ILME: APX Gehäuse aus Aluminiumdruckguss - APV ATEX

5 Background information on ATEX The name ATEX, although unofficial, is today universally used to refer to European Directives 94/9/EC and 1999/92/EC . This acronym derives from the French term AT mosphère EX plosible. - Directive 94/9/EC is also know as the "Directive on ATEX products" or also called by insiders “ ATEX 95 ” or alternatively “ ATEX 100a ”, based on the articles of the Treaty that established the creation of the European Community (now European Union), which specifies that the Council may adopt, by means of directives, measures to support and regulate the internal market. This directive has been in force since 1-07-2003. - Directive 99/92/EC is also known as the "social ATEX directive" or the "ATEX directive concerning workplaces" or referred to by insiders as “ ATEX 137 ”, based on the article of the Treaty that established the creation of the European Community, which specifies that the Council may adopt, by means of directives, minimum measures in order to promote the improvement of workplaces in particular so as to guarantee a higher level of safety and the health of workers. This directive has been in force since 1-07-2006. The two ATEX directives define the safety rules that have to be implemented in workplaces exposed to the risks of explosion due to the presence of combustive gases/vapours/mists. They have been acknowledged by the EU member states and converted into national laws and/or decrees, with provisions concerning the various levels of responsibilities . Responsibilities Manufacturer of electrical equipment Equipment designed to be used in explosive atmospheres must be designed and manufactured so that it does not generate ignition sources. In Europe, electrical equipment designed to be installed in explosive atmospheres falls within the scope of Directive 94/9/EC (ATEX) and can be sold in Europe only if it complies with this directive. The manufacturer must classify the equipment according to the safety levels guaranteed by the design principles used during manufacturing in order to allow end users to select the equipment that best suits the area of installation. Based on the declared category, the manufacturer must verify that the equipment complies with the "main safety requirements" ( EHSR Essential Health and Safety Requirements ) of the directive, prepare the technical file, define the safety instructions and apply the CE marking in compliance with Directive 94/9/EC. Products must be introduced in the market with the correct marking, and supplied with the necessary safety instructions and the EC declaration of conformity. Employer According to the provisions of Directive 99/92/EC, the employer must assess the risks to which workers may be exposed in explosive atmospheres. In particular, the directive establishes that the employer must: - Divide the working areas into zones (Zone 0, 1, 2, 20, 21, 22) - Implement the minimum safety requirements (the main safety requirements indicated in the directive) in hazardous areas - Implement organisational provisions and protective measures against explosions (including reference information on the choice of electric and non electrical equipment, as per Directive 94/9/EC) - Inspect the electric equipment installed in Zones 0, 1, 20, and 21 every 2 years, in accordance with Presidential Decree 462/2001 (*) The employer must also choose the correct type of electrical equipment on the basis of the type of hazardous area and prepare a document with information on the protection against explosions. (*) Note: The legislation reported here is valid in Italy. Similar legislation is in force in different countries. Designer A project is always required for electrical equipment in zones at risk of explosion. The electrical installation designer, who must have specific experience in the design of electrical equipment and must be a regular member of a professional register, prepares the project on the employer's request. The designer must design the electrical installation in accordance with the best working practices, that is in compliance with all applicable European harmonised standards. For electrical installations designed to be installed in explosive atmospheres, the best working practices are represented by the installation standards in force at the time of design phase. It is important to remember that the classification of working areas into zones (Zone 0, 1, 2, 20, 21 and 22) must be supplied by the employer, who is responsible by law for the same. Installer The installer must install the electrical plants in compliance with design technical specifications and the best working practices (installation standards in force at the time of installation), and observe the safety instructions provided by the manufacturer for equipment compliant with ATEX Directive 94/9/EC. Failure to follow these instructions may compromise the protection type of the equipment, resulting in the invalidity of conformity with the directive, without any responsibility on the manufacturer’s side. At the end of the work, the installer must issue a declaration of conformity according the law requirements applicable in the country of installation (in Italy the reference law is Ministerial Decree 37/08). ATEX 94/9/EC (ATEX 95 or ATEX 100a) Directive concerning equipment and protection systems designed to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres Manufacturer of electrical equipment Verification of the conformity of the equipment ATEX 99/92/EC (ATEX 137) Minimum requirements for the safety and protection of the health of workers potentially exposed to risks in explosive environments Employer Risk assessment ATEX