Ordinary electrical equipment and sometimes even ATEX equipment can pose a risk
Exvira’s ATEX risk assessment for equipment is a good help when you need help assessing whether your current equipment is suitable for the potentially explosive area where it currently is. According to the ATEX equipment directive, ordinary electrical equipment must not be installed in a potentially explosive area, as it can ignite an explosive atmosphere and cause an explosion.
(Equipment Directive ATEX 2014/34/EU)
ATEX equipment is designed in a way that, when correctly selected and installed, it cannot act as a source of ignition. However, if incorrectly installed, incorrectly selected or broken, even ATEX equipment can pose a risk in a potentially explosive area.
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Typical situations where an ATEX risk assessment of equipment may be necessary
- Audit or inspection is approaching
- Area classifications are done but equipment is not risk assessed
- New equipment has been added over the years without an overall review
- Equipment list is incomplete or missing
- There is a suspicion that not everything is in order
- The operator has equipment that was put into operation before 2003. According to the requirements of the Electrical Safety Act, these can still be used in EX areas under certain conditions, and one of these conditions is that the equipment has been subject to a risk assessment. This is where we can help.
(VNa 576/2003 11§) (Electrical Safety Act 1135/2016 122§) (KTM Decree 1193/1999)
Our services
ATEX risk assessment for equipment
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This service is suitable for a situation where
- You don’t know if the equipment corresponds to the area classification
- Ordinary electrical equipment is used in the potentially explosive area
- There are risks in the premises, but there is no solution
- The ATEX equipment list is outdated or incomplete
- There are many devices and rooms, and the overall picture of the risks is not clear
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- We tour the facility’s potentially explosive areas
- We assess the safety of the equipment
- We make a list of the risks
- We prepare a proposal for safety measures
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Delivery time is by agreement, depending on the project can vary between 3-12 months
Express delivery as an additional service by agreement
Price
The work is done on an hourly basis because every project is different.
- Project scope: 20–100+ h
- Hourly rate 110 € / h
- Travel expenses in addition
For example
A small factory
- 20 hours
- 2200 € + travel expenses
A large factory
- 60 hours
- 6600 € + travel expenses
Why choose Exvira?
Does risk assessment of equipment seem impossible? For us, it’s not!
Large factories have large spaces that can contain a lot of equipment. Risk assessment for them may seem like an impossible task, but for us it is not. We know electrical equipment, area classifications, ATEX code and ATEX equipment, so we can help you tackle this challenge.
An independent view
We provide you with an impartial view on ATEX matters, as we do not sell equipment or operate an entire production facility. We use our experience to make a safe risk assessment that also works in practice for you.
Accurate risk assessment = money savings
When risk assessments are done accurately and professionally, the workplace is safe, and there is no need to buy ATEX equipment in places where it is not really needed. We have brought cost savings to many customers by helping them.
Customer experiences
"The collaboration has proven to be very effective"
“Suomen Sokeri Oy and Exvira have collaborated even before my time, and continuing the partnership has been natural and uncomplicated. The collaboration has proven to be very effective: an expert, clear and professional approach has made working together smooth and pleasant. We have received significant support from the collaboration and have been able to develop together.
”We have always been able to rely on Exvira's expert advisory service when we needed help.”
”Our cooperation with Exvira has continued throughout the 21st century, which says a great deal about the strength and effectiveness of our partnership. We have always been able to rely on Exvira's expert advisory service when we needed help.”
Jari Puustinen
Plant Manager, Berner
Frequently asked questions
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When located in a potentially explosive area:
- Electrical equipment
- Mechanical equipment: before the ATEX directives there were no requirements for mechanical equipment, but now there are. (ATEX 2014/34 /EU guidelines) (SFS-EN ISO 80079-36:2016)
- Old equipment: that was installed before 2003 (VNa 576/2003 11§) (Electrical Safety Act 1135/2016 122§) (KTM Decree 1193/1999)
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Depending on your needs, we can create a list of ATEX equipment. Or if you do not want a list of all equipment, we can make a list including only the equipment that create a risk
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No, we do not test or certify ATEX equipment.
You can contact a notified body for ATEX product certification, ATEX equipment testing, and ATEX certification process. If you are a product manufacturer who is seeking advice, we can share our expertise and advice about ATEX equipment code. You may be interested in ATEX training, which we can tailor for equipment manufacturers.
