Lighting & Ventilation Equipment

Lighting & Ventilation Equipment

Lighting & Ventilation Equipment is available for sale at Professional Safety Services (UK) Ltd. Contact our sales team on 01423 323 302.

ATEX Lighting

Organisations in the EU must follow Directives to protect employees from explosion risk in areas with an explosive atmosphere.

There are two ATEX Directives (one for the manufacturer and one for the user of the equipment):

• the ATEX 214 “equipment” Directive 2014/34/EU – Equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres
• the ATEX 137 “workplace” Directive 1999/92/EC – Minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres.

Note: The ATEX 95 “equipment” Directive 94/9/EC, was withdrawn on 20 April 2016 when it was replaced by ATEX 214 Directive 2014/34/EU. ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU is mandatory for manufacturers as of 20 April 2016 as stated in article 44 of the Directive.

ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU was published on 29 March 2014, by the European Parliament. It refers to the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The ATEX Directive covers explosions from flammable gas/vapours and combustible dust/fibres (which, contrary to common perception, can lead to hazardous explosions^[2])

Hazard – Gas/vapour/mist

• Zone 0 – A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
• Zone 1 – A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
• Zone 2 – A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.

Hazard – dust/fibres

• Zone 20 – A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.
• Zone 21 – A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
• Zone 22 – A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.