Petrol stations, warehouses, some production chains - risks exist wherever explosive substances are handled. In this blog post, we will discuss the most important issues related to explosion-hazardous areas and present you with the highest level of safety equipment designed to work in explosive environments.
An ex zone refers to a potentially explosive atmosphere. The risk is particularly present where explosive substances such as dusts, liquids or gases are produced, processed, transported or stored.
The Ex mark is part of the safety marking. It indicates that an explosive atmosphere, i.e. a risk of a potential explosion, may occur in or near a building. It should be displayed in a prominent position.
Ex zone
This space requires appropriate measures. The employer is obliged, among other things, to:
designate Ex areas
avoid sources of ignition in these areas
prevent the consequences of a possible explosion
Minimum requirements concerning safety and hygiene at work in industrial plants, where an explosive atmosphere occurs, are specified in the regulation of the Minister of Economy on minimum requirements concerning safety and hygiene at work related to the possibility of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere in the workplace.
A potentially explosive atmosphere is an area where it is possible that an explosive mixture (of at least 0.01 m3 volume in a confined space) can occur whose explosion would cause a pressure increase of at least 5 kPa.
An explosion will not occur if the flammable substance in a mixture with air takes values below the lower explosive limit and above the upper explosive limit.
Strefa ex
The division model is mainly used in the United States and Canada, while the rest of the world generally uses a zone system. Division 2 corresponds to zone 2, while Division 1 is either zone 0 or 1.
The ATEX environment can be divided into zones, each with specific hazards and regulations for equipment use. Of the six Ex zones, three gas zones and three dust zones define where there is an explosion hazard.
The division of explosion danger zones is made on the basis of the probability and duration of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere.
The JUMO PROCESStemp resistance sensor has ATEX and IECEx approvals for hazardous areas. It is ideal for use in hazardous environments due to its robust housing made of stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, Inconel® or HASTELLOY®, an operating temperature of up to 600°C and an IP65 protection rating.
