Thorne & Derrick - Hazardous Area Ventilation | Some Factors in Fan Selection

Posted on 21 February 2023

ATEX Fans | Zone 1 Hazardous Area Portable Fan ATEX, IECEx & UKEx Approved

Hazardous Area Portable Ventilation Fan

How To Select A Compliant Fan for Explosive Atmospheres

Potentially explosive atmospheres characterised by the presence of flammable gases or vapours present serious occupational health and safety risks to workers in these type of industries including oil, gas and petrochemical sectors.

Collectively, these are commonly referred to as “hazardous area” industries.

Safety of workers in hazardous area workplaces is paramount and air is essential to their life. Therefore safe and reliable ventilation systems must be in place to ensure air quality is maintained using correctly certified and approved ventilation fans – naturally airflow power is an essential performance indicator when determining the purchasing process for fans.

Where flammable gases are present the independently dual certified ATEX/IECEX/UKEx portable ventilation fan for both Electrical & Non-Electrical Standards such as the Exstream 300 & Exstream 400 by Woodcock & Wilson is imperative. The main hazards to monitor for are methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide, all of which need to be vented to produce a safe environment.

For instance, carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas without taste or smell and detection of CO gas is vital – this toxic gas can kill people in less than 5 minutes if exposed to concentrated levels. Colourless, tasteless and odourless this silent killer gas requires ventilation systems to protect people against CO. Secondly, the fans should have ATEX and or IECEx certification.

Independently tri certified IECEx, ATEX & UKEx portable ventilation fans are certified to both Electrical & Non-Electrical standards for safe ventilation of hazardous area workplaces and potentially explosive atmospheres – providing a world wide safety solution.

The Exstream by Woodcock & Wilson is the worlds only portable ventilation fan that is truly ATEX, IECEx & UKEx certified to both electrical and non-electrical standards.

Exstream fan

There are numerous application fans forming part of hazardous are ventilation systems claiming to be ATEX & IECEx certified to both electrical and non-electrical standards – however they do not meet the non-electrical standards meaning they could cause a Health & Safety risk to end users plants assets and personnel.

Compliance is crucial and fans that don’t conform that are located in potentially explosive atmospheres can now be upgraded to ensure they meet the correct regulations for both ATEX and IECEx classifications.

➡ Remember – “Self-certification” is strictly not allowed.

In recently years it has become apparent that mechanical equipment manufacturers have a lack of understanding of the IECEx non-electrical requirements. Ignorance within the industry is allowing mechanical equipment to be put on to the market on the back of an IECEx electrical Certificate of Conformity only.

Non-electrical equipment must carry an IECEx Certificate of Conformity that specifically references EN ISO 80079-36 and EN ISO 80079-37.

ExStream Fans

Over recent years there has been a shift towards ventilation on demand (VOD) systems this allows the airflow to be high in targeted areas effectively ventilating the parts that need it instead of the full workspace. Sensors are able to work by detecting specifically where the people and machines are situated and therefore only directing airflow to these locations. The system is more expensive to run and maintain but a effective worthwhile solution.

The above can be attained by using a portable ventilation fan like the Exstream 300 & Exstream 400 by Woodcock & Wilson providing a worldwide safety solution for hazardous area ventilation to a new generation. Compact and robust in design the Exstream range offers an effective option for confined space ventilation for hazardous areas meeting all the users specific needs.

There is no compromise when it comes to safety and quality of the portable ventilation fans. Durable yet lightweight the hazardous area fans can easily be moved and set up in different working environments. Safety features minimise the chance of an accident occurring and are ideal for use by miners, offshore workers, utility operatives, shipbuilders, refurb teams and chemical maintenance crews working in explosive atmosphere environments where there are toxic or flammable substances present.

EXPERTS IN EQUIPMENT FOR EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES

leaders in ATEX Innovation To The Hazardous Area Industries

Thorne & Derrick are leaders in the development and distribution of Product Innovations that deliver significant improvements to clients plant, people and operational safety in the explosive atmosphere industries.

Your proactive problem solvers experienced in succession planning for the replacement of obsolete, non-conformant and legacy equipment in hazardous areas.

Your first-choice provider of innovative and competitive solutions to ensure ATEX & IECEx Compliance for Hazardous Area Electrical, HVAC & Process Instrumentation Equipment to UK and international projects.