Working safely
Conditions for maintaining the ATEX-certification
Working safely, everyone’s responsibility and everyone benefits.
This article was previously published by Artidor on LinkedIn and has been reproduced with permission and slightly adapted to our company.
Conditions for maintaining the ATEX-certification
When a manufacturer brings an explosion safe product to market, he has the responsibility to provide the user with all required documentation and information. This entails the product itself, the accompanying manual and the European Declaration of Conformity. By providing this documentation, the supplier declares that the product complies with the current ATEX-standards. From that moment on responsibly falls on the user, who is obliged to closely follow all instructions in the manual. This is essential for maintaining the explosion safety of the product.
The manual contains mandatory instructions the user must follow. Think about safety instructions for installation, first time use, adjustment, use, maintenance, repair and revision, as well as information about intended use, which makes it possible to assess whether the device can be used safely within the explosion hazard zone in question. Furthermore, it has technical specifications, like voltage, current, power and pressure and directions for safe operation. Specific operation conditions are indicated by an “X”-marking and special tooling for installation and maintenance is also covered. Finally, the manual contains an overview of all relevant standards (including year of publication) or a copy of the ATEX certificate. By following these guidelines, the user can maintain the certification of the device and ensure explosion safety.
Situations in which explosion safety is no longer guaranteed
There are circumstances under which the explosion safety of a device can no longer be assumed. Improper or bad maintenance can lead to malfunctions and dangerous situations, while using non-original parts may affect the functioning of the device. Modifications or changes that significantly change the specifications of the device may compromise explosion safety. In that case the responsibility lies entirely with the user and the manufacturer cannot be held liable.
Please note the indication “Specific Conditions of Use”. This means that specific terms of use apply, as stated in the device’s certificate. For EX equipment the mandatory use of a certain fuse to secure the device often applies. When a product has specific terms of use, this is indicated by the addition of an “X” after the certificate number (for instance 16ATEX0026 X). By following these directives explosion safety is ensured and the product will meet the ATEX certification standards.
Do not hesitate to ask to contact us: we will gladly help you with your questions about explosion safe equipment and compliance with ATEX directives.