ATEX Inspection - Let an expert look at your installations in explosive areas

The damages to both people and facilities are always serious after an explosion. Therefore, the overall explosion safety of facilities must be checked at workplaces with areas where explosive atmospheres may occur.

The requirements for checking facilities come from the ATEX directive 1999/92/EC, which e.g. requires the use of Ex-marked equipment and safety systems, and is subject to stricter inspection requirements.

The requirements for conducting ATEX inspections are relevant for all facilities and installations in explosive atmospheres. This can, for example, include facilities for handling dust from wood pellets and wood chips, as well as flammable liquids and gases from natural and biogas, or hydrogen from the new Power-to-X (PtX) facilities.

Thus, there is a requirement for an initial inspection of installations before the facilities are put into operation. Furthermore, after commissioning, periodic inspections must be carried out to ensure that all conditions necessary to maintain explosion protection are upheld.

By using the correct Ex-marked equipment and simultaneously ensuring that it is checked and maintained regularly, the risk of explosions is minimized. This enhances the safety for both users and facilities, avoiding costly downtime and subsequent production losses.

In the video below, you can learn about ATEX inspection at Amagerværket.

Danish Technological Institute can help carry out the inspections

ATEX inspections must be carried out by qualified individuals with extensive expertise in the field of explosion protection.

The Danish Technological Institute possesses the necessary competencies and the latest knowledge in the ATEX field to perform inspections and assess installations. Therefore, we can also help clarify any discussions between suppliers and end-users regarding the legal compliance of the installations.

Our competencies have been built up through many years of experience, including our work in conducting type testing of Ex equipment for DANCERT, the Danish Technological Institute (NB No. 1073), participation in standardization work, and many practical task solutions since the introduction of the ATEX directive in 2003.

At the Danish Technological Institute, we have extensive experience in inspecting machinery and process plants both domestically and internationally.

We offer to carry out several different types of inspections - for example:

• Inspection before commissioning according to the provisions of the ATEX directive 1999/92/EF 
• The installer's/manufacturer's initial inspection according to DS/EN 60079-14, which must be carried out before the commissioning of the plant 
• Pre-inspection of the plants for the manufacturer or end-user before the initial inspection – e.g. to ensure that there are no delays due to unforeseen faults and deficiencies 
• End-user inspections, which according to EN 60079-17 must be carried out throughout the plant's lifetime 
• In addition, we carry out other forms of inspections, investigations, etc. in connection with accidents, fire, and explosion

Legal basis:

In the ATEX directive 1999/92/EF, annex II, section 2.8, there is a requirement that before workplaces with areas where explosive atmospheres may occur are put into use for the first time, the overall explosion safety of the facility must be checked.

Furthermore, electrical installations in Denmark are subject to inspection requirements, and according to the regulations of the Danish Safety Technology Authority, inspections of electrical installations must be carried out in accordance with the following standards:

• DS/EN 60079-14 Explosive atmospheres: Design, selection, and erection of electrical installations 
• DS/EN 60079-17 Explosive atmospheres: Inspection and maintenance of electrical installations 

There are no equivalent standards for the inspection of non-electrical equipment, but the Danish Technological Institute applies the principles from the above-mentioned standards to also assess non-electrical equipment.

What our customers say

Danish Technological Institute is to be commended for its high level of expertise, flexibility, patience and friendliness in relation to sparring about the observations in the report and proposals for solutions. They have complied with all agreements and schedules and have been professional and proactive in relation to the exchange of documentation and information about time consumption and finances. The specialists have been welcoming, pleasant and very trusting to work with.