Explosion protected trucks

Industries at risk 
A wide range of industries are at risk from flammable gas, vapours, powders and dusts; petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, gas cylinder and aerosol filling and storage, manufacture and storage of solvents, paints, adhesives, explosives, varnishes, alcohols, perfumes, cosmetics, foods, flavours, etc. This type of companies should all be aware that there is a risk of an explosive atmosphere being generated during a normal working day.

Diesel and electric industrial vehicles are required to work in these areas but are a potential source of ignition. For example, from arcing and sparking components, hot surfaces, ingestion of a gas into the diesel engine causing over speed or release of sparks and flame from the inlet or exhaust system. The sources of ignition may be eliminated by effective Explosion protection. The consequences of ignition may be disastrous, resulting in loss of life and the destruction of a site. This means that employers have a number of obligations based on an assessment of the risks involved.

ATEX – a user's obligation
ATEX is a term used to describe two European Directives concerning this industry - taken from the French "ATmospheres EXplosives". One ATEX Directive concerns the truck user (ATEX 1999/92/EC Directive) and the other concerns the supplier (ATEX 94/9/EC).

Due to the potential dangers, European Law, ATEX 1999/92/EC also known as ATEX 137, sets out the minimum requirements for the safety and Health Protection of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. This means that employers have a number of obligations and in order to comply with them the truck user needs to carry out a risk assessment and classify hazardous areas into Zones.

Zones
Working areas at risk are classified into zones. For hazards associated with gas or vapours, Zone 0 is used to classify a place where an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods. Zone 1, for a place where an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally and Zone 2 where it is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only. For hazards associated with powders or dust particles, areas are categorised as Zone 20, 21 and 22 by similar definitions.

ATEX 1999/92/EC stipulates that all products intended for use within these areas must meet the requirements of the ATEX 94/9/EC Directive, also known as ATEX 100a or 95. This Directive categorises equipment according to the level of protection. The user must specify ATEX 94/9/EC compliant equipment if it is to be used within Zoned hazardous areas. This includes forklift trucks but also relates to lighting, switches, process equipment etc.

BT is cooperating with the company Pyroban and can therefore offer explosion protection systems on almost all diesel and electric vehicles ensuring that the truck is compliant with ATEX 94/9/EC for zone 1, 2, 21 and 22 areas. BT also has a network of specialist engineers trained on the Pyroban system to offer full support.