ATEX (ATmosphere EXplosible) is the generic term for two mandatory directives that were passed by the European Parliament in the 1990s and are applicable to EU Member States. Both directives aim to harmonise the statutory provisions and standards for potentially explosive atmospheres.

Directive 94/9/EC, also known as ATEX100 or ATEX95, governs the placing on the market of equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. In Germany, directive 94/9/EC resulted in the adoption of the

11th Regulation on the Equipment Safety Law (11GSGV) which applies to manufacturers of equipment and protective systems.

Directive 1999/92/EC, also known as ATEX118a or ATEX 137, governs the minimum requirements for improving the health and occupational safety protection in potentially explosive atmospheres. In Germany, directive 1999/92/EC resulted in the adoption of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) which applies to the operators of equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres.

In contrast to the old explosion protection directives and ordinances that had to be observed in the past, ATEX is not exclusively limited to electrical equipment, but also applies to mechanical equipment and components for the first time.

So what is a potentially explosive atmosphere and what is a potentially explosive mixture?

A potentially explosive atmosphere is an atmosphere which could become explosive due to local and operational conditions, ie an atmosphere which is characterised by the fact that a potentially explosive mixture of air and combustible gases, vapours, mists, or dusts could develop under atmospheric conditions (0.8–1.1 bar, -20 to 60°C). After an ignition of such a mixture, the combustion can spread to the entire unburned component of such a mixture.

Pumps by Abel transport difficult media in a gentle and secure manner. They are as suitable for aggressive, abrasive, and highly inflammable fluids as for media of high viscosity. Both the Electromechanical Membrane Pumps of the EM series (Zversion) as well as the Piston Membrane Pumps of the CM series are now available with ATEX certification for the equipment group II, categories 2 and 3.

Abel has paid particular attention to the potentially different zones on the inside and on the outside of the pump. Depending on the application and the place of installation, it is possible that the inside of the pump exhibits an Ex zone that differs from the requirement the operator has determined for the respective place of installation.

The application of ATEX requires the existence of atmospheric conditions. As a result, the assumed continuous existence of a pressure above the atmospheric pressure within the pump would counter the specific safety requirements of ATEX.

The definitions show that only the operator (inspector, customer) can determine as to whether an area to be the place of installation for our pumps constitutes a potentially explosive atmosphere and/or as to whether a potentially explosive mixture can form. However, in many cases, this evaluation is extremely difficult even for the operator. For that reason, we aim to provide our customers with support with regard to all questions related to ATEX.