What is the ATEX Directive ....
Directive 94/9/EC (in force since 01.07.2003), which refers mainly to manufacturers of products intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres and Directive 1999/92/EC (in force since 10.09.2003), which can be considered a legal fence within which to insert to the Directive 94/9/EC, are turning to the risk of an explosive atmosphere (ATmospheres EXplosive) in the workplace, but while the Directive 94/9/EC is aimed at 'equipment and / or instrument of work, Directive 1999/92/EC addresses people and work environment that surrounds it. Is for this reason that the two Directives are better identified with the name ATEX, although the Directive 1999/92/EC proposes a cut framework law and the Directive 94/9/EC is presented as a regulation, and applied with the use of harmonized standards.
Directives are defined in accordance with the principles of the New Approach and the Global Approach, and as such are designed to completely replace existing legislation in each Member in their respective fields of application. These directives have the dual aim of ensuring the free movement of goods through technical harmonization of entire product sectors and to ensure a high level of protection of public interest objectives specified in Article 95 paragraph 3 of the EC Treaty.
Title VIIIa bis, introduced by Legislative Decree 233/03, which "prescribes measures for the protection of the health and safety of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres", EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE defines as "a mixture with the ' air, under atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapors, mists or dusts in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture. "
The U.S. legislation is more precise, the Handbook of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): "Every industrial process that reduces an explosive material and some material not normally explosives to a state of division into very fine particles, has a potential for serious risk of fire or explosion. "
In particular, 'MORE' OF 0.8 mm 5% OF DUST ON THE SURFACE OF A ROOM IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF EXPLOSION, "according to the rules of NFPA 654, relating to Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions occur during the production, processing, handling of fine fuels.
Directives are defined in accordance with the principles of the New Approach and the Global Approach, and as such are designed to completely replace existing legislation in each Member in their respective fields of application. These directives have the dual aim of ensuring the free movement of goods through technical harmonization of entire product sectors and to ensure a high level of protection of public interest objectives specified in Article 95 paragraph 3 of the EC Treaty.
Title VIIIa bis, introduced by Legislative Decree 233/03, which "prescribes measures for the protection of the health and safety of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres", EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE defines as "a mixture with the ' air, under atmospheric conditions, of flammable substances in the form of gases, vapors, mists or dusts in which, after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture. "
The U.S. legislation is more precise, the Handbook of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): "Every industrial process that reduces an explosive material and some material not normally explosives to a state of division into very fine particles, has a potential for serious risk of fire or explosion. "
In particular, 'MORE' OF 0.8 mm 5% OF DUST ON THE SURFACE OF A ROOM IS A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF EXPLOSION, "according to the rules of NFPA 654, relating to Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions occur during the production, processing, handling of fine fuels.