Two important new safety directives become fully operational across Europe. These new regulations are known as the ATEX Directives and apply to manufacturers, suppliers and users of equipment designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (also known as hazardous areas).
An explosive atmosphere is defined as a mixture with air, under atmospheric conditions, of dangerous substances in the form of gases, vapours, mist or dust in which after ignition has occurred, combustion spreads to the entire unburned mixture.
Directives 99/92/EC (ATEX 137), “USE” directives, requires employers to protect workers from the risk of explosive atmospheres.
Directives 94/9/EC (ATEX 95 or ATEX 100A) “Equipment and Protective Systems for use in potentially explosive atmospheres” covers electrical and non-electrical products intended for use in hazardous areas (gas, vapours or dust atmospheres). Compliance with both ATEX directives are a legal requirement in all European Union Members States from 1 July 2003.
In Bio-Pharmaceutical applications, some processes are required to have ATEX classified filters in certain zones (see table).
Camfil Farr in Europe have developed ATEX approved HEPA filters and housings for use in Bio-Pharmaceutical facilities in order to avoid any electrostatic hazards from gas or dust in the ATEX zone.
Camfil Farr has developed ATEX specifically designed versions of most of filters and filter housings generally used in Bio-Pharmaceutical facilities in order to avoid any electrostatic hazards in ATEX zones Gas or Dust.
Camfil Farr ATEX solutions are fully certified according to ATEX Directive requirements with the appropriate “Ex” marking, the “ATEX Declaration of Conformity” and “Instruction for use”.