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It is time for the industry to step up its safety game and insist on independent third-party certification for ATEX.  For that extra peace of mind do not be content with a manufacturer’s self-certification argues Nick Wakley, Quality Manager at Air Control Industries.

While manufacturers are legally accountable for the entire ATEX certification process and the vast majority are responsible, the bigger question is who is policing the process – or are we waiting for the disastrous consequences of something going wrong? 

Optimally matched to the welding torch at all times: The new VacuFil series of extraction units from KEMPER is a unique unit for torch extraction that combines easy handling with needs-based extraction capacity.

The VacuFil 125i, 150i and 250i digital unit variants automatically and continuously adjust the required air volume flows according to the individual torch characteristics. W3 approval now certifies that the digital VacuFil versions embody the highest level of protective welding equipment. Also, international machine manufacturers are already successfully using the new high-vacuum technology.

Fume and dust are the enemy of process-based operations. Poor workplace practices, particularly where hazardous materials are being worked, not only present a health risk to employees, they can also significantly impact productivity through downtime and create unnecessary cost for businesses.

In the UK, exposure levels to potentially harmful airborne contaminants are tightly mandated through the COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations and expressed as workplace exposure limits (WELs).  These limits are presented in the Health & Safety Executive’s EH40 guidance as time weighted averages for either 15 minutes or 8 hours, in both ppm (parts per million) or mg/m3 (milligrams per m3). 

“Employers are under a legal obligation to assess the risk to health created by work involving hazardous substances, taking account of any relevant WELs,” says Joshua Evans, an applications engineer at BOFA International, a global leader in portable fume extraction. 

Peli Products (UK) offer a wide range of ATEX approved lighting products for professionals working in hazardous areas.  Each torch in the Peli safety range is certified to current ATEX requirements for Zone 0 or Zone 1 and are ideal for industrial and offshore use.

The range includes small compact torches through to large rechargeable hand lamps and worklights. 

A wide area light is produced from the 9455 Zone 0 model, this rugged work light is silent running and rechargeable.  Weighing 7.3kg, it is compact, portable and can be set up in seconds. The unit has a retractable mast; the head can be rotated 360° and pivots to angle the light directly where required.  A ten hour runtime ensures light duration for a full shift.

An innovative and future-oriented LED lighting fixtures for areas at risk of explosion and fire

LifEx lighting fixtures are the first LED native linear fixtures, featuring an innovative design by Cortem Group, created in response to customer requirements.

The product architecture has been carefully designed. The aim is to manage the full product lifecycle optimally as part of a circular economy, and maximise the product’s useful life. The result is a compact, lightweight lighting fixture that is easy to install, while also being robust and long lasting.

In the event of an explosion, the EXKOP Express controller receives a trigger signal, for example from the signalling unit of a flameless venting device, an explosion vent, a pressure detector or an IR-Flame sensor.

The EXKOP Express controller then activates the connected explosion isolation systems, causing adjacent plant components to be isolated within milliseconds and protected against explosion propagation. The EXKOP Express is suitable for the following isolation systems: REMBE quench valves QV II and QV III, the Q-Bic extinguishing barrier and the RSV Slide Valve and REDEX Slide. 

Designed to be interchangeable with a wide range of hydraulic torque wrenches and cassettes on the market, the new Enerpac HMT Series is a flexible, two-in-one tool can be used with a low-profile hex or square drive cassette. Its modular parts eliminate the need to select and purchase separate tools, thus helping reduce the cost of ownership. 

The ATEX and CE approved Enerpac HMT Torque Wrenches are the most durable wrenches in their class, with up to a 2.5X longer life expectancy than other leading tools. Housed in superior, lightweight alloys, the HMT provides strength and versatility to a variety of bolting applications, all in a single tool. When it comes to speed, Enerpac HMT Torque Wrenches have best-in-class efficiency and are up to 25% faster than competitor torque wrenches. It’s low maintenance too, with only three moving parts; all of which are enclosed, minimising pinch points.

StuvEx manufactures two truck earthing control systems, both ATEX Certified, which are guaranteed to safely discharge static build up; one for dusts and powders the other for gas. Two important revisions to the gas version (TES 01-V2/Ex) have just been announced which improve functionality and simplify installation.

StuvEx launched their earthing control monitors some years ago and have since sold hundreds across the globe. Regular updates have taken place and these two revisions are the latest.

VEGA have always developed their sensors with approvals for use in hazardous areas. The new 80 GHz compact series designed for the water and environmental industry is no exception, and heralds a new feature, by offering the first compact radar with an ATEX/IEC certification class ‘by encapsulation’. 

This means the fully enclosed, ready-cabled, IP68 protected device is suitable for operation, without any barrier required, in Zone 1/Zone 20 hazardous area and cabled back to any standard/safe area SCADA control system, controller, transmitter, telemetry or datalogger. 

Renewable fuels are more common every year and rightly so as studies show they release up to 80% less carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than conventional petroleum-based fuel. After the introduction of new energy policies in Europe demanding the usage of more clean energy and lower carbon fuels, biofuels have become one of the most popular renewable energy sources, with biodiesel being perhaps the most common type.

Biodiesel is made from vegetable oil or animal fats, producing fuel from vegetable oil is not something new, in fact the original diesel engine invented by Rudolf Diesel in the 1980s in ran on vegetable oil.