Equipments, meet the ATEX general directions

Classification of explosive atmospheres:

Eight ZONES have been created based on the EuroNorm classification. With the exception of the mining classes, the following table provides an overview of these zones. The list therefore includes six categories: three for gases and three for dusts:

Key for the table:
G – GAS
D – DUST

NGM Decree No 35/2016 of 27 September 2016 of the Minister for National Economy on the examination and certification of equipment and protection systems to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres entered into effect on 12 October 2016. The Decree serves to provide compliance with Directive 2014/34/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

GM Decree No 8/2016 of 16 February 2016 of the Minister for Economy on the examination and certification of equipment and protection systems to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres shall lapse.

Products that meet the requirements of GM Decree No 8/2016 of 16 February 2002 of the Minister for Economy on the examination and certification of equipment and protection systems to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres, and sold before 20 April 2016, may still be marketed and put into operation.

A brief description of the sector

This range of products is defined by NGM Decree No 35/2016 of 27 September 2016 of the Minister for National Economy (hereinafter: NGM Decree). The NGM Decree serves to transpose Regulation (EU) No 2014/34 of the European Parliament and of the Council into Hungarian law.

The equipment in this sector is referred to as explosion-proof (or “ep”) equipment. Potentially explosive atmospheres are atmospheres where flammable gas, steam, fog or dust can form an explosive combination with air. Directive 2014/34/EU is also referred to as the ATEX Directive. ATEX derives its name from the French for explosive environment (ATmosphères EXplosibles).

The Authority is responsible for the equipment and protection systems classified under usage group II as defined by Section 3 point 26 of the NGM Decree. These are explosion-proof appliances not intended for mines. The Magyar Bányászati és Földtani Hivatal [Hungarian Office for Mining and Geology] deals with  market supervision for the equipment in usage group I.

Besides the CE label, it is also obligatory to mark explosion-proof equipment with the Ex inside a hexagon.   

Related legislation:

Associated with the GM Decree is the http://njt.hu/cgi_bin/njt_doc.cgi?docid=73511.101802oint FMM-ESzCsM Decree No 3/2003 of 11 March 2003 of the Minister of Employment and Labour and the Minister of Health, Social and Family Affairs on the minimum occupational safety requirements for workplaces with potentially explosive atmospheres.

When selecting the proper technology, the composition of the material to be filtered must be analysed. If any of the materials require an ATEX environment during extraction, explosion-proof equipment must be installed. This generally means using antistatic filter units, non-sparking fans, filter housings and cyclones equipped with explosion vents, as well as shut-off valves that switch on other safety devices with heat and pressure sensors, such as halon or powder extinguishers that protect the piping. All the above equipment, even if it is unable to prevent an explosion, is aimed at minimising the resulting damage.

ATEX filtration equipment