Non-sparking Hand Tools (ATEX)

In the field of EXplosive ATmospheres, protection consists of eliminating any element that triggers an explosion in the Classified Zone and the aim of equipment intended to operate in a potentially explosive environment is therefore to protect the environment from accidental triggering rather than protect the operator in the first place (he is protected by the fact that the environment in which he works is protected).

Thus, the ATEX Employers Directive is articulated with the ATEX Equipment Directive which requires that Equipment used in explosive atmospheres be of the Category corresponding to the Classified Zone in which the employee works.

Or failing that, that the equipment used in these Classified Areas has been assessed AND validated by the Employer as not having an active ignition source likely to be able to ignite an ATEX if necessary.

The Equipment must therefore have an "Ex" Certification of Conformity which is enforceable in the event of an incident or accident.

However, the Certification of Conformity which determines the affixing of the logo "Epsilon x in a hexagon" is only applicable for products which are normally explosion triggers by themselves (electrical or mechanical component whose operation can generate sparks for example, by itself) which is not the case with hand tools which are normally inert… So no “Epsilon x” logo even after a proper risk assessment.

However, the User responsible for the use of this hand tool must, according to his ATEX Responsibility, be certain that this tool has been evaluated for safe use by an expert in the ATEX subject.

Thus, CENTREXPERT has evaluated that the Beryllium Bronze hand tools that it distributes meet the criteria of non-sparking in normal use, which authorizes the affixing of the CENTREXPERT ATEX evaluation logo for this type of component, allowing a safe to use without ambiguity.

For any request, please contact us at +33 (0) 6 35 16 37 81