What is an ATEX zone?
An ATEX zone is a space of a machine/plant or working area where there is a potential explosive atmosphere. The ATEX directive 2014/34/EU evaluates these zones as follows:
In particular, TAMA AERNOVA is capable to manufacture products suitable for installation in ATEX zones 22 and products that process directly dusts which can generate a potential explosive atmosphere.
Which are the most important characteristics to consider in dusts evaluation?
Each evaluation of the dust explosive risk has to base on the nature of the processed dust. This is because every dust has different innate characteristics that give them the explosiveness, regardless how they are processed. Among these characteristics, particles dimension is the one that affect the most this phenomenon and the reactivity of the sample. It is impossible to distinguish definitely explosive dusts and not explosive dusts according to them particles size. However, it is believed that particles with diameter greater than 500 μm have a low explosion tendency: this value is often assumed as limit beyond which a dust can’t explode. A decrease of the particles diameter entails an increase of the reactivity, a growth of the maximum pressure Pmax (Bar) and the growth of the pressure maximum speed Kst (Bar* m/s).
In particular, the Kst parameter is very important because it represents a constant that allows to categorise the explosion force in four risk classes:
Range | Class | Explosiveness |
Kst = 0 | St0 | Weak explosion |
0 < Kst < 200 | St1 | Moderate explosion |
200 < Kst < 300 | St2 | Impetuous explosion |
Kst > 300 | St3 | Dangerous explosion |
It is good to remember that the Kst constant value depend on the following factors:
For the calculation of the risk it is fundamental to also consider the minimum ignition energy (MIE) of the dust cloud; in particular:
Our certification:
II 3 D Ex h IIIC T200°C Dc -10°C‹T‹40°C
How do we equip our ATEX products?
When it is impossible to exclude an explosion, in addition to protect the filter with venting systems, it is necessary to avoid the explosion spread. It must be prevented that the explosion turns back, in the opposite direction, to the distance that connects the filter to the factory, risking that the venting involves the workers. In order to do this, it is necessary to use compartmental components such as non-return valve and rotary valve. Only in this way it is sure that the explosion venting will happen in an exact and marked zone, without obstacles or employees, in complete safety and under control.
Warning: the compartmentalization is a basic element of the ATEX directive. A plant without compartmental components can’t be considered suitable.
The missed compartmentalization of the system may result in secondary explosions that, in most cases, are the most dangerous both for people and for the machineries since they happen in non-delimited places.

1. Explosionproof panels
The explosionproof panels are installed in a specific part, usually between the hopper and the filter body/unit or in some cases on the top. These panels preserve the pressure increase generated by the explosion within the structural limits of the filter. In case of explosion, the panels open to vent part of it (fume and flame) to a marked and signalled safety zone.
2. Compartmental rotary valve
The ATEX rotary valve represents a compartmental component of the plant, because it prevents that the explosion spreads in the dusts discharge area, protecting the integrity of the nearby machineries or directly connected to the filtration system and the personal safety.
3. Compartmental non-return valve
Like the rotary valve, the ATEX non-return valve has the task to compart the explosion, avoiding its spreading before the filtering system, protecting the integrity of the nearby machineries or directly connected to the filtration system and the personal safety.
OTHER COMPONENTS
Fan
The ATEX fan must have a certification suitable for the installation zone. The certification guarantees that the component does not represent an ignition cause for the explosion.
NFPA COMPLIANCE
NFPA AND NFPA STANDARDS
The National Fire Protection Association – NFPA is an organization created with the aim of protecting people, property, and the environment from fires. For this purpose, hundreds of NFPA standards have been defined, referring to different fields of application, which have become a point of reference at an international level.
Meeting NFPA standards has become a necessary requirement to be able to sell and install our types of products as well, especially overseas in the USA, Canada, Mexico and increasingly in more Latin American countries.
Tama Aernova team of technicians and engineers continuously updates, studies and trains themselves to ensure that the proposed solutions promptly respond to the needs of the various markets.
Providing products that comply with these standards guarantees to the customer the correct commissioning of the system and the rapid receipt of the clearance from the AHJ (Authorities Having Jurisdiction).
Although local parameters and requirements are verified time after time in collaboration with the customer, Tama Aernova products mainly refer to the following standards:
- NFPA 68 – Standard on Explosion Protection by Deflagration Venting
- NFPA 69 – Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems
- NFPA 70 – NEC (National Electrical Code) with its state-level declinations
- NFPA 79 – Electrical standards for industrial machinery
- NFPA 484 - Standard for Combustible Metals: deals with fire prevention measures for combustible metal materials, which may be relevant in filtration contexts involving metal dust.
- NFPA 654 - Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids: applies to processes that generate combustible dust, including filtration systems.