Sounders, Beacons & Hazardous Area Signalling

Eaton MEDC & FHF | Explosion-protected and hazardous area
sounders and beacons with ATEX and IECEx-certified options

Audible, Visual & Combined Hazardous Area Signalling

Thorne & Derrick supplies audible, visual and combined hazardous area signalling equipment for use in potentially explosive and harsh industrial environments.

The range includes alarm sounders, visual warning beacons, combined sounder-beacon units, multi-colour status lights and hazardous area loudspeakers. These devices support warning, evacuation, process-status and public-address applications across onshore, offshore, marine and industrial installations.

Browse the dedicated range of ATEX beacons for hazardous area visual signalling, or select audible, combined and communication equipment using the categories below.

Selecting Hazardous Area Signalling Equipment

Hazardous area sounders provide audible alarms, warnings and instructions through electronic tones, horns or signalling bells. Selection should take account of the ambient noise, required coverage, tone frequency, sound-pressure level and use of hearing protection.

ATEX beacons provide visual warning or equipment-status indication through steady, flashing, strobe or rotating signals. Available technologies include LED and xenon light sources, with len colours and operating patterns selected according to the site alarm philosophy.

Combination units provide audible and visual warning from one coordinated assembly. Hazardous area loudspeakers may be required where spoken instructions, evacuation messages or public-address communication must be transmitted.

Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21 & Zone 22 Equipment

Zone 1 and Zone 2 classifications relate to explosive atmospheres caused by flammable gases, vapours or mists. Zone 21 and Zone 22 classifications relate to combustible-dust atmospheres.

Equipment should not be assumed suitable simply because a product description refers to a particular zone. The complete certification marking, gas or dust group, temperature classification and permitted ambient-temperature range must be checked against the installation
specification.

Read the complete hazardous area zones and explosive atmosphere classification guide.

ATEX, UKEX & IECEx Certification

ATEX, UKEX and IECEx relate to different conformity or certification frameworks for equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The approval required depends on the installation location, project specification and applicable requirements.

The term “explosion proof” is frequently used as a broad description, but hazardous area signalling equipment can use several certified protection concepts. Product marking and certification should always be checked rather than relying on a general product description.

Read more about: ATEX and IECEx certification of hazardous area equipment.

Selecting ATEX Sounders & Beacons

Key selection information includes:

• The required audible, visual, combined or voice warning
• Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21 or Zone 22 classification
• Gas, vapour, mist or combustible-dust atmosphere
• Required gas or dust group and protection concept
• Temperature classification and ambient temperature
• Sound output, tones, light source and signal pattern
• Operating voltage and control arrangement
• Ingress protection, corrosion and environmental exposure
• Required ATEX, UKEX, IECEx or international approvals

Signalling equipment is commonly used across oil and gas, offshore, petrochemical, chemical, pharmaceutical, power generation, water treatment and combustible-dust processing applications. Devices may operate independently or form part of a wider gas detection and alarm system.