ATEX 137 & DSEAR Compliance Services for Hazardous Areas

Published 13 Mar 2020

Thorne & Derrick and SGS Baseefa hazardous area specialists

Hazardous area and explosive atmosphere experts

Article republished with kind permission from SGS Baseefa | Part 5 of 5
Uploaded by Natalie Lundie | Supply Chain Marketing Lead at Thorne & Derrick International

ATEX 137 and DSEAR Compliance Services

Protecting employees, equipment and facilities from fire and explosion risks in hazardous areas.

Employers who work with dangerous substances must take steps to protect people and property from fire and explosion risks. Suitable equipment, correct installation and effective inspection procedures all play an important role in hazardous area safety.

Thorne & Derrick works with specialists in equipment for explosive atmospheres. With permission from SGS Baseefa, we have published a five-part series on hazardous area safety and certification.

Explore our range of ATEX-certified equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres and learn how independent expertise can support compliance with relevant requirements.

Part 5: ATEX and DSEAR Installation Compliance

SGS Baseefa provides installation compliance services to help equipment installers and users address fire and explosion risks. These services complement its ATEX and IECEx equipment certification work.

The UK’s Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) set requirements for protecting workers from risks associated with dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres in the workplace.

DSEAR: Legal Duties and Relevant Standards

DSEAR came into force in the UK on 30 June 2003. It places duties on employers and the self-employed to manage risks arising from dangerous substances. Similar legislation exists in many other countries, although local requirements may differ.

Hazardous area assessment, equipment selection, installation and inspection all help organisations manage these risks. The following IEC 60079 standards are relevant to key aspects of this work:

IEC 60079-10-1: Area classification for gases and vapours.
IEC 60079-10-2: Area classification for combustible dusts.
IEC 60079-14: Electrical equipment selection and installation in hazardous areas.
IEC 60079-17: Inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in hazardous areas.

ATEX and IECEx certification for equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres

ATEX and IECEx certification support the assessment of equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Important: Equipment certification alone does not establish that an entire hazardous area installation complies with all applicable requirements. Site classification, equipment suitability, installation quality and inspection also matter.

What Do ATEX and DSEAR Compliance Services Include?

Experienced hazardous area specialists can help businesses understand their obligations, assess potential risks and plan appropriate compliance activities. SGS Baseefa’s services described in the original article include:

Hazardous area health checks: Review arrangements and identify potential areas for improvement.
User risk assessments: Assess risks associated with the use of equipment and dangerous substances.
Hazardous area classification: Assess areas in accordance with relevant standards and industry codes.
Project planning and management: Support the implementation of compliance activities.
Plant and operational hazard analysis: Examine hazards associated with plant and operating processes.
Management system audits and plant inspections: Review relevant systems and installation conditions.

How Can Compliance Services Support Your Business?

A structured approach to hazardous area compliance can help businesses identify risks, review existing installations and plan corrective actions where necessary. Specialist advice can also help organisations understand how applicable standards and local regulations affect their sites.

For guidance on hazardous area equipment, explore our range of ATEX equipment or contact Thorne & Derrick to discuss your application and equipment requirements.

About SGS Baseefa

SGS Baseefa hazardous area testing and certification

SGS Baseefa is a specialist in equipment certification for potentially explosive atmospheres. Its work includes testing and certification, alongside technical expertise relating to hazardous area standards.

The organisation is based in Buxton, Derbyshire. The original article describes its long history of research into explosions in hazardous atmospheres and its involvement in the development of UK, European and international standards.

For current certification services, accreditation details and regulatory information, consult the relevant SGS website.

Thorne & Derrick: Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres

Thorne & Derrick supplies electrical, HVAC and process instrumentation equipment for hazardous areas. We help customers identify suitable solutions for new projects and the replacement of obsolete or legacy equipment.

Our product range supports applications where hazardous area suitability and the relevant ATEX or IECEx requirements must be considered. Always check the certification and specifications of the individual product against the intended installation.