Hanbell ExP Series, Technical Manual, Page: 3 / 46

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1. General
1.1 Introduction of ATEX
ATEX is an acronym of “Atmosphéochres Explosives” from French. This includes two European Union (EU) directives
which regulate the manufacture, selection and usage of equipments in dangerous zone and has become a compulsory act
between members of EU since July 2003.
Directive 1999/92/EC
This directive is closely relates to laborers’ safety. User(proprietor) must first proceed risk assessment analysis and
then define relative potential explosive environment. Secondly, user(proprietor) should plan a classification of
dangerous zone according to the regulation and then clearly mark appropriate classifying signs in all the entrances of
related dangerous zones. Thirdly, user(proprietor) must ensure all the equipment used in each zone(which have
potential fire source) has been installed explosion proof equipments that meets the level needed for the classification of
that zone. User(proprietor) has absolute responsibility to ensure the explosion proof equipments installed in all the
dangerous zones are checked and maintained regularly according to the regulations and to ensure all the equipments
used meet exactly the classification which the zone is asked for.
Directive 2014/34/EU
Manufacturer must acquire Directive 2014/34/EU certification for equipments or protection systems, which are used in
an environment with potential explosive gas, and are manufactured or sold in the EU. Directive range includes safety
equipment, control equipment, adjustment device and equipment and protection system that are expected to contain
potential explosive gas.
This directive is suitable on product manufacturing conditions and belongs to product`s technical field responsibility.
The aim is to let products using in a probable explosive environment (dust explosion, gas explosion) can circulate
freely within the EU members under a certain technical and legal requirement. This directive includes equipments used
in potential dust explosion(example: motor in an environment full of saw dust) or gas explosion(example: gas station)
environment.
Manufacturer have the responsibility to produce products that meet the safety regulation, and to make sure that the
product meets the basic sanitary and safety requirement defined by ATEX 2014/34/EU appendix II. Letting these
products can be applied in an environment of potential explosion without problem. Manufacturer must follow
appropriate conformity assessment procedure to check the safety of the product one by one. Most of the conformity
procedure must execute under the surveillance of designated authorities authorized by the EU.
ATEX 2014/34/EU not only demand that related products must acquire qualification certificate issued by EU
designated authorities, but also regulate a demand of quality assurance (QA). Equipment manufacturer must construct a
quality management system to ensure a tested and qualified model can be mass produced under an effective quality