. The directive is now EU law and any equipment, electrical or mechanical for insulation in a hazardous areas within EU member states must now comply. The purpose of the directive is to protect people who work in explosive areas.
Finna Fans have been supplying corrosion resistant plastic fans into hazardous areas for over 10 years now. The fans we Manufacture are fully compliant with the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC and in accordance with EN14986:2007 & EN13463-1:2001.
Equipment categories and explosion groups are divided into zones, the zones are defined below for equipment group II Gases. This equipment is classified according to the explosion groups (subdivisions IIA, IIB and IIC). Equipment in IIC is also suitable for IIB and IIA.
If equipment is designed and constructed according to good engineering practice and the ignition hazard assessment ensures that the equipment does not contain any effective ignition sources during expected malfunctions or rare malfunctions, the equipment may be classified as category 2.
Similarly where the ignition hazard assessment ensures that the equipment does not contain any effective ignition sources in normal operation , the equipment can be classified as category 3 equipment.
Below is a table specifying the materials of construction we use for internal parts that are exposed to the air with a mixture of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour and mist.
End users must complete a FETA fan application sheet for risk assessment of standards employed. Our fans are fully certified for category 2G Zone 1 with our technical lodge file held by Baseefa for a period of 10 years. 3G Zone 2 fans are self-certified by Finna Fans Ltd.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Below is a guideline for the requirements of equipment group II, which is taken from EN 13463-1:2001
7.4.4 Equipment Group II
Group II equipment shall be so designed that under conditions of use, maintenance and cleaning, danger of ignition due to electrical electrostatic charges are avoided. This requirement shall be satisfied by one of the following:
a) By suitable selection of the material so that the surface resistance of the enclosure, measured according to 13.3.4.7 does not exceed 1GῺ at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity;
b) Or by virtue of the size, shape and lay-out or other protective methods, such that dangerous electrostatic charges are not likely to occur. For category 2G equipment , this requirement can be satisfied by using the test in annex C, provided brush discharges cannot occur (see 7.4.2);
C) Or by limitation of the surface area projected in any direction of non-conductive parts of equipment liable to become electrostatically charged as follows, provided propagating brush discharges cannot occur.
Table 2 – Permitted maximum projected areas for non-conductive parts of equipment liable to become electrostatically charged
Below is a guideline for the requirements of equipment group II with regards to fire resistance which is taken from EN 14986:2007 page 16.
4.23 Fire Resistance
The materials used for the impeller and fan casing shall withstand short-term exposure to flames.
This requirement is met if the components are only partially destroyed without the onset of a self-sustaining combustion when exposed to a (propane) Bunsen burner flame approximately 150mm long for 30 s without additional air supply.
