ATEX DIRECTIVE - ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Info Sheet PO11 - Issue 1 : March 1996

Note: This Info Sheet is one of a series covering the ATEX Directive. For an introduction see
Info Sheet P010.

What are the Essential Requirements?

The ATEX Directive, 94/9/EC specifies the essential health and safety requirements, commonly
abbreviated to the essential requirements, that must be met by equipment and protective systems
intended to be used in potentially explosive atmospheres.
The essential requirements are listed in Annex II of the ATEX Directive. They relate to features of
equipment and protective systems that are necessary in order to prevent explosions or to control the
effects of incipient explosions.
The essential requirements fall into three groups:
1. Common requirements
2. Requirements for equipment
3. Requirements for protective systems
One of the preliminary observations in Annex II is that technological knowledge, which can change
rapidly, must be taken into account as far as possible and be utilised immediately. This implies that
only the latest standards should be used.

Common requirements
The common requirements cover:

1.0 General requirements

principles of integrated explosion safety Info Sheet P021

special checking and maintenance conditions
surrounding area conditions
marking
instructions

1.1 Selection of materials

materials that could trigger explosions

adverse reactions between materials
resistance to service conditions

1.2 Design and construction

safe operation throughout foreseeable life

interchangeability of components
prevention of leaks
dust deposits
additional means of protection
safe opening
protection against other hazards
overloading of equipment
flameproof enclosure systems

1.3 Potential ignition sources

hazards from different ignition sources Info Sheet P021

static electricity
stray electric and leakage currents
overheating
pressure compensation operations

1.4 Hazards arising from external effects

safe operation under specified operating conditions

resistance to mechanical and thermal stresses and aggressive substances.

1.5 Requirements in respect of safety devices

safety function independent of measurement or control function

detection of failure - fail safe
direct actuation of control device

equipment and/or protective systems made safe

restart lockouts
control and display units
devices with measuring function for explosion protection
risks arising from software

1.6 Integration of safety requirements relating to the system

manual override
dispersion of accumulated energy
power failure
connections and interfaces
warning devices

Supplementary requirements for equipment

The supplementary requirements relate to each of the equipment categories Info Sheet P018
2.0.1 Category M1 - mining equipment with very high level of protection.
2.0.2 Category M2 - mining equipment with high level of protection.
2.1 Category 1 - non-mining equipment with very high level of protection.
2.2 Category 2 - non-mining equipment with high level of protection.
2.3 Category 3 - non-mining equipment with normal level of protection.
Within each section the requirements cover:

prevention of ignition sources from becoming active

control of surface temperatures
safe opening
prevention of dust ingress and egress.

Supplementary requirements for Protective Systems

3.0 General requirements

dimensioning to reduce effects of explosion to a safe level

positioning to prevent explosions from spreading

power failure
resistance to outside interference.

3.1 Planning and design

characteristics of materials
shockwave resistance
pressure-withstand of accessories
account taken of pressure in peripheral equipment and pipework.
pressure relief systems
explosion suppression systems
explosion decoupling systems
integration into safety system

For more information and details of EECS services contact:

Electrical Equipment Certification Service
Health and Safety Executive
Harpur Hill
Buxton SK17 9JN
United Kingdom
[44] (0) 1298 28000 Fax: [44] (0) 1298 28244