Risk Analysis

July 1, 2003, was the deadline defined in ATEX Directive 94/9/EC when all equipment and protective systems must meet the requirements of this equipment directive (also called ATEX 95 Directive).

ATEX for non-electrical equipment
One of the ATEX changes was the inclusion of non-electrical equipment. European standards for ignition protection classes for non-electrical equipment:

EN 13463-1 to EN 13463-8 currently pp
“fr” protection by flow restricting enclosure
“d” flameproof enclosure
“g” inherent safety
“c” protection by constructional safety
“b” protection by control of ignition sources
“p” pressurization
“k” liquid immersion

Up until ATEX 95, non-electrical equipment was not seen as “equipment requiring audits and verification.” Assessment of explosion risks in work areas required by ATEX 95 may now make it necessary to retrofit or upgrade non-electrical equipment listed in the explosion protection document according to ATEX 137.

The measures listed in the explosion protection document for implementation, e.g. also valid for retrofits, are defined in Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX 137) for EU countries, which is binding no later than on June 30, 2006. In Germany, this
deadline has been set by lawmakers to December 31, 2005.