ATEX

ATEX stands for “Atmosphère Explosible” and refers to explosive atmospheres. The term is closely linked to the European Directive 2014/34/EU, which defines the requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive environments. The goal of these regulations is to ensure the safety of people, animals, and property in explosion-hazard areas.

For companies in industrial and process engineering, ATEX means that only equipment which demonstrably meets the strict safety requirements may be marketed and used.

The legal requirements surrounding ATEX are based on European directives that regulate both the marketing of equipment and the safe operation of systems in explosive atmospheres:

• Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX Equipment Directive): Specifies the conditions under which equipment and protective systems may be placed on the market. Manufacturers must prove that their products meet safety and health protection requirements and have passed a conformity assessment procedure.
• Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX Workplace Directive): Addresses plant operators and defines minimum requirements for the safety of employees. This includes zone classification, selection of suitable equipment, and organizational measures for explosion protection.

In addition to the directives, international standards play a key role by providing practical guidance for design and operation:

• DIN EN ISO 80079-36: Defines the basic principles and general requirements for non-electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres.
• DIN EN ISO 80079-37: Supplements these requirements with specific protection concepts such as constructional safety (“c”), control of ignition sources (“b”), and liquid encapsulation (“k”).

Together, these directives and standards ensure that both manufacturers and operators have clear guidance for the design, labeling, and use of ATEX-certified equipment.

Hazardous areas are classified into ATEX zones according to the type and frequency of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere. This classification is essential for assessing the risk and selecting the appropriate equipment and protection systems.

Areas with Gases, Vapors, and Mists

• Zone 0: An explosive atmosphere is present continuously, for long periods, or frequently. These areas require the highest level of equipment protection.
• Zone 1: An explosive atmosphere is likely to occur occasionally during normal operation. Equipment must be designed for a high level of safety.
• Zone 2: An explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation, or only for short periods. Equipment here can have a lower protection level compared to Zones 0 or 1.

Areas with Dusts

• Zone 20: A combustible dust atmosphere is present continuously, for long periods, or frequently – comparable to Zone 0 for gases.
• Zone 21: A dust atmosphere may occur occasionally during normal operation.
• Zone 22: A dust atmosphere is unlikely to occur, and if it does, only for a short period.

Mining Areas

Mining environments are subject to special requirements, as methane gas or coal dust can create explosive atmospheres. Equipment must be specifically tested and approved for these extreme conditions, since failures can have serious consequences.

This zone classification forms the basis for selecting the appropriate equipment category and required Equipment Protection Level (EPL) under ATEX.

The ATEX categorization ensures that the risk level of a zone is matched with the corresponding protection level of the equipment. Each zone is assigned specific equipment categories, each offering a defined safety level.

The term EPL (Equipment Protection Level) describes the protection level of a device. The higher the risk in a zone, the higher the required protection level of the equipment.

Every ATEX-certified device carries a specific marking that provides key information such as:

• Equipment group and category
• Type of explosive atmosphere (gas or dust)
• Type of ignition protection
• Temperature class
• Equipment Protection Level (EPL)

This marking allows operators to quickly verify whether a device is suitable for a given ATEX zone.

II 2G Ex h IIB T4 Gb

Explanation:

• II = Equipment Group II (for use outside mining, e.g. industrial facilities)
• 2G = Equipment Category 2, suitable for Zone 1 (gas atmosphere, high safety level)
• Ex = Explosion-proof equipment
• h = Type of ignition protection “h” (for non-electrical equipment according to EN ISO 80079-36/-37)
• IIB = Gas Group (suitable for gases in Groups IIA and IIB, e.g. ethylene)
• T4 = Temperature class, maximum surface temperature 135 °C
• Gb = Equipment Protection Level (EPL), “high” for use in Zone 1

This marking system clearly indicates for which zone and type of explosive atmosphere the equipment is approved.

KAMAT complies with the ATEX directive and offers high-pressure pumps and valves that are fully certified. Compliance with Directive 2014/34/EU and standards DIN EN ISO 80079-36 and DIN EN ISO 80079-37 has been verified through a conformity assessment.

KAMAT products are labeled according to their certification and can be used in the following areas:

• Zone 1 (Category 2G, EPL Gb)
• Zone 2 (Category 3G, EPL Gc)
• Zone 21 (Category 2D, EPL Db)
• Zone 22 (Category 3D, EPL Dc)
• Mining (Category M2, EPL Mb)

On request, KAMAT pumps can also be supplied in compliance with the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft) to meet stricter environmental regulations. This makes KAMAT high-pressure pumps a safe and flexible solution for a wide range of industrial applications – from chemical processing and energy production to mining operations.

With the pump finder, users can easily identify the right ATEX-compliant high-pressure pump for their specific application. The tool considers relevant operating conditions and displays suitable models that are certified for the required ATEX zone, ensuring a fast and compliant selection process.