ATEX

At L+M AG, extraction and filter systems are designed to comply with ATEX. ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles) are European directives and regulate the use of systems in the industrial sector with combustible dusts, gases or vapors for the purpose of fire and explosion protection.

COMBUSTIBLE DUSTS

In many industrial processes, combustible dusts, gases or vapors are produced during processing and machining. As soon as these are collected by an extraction or dedusting system, fine dusts in particular can ignite in high concentrations and cause an explosion. Examples are metal, plastic, wood or food dusts.

ATEX GUIDELINES

The relevant directives are divided into

ATEX Product Directive (2014/34/EU):
It regulates the requirements for equipment and protective systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres.
ATEX Operating Directive (1999/92/EC):
It defines the obligations of operators, e.g. for zone classification and risk assessment.

These directives contain the basic health and safety requirements that must be observed by the manufacturer and verified by the operator through appropriate conformity assessment procedures.

The operating rooms must be divided into zones according to the probability and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere according to the following system:

Classification into an appliance category in accordance with ATEX Directive 20114/34/EU

Impressions of a dust explosion

EXTRACTION AND FILTER SYSTEMS ACCORDING TO ATEX-COMPLIANT DESIGN

Is there a potentially explosive atmosphere?

A dust analysis of the handling and processing of a material, the applicable ATEX zones and the spatial conditions provide information on the use of the right extraction and filter system.

We at L+M AG extraction systems will find the optimum solution for your business. Safe, efficient and individually tailored to your requirements.

Extraction system according to ATEX-compliant design

In many practical cases, it is not possible or not practicable for various reasons to design all system components so solidly that they can withstand the maximum explosion pressure of up to 10 bar – with or without deformation.

In order to prevent the system components from rupturing in the event of an explosion, additional design measures must be taken to limit the maximum explosion pressure to the maximum reduced explosion pressure tolerated by the system. Such measures are explosion suppression or explosion pressure relief.

EXPLOSION SUPPRESSION

Explosion suppression is a process in which the combustion of an explosive atmosphere in a closed or essentially closed volume is detected and interrupted in the initial phase by adding a suitable extinguishing agent, e.g. extinguishing powder, in order to prevent a dangerous build-up of pressure.

EXPLOSION VENTING

Explosion venting is intended to prevent the build-up of impermissibly high explosion pressure inside containers, e.g. in an extraction system, by releasing defined openings in good time.

Rupture disks

For example, L+M AG uses bursting discs to relieve pressure in extraction and filter systems
Bursting discs are safety devices with defined predetermined breaking points that react to corresponding pressure and are used to relieve pressure.

Flameless explosion venting

Flameless explosion venting offers you the safest and most economical solution in production interiors and enables explosion venting in enclosed spaces without the spread of flames and dust.

Non-return flap

The non-return flap effectively blocks dust explosions in upstream and downstream system components (filter systems, cyclone separators, etc.).
It is used in the inlet and outlet of a filter system to protect adjacent parts of the system from an explosion. In the event of an explosion, the flap closes, remains locked and prevents the passage of flames