Which ATEX zones are distinguished and what do they mean?

ATEX refers to danger zones.

The ambient atmosphere and the prevailing conditions at the workplace are decisive for the installation methods of the equipment to be used and the choice of the work equipment to be used. It is therefore a prerequisite that a danger zone classification is carried out of the areas that could be dangerous from the point of view of gas and dust explosion danger.

These potentially hazardous areas are divided into danger zones according to the frequency and duration of occurrence of an explosive atmosphere:

• Zone 0, 1 and 2: in the event of a gas explosion (a mixture of flammable gas, vapour or mist with air).
• Zone 20, 21 and 22: at the risk of a dust explosion (a cloud of combustible dust).

The lowest number indicates the most dangerous zone. The higher the classification of a danger zone, the more demanding are the requirements for the design of the working environment and for the application and use of equipment and protective systems. For more information on ATEX, click here.