State of the Art Explosion Protection
The explosion protection concept
A good explosion protection concept is crucial to ensure safety in potentially explosive atmospheres and to comply with legal requirements. This requires a thorough analysis as part of a hazard assessment or risk assessment and clear planning.
The experienced consultants at FireEx support companies worldwide in developing optimal solutions. With our structured approach and in close cooperation with our customers’ experts, we efficiently understand the task at hand and quickly identify areas for action. When finding solutions, we rely on clever approaches that not only guarantee safety, but also make economic sense.
The explosion protection document
Based on the explosion protection concept, the explosion protection document is created, which plays a central role in ensuring explosion protection. It serves as proof of compliance with legal requirements and is mandatory in Europe in accordance with the ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC. The document forms the basis for safe operation in potentially explosive atmospheres by describing in detail the risk assessment, zone classification, identified ignition sources and defined protective measures or the protection concept.
Comparable requirements also apply in Switzerland, which are in line with European legislation, in particular the EKAS guidelines and the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health as well as SUVA leaflet 2153 on explosion protection. The explosion protection document is not only a legal obligation, but also a valuable tool for systematically reducing risks, clarifying liability issues and ensuring the long-term safety of installations.
Explosion protection and ATEX
Explosion protection and ATEX are closely linked, as the ATEX directives provide the legal framework for protection against explosions in the European Union. The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU regulates the requirements for equipment and protective systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres, while the ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC lays down minimum requirements for the safe operation and organization of such areas.
Explosion protection measures are based on the specifications of these directives, which require a systematic assessment of risks, zoning and the avoidance of ignition sources. The aim is to protect people, the environment and systems from the dangers of explosions. ATEX and the transposition of the directives into national law thus ensure that both technical solutions and organizational measures guarantee safety in potentially explosive atmospheres.
FireEx Tools for explosion protection
FireEx Consultant GmbH uses specialized software solutions such as FERA and WinVent to provide its customers worldwide with efficient and tailor-made explosion protection concepts.
FERA is a web-based, semi-quantitative risk assessment solution for fire and explosion protection that enables intuitive data collection and flexible authorization management.
WinVent is used to calculate explosion protection devices for pressure relief for dusts, gases and hybrid mixtures, so-called explosion pressure relief devices, and is based on current standards such as EN 14491:2012. By using these modern tools, risks can be precisely assessed and suitable protective measures developed, resulting in increased safety and efficiency for customers.
Consulting for your explosion protection
FireEx Consultant GmbH offers first-class consulting solutions worldwide in the field of fire and explosion protection. With an experienced team, FireEx sets new standards in risk assessment and the development of customized protection concepts based on preventive explosion protection measures by avoiding explosive atmospheres or effective ignition sources and, if necessary, in combination with constructive explosion protection measures such as explosion-proof design, explosion pressure relief, explosion suppression or explosion decoupling
A key USP of FireEx is its structured and efficient approach, which makes it possible to quickly identify individual challenges and develop innovative, cost-effective solutions. Close cooperation with the customer’s experts results in practical concepts that meet the highest safety standards and are also tailored to the specific requirements of each system.
Comprehensive expertise and consideration of current legal and normative requirements ensure that all protective measures are implemented in the best possible way, both technically and organizationally. With its holistic approach, FireEx supports customers worldwide in systematically minimizing risks and ensuring the safe operation of their systems in the long term.
