Overview
ATEX Industrial Ovens
Airflow provides advice, design and manufacture of our full range of industrial ovens in ATEX format. Control panels can be oven mounted in ATEX enclosures or remotely sited in safe locations. Heating by hot water, steam or ATEX rated electric heater banks are common options. We are leaders in many industrial applications for the installation of ATEX Ovens.
All Airflow products are backed by a comprehensive 12 Month Warranty. After sales service and customer support is key to our business success. With our own trained engineers and qualified electrical engineers covering the whole of the UK the continued optimum performance of your oven is assured. European customers benefit from our dedicated export support team.
We have system design and installation experience with over 30 years know-how from our internal design and manufacturing teams; we have an unrivalled knowledge of these product groups and their application within the UK and Europe via our vibrant export market. Our expertise within these areas allows for our products to be manufactured and installed to the highest standards being ATEX and ISO systems accredited.
Why choose a ATEX Industrial Oven
Internationally recognised as the leading manufacturer of ATEX ovens
Unique high efficiency thermal design minimises energy usage
Superior production results due to very uniform temperature distribution
Unique high volume low pressure hot air circulation system
Powerful 'twin fan' air circulation on all larger ovens
Airflow ovens are specified by the world’s leading companies
Galvanised steel, alu-dip or stainless steel construction
Designed for rapid heating of a wide variety of products & assemblies
Heating composites, ceramics, resins, petrochemicals, metals, plastics & more
Pre-assembled, test run, data logged and certified before despatch
What Is ATEX?
The ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles) directive is a harmonised European directive which deals with equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The directive is formed primarily of two directives, the first one which is 99/92/EC, also known as ATEX137 or the ATEX Workplace Directive. This directive primarily aims to improve the health and safety protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. More commonly referred to as the "use" directive, it is a directive which details that employers must classify hazardous areas where explosive atmospheres may occur. The classification given to a particular zone, and its size and location, depends on the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere occurring and its level of persistence when it does.
The second directive which is 94/9/EC is also known as ATEX95 or the Equipment Directive. This directive deals with the equipment and protective systems which are intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
It is this directive which is important to Airflow when providing compliant systems to our clients as all equipment supplied must comply with 94/9/EC. Even though 94/9/EC is still in force, it has recently changed and has been replaced with a new directive, 2014/34/EU and from 19th April 2016 this directive will replace 94/9/EC.
ATEX Area Classifications / Zoning Definitions
It is of upmost importance that any possible hazardous or potentially explosive atmosphere is identified correctly. In great Britain, the requirements of the "Use" directive, 99/92/EC were put into effect through the dangerous Substances And Explosive Atmospheres regulations (dSEAr).
The requirements in DSEAR apply to most workplaces where potentially explosive atmospheres may occur. Some industry sectors are excluded as they are generally covered by other pieces of legislation.
DSEAR requires that employers eliminate or control the risks from dangerous substances and this is usually done by carrying out detailed and comprehensive risk assessments of all aspects of the working area, processes, materials, methods etc.
When a potentially explosive atmosphere is assessed the hazard could be comprised of flammable gasses/vapours, dusts or a combination of both. With reference to the descriptions shown below it can be seen that the definition of any particular zone is based on the frequency of exposure to the hazardous material.
EQUIPMENT GROUPS
Hazardous areas can usually be classified into three groups, I, II and III.
Group I - is typically reserved for underground applications such as mines.
Group II - is the most common group and deals with most surface applications.
Group III - is related to electrical equipment intended for used in places with an explosive dust atmosphere other than mines.
ZONE CLASSIFICATIONS FOR GASES, VAPOURS & MISTS
Zone 0 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
Zone 1 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
Zone 2 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
For hazardous areas involving dusts then the above classifications are prefixed with a "2", so zone 1 for dusts becomes zone 21, as below:-
Zone 20 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is present continuously, or for long periods or frequently.
Zone 21 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form of a cloud of combustible dust in air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
Zone 21 - A place in which an explosive atmosphere in the form or a cloud of combustible dust in air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
ATEX Capabilities
Airflow as a company has vast experience of providing industrial heating solutions into ATEX determined areas.
We are the leading manufacturer of industrial ovens in a number of fields and the engineering expertise that Airflow has relating to the difficulties sometimes posed by ATEX applications is second to none.
ATEX Industrial Applications
As the leading supplier of ATEX compliant heating systems and ovens, our products are used in many industries which both want and need the best possible capital plant with which to build their businesses and support growth.
Airflow excel at design, customer support and partnership and has provided ovens into many ATEX applications including:
This is not an exhaustive list and Airflow can and will design around your bespoke needs and applications.
Many industries have challenges to overcome, many are unsure about the need for ATEX compliance and others have much experience of safe management of potentially hazardous areas, whichever type of organisation you belong to, Airflow can help as we are without doubt the number one in the field..
Powder Drying and consolidation
Raw material/bulk heating
Aerospace Components Processing
Lubricants Processing Plants
Spraying/Painting Plants (Wet & Powder)