Standards
ATEX: the European framework for explosive atmospheres
ATEX is the European framework covering explosive atmospheres. It addresses the same physical hazards as the North American system through a different structure — zones rather than divisions, equipment categories, and a marking scheme that encodes the equipment's intended application. Certification under one scheme is not certification under the other.
- Two directives: one for equipment, one for workplaces
- Zones describe likelihood, with a separate set for dust and gas
- Equipment categories and protection levels map to zones
- Not interchangeable with North American certification
Two directives, two responsibilities
ATEX comprises two instruments. One governs equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, and applies to manufacturers placing products on the market. The other governs workplaces, and applies to employers operating sites where explosive atmospheres may occur.
The split matters because it separates the manufacturer's obligation to certify equipment from the operator's obligation to classify areas, assess risk and select appropriate equipment. Both exist; they are not the same duty.
Zones rather than divisions
ATEX classifies by zone according to how likely an explosive atmosphere is to be present and for how long. Dust and gas have separate zone sets — dust zones are numbered 20, 21 and 22, and gas zones 0, 1 and 2, running from most to least likely in each case.
The North American Division system compresses a similar continuum into two steps rather than three, which is one reason mapping between the schemes is approximate rather than exact. A three-level and a two-level system do not align term for term.
Categories, protection levels and marking
Equipment is assigned a category reflecting the level of protection it provides, which determines the zones it may be used in. Equipment Protection Levels express the same idea in a form aligned with international practice, distinguishing dust and gas applications.
ATEX marking encodes this compactly: the equipment group, the category, whether it is intended for gas or dust atmospheres, the protection concept, the gas or dust group and the temperature classification. Reading the marking tells you what the equipment is for — which is the point of a standardised format.
Why the schemes are not interchangeable
The frameworks address the same physics but differ in classification structure, testing regime, certification body arrangements and marking. Equipment certified under one has not been assessed under the other, and treating a certificate from one scheme as evidence of compliance with the other is a substantive error rather than a technicality.
PrestiVac does not claim ATEX or IECEx approval. Our certification is North American: UL 1203, listed by CSA. Where equipment is required under one of those schemes, ask for the documentation applicable to your jurisdiction rather than treating a North American listing as equivalent.
What this means when you specify recovery equipment
PrestiVac manufactures industrial vacuums. We do not manufacture dust collectors, and housekeeping equipment is one element of a dust safety programme rather than the whole of it.
Our listing is CSA Certificate 70122393. The EX1 HEPA line is covered for Class I, Gp. D; Class II, Gps. E, F and G; Temp. Code T3C; the EV EX HEPA line for Cl. II, Div. 2, Gps. F and G only. Certified equipment does not by itself make a facility compliant with any standard or regulation.
PrestiVac does not claim ATEX or IECEx approval. Our certification is North American: UL 1203, listed by CSA. Where equipment is required under one of those schemes, ask for the documentation applicable to your jurisdiction rather than treating a North American listing as equivalent.
Area classification is determined by your own engineering assessment and the authority having jurisdiction. This page explains the framework; it is not a classification of your facility, and it does not replace the applicable code or your Dust Hazard Analysis.
Frequently asked questions
- Are PrestiVac vacuums ATEX certified?
- No. We do not claim ATEX or IECEx approval. Our certification is North American — UL 1203, listed by CSA, covering Class I Divisions 1 & 2 Group D and Class II Divisions 1 & 2 Groups E, F & G at Temperature Code T3C.
- How do ATEX zones map to Divisions?
- Approximately rather than exactly. ATEX uses three zones per atmosphere type where the North American system uses two divisions, so the mapping is a matter of judgement rather than a lookup table.
- What do the dust zone numbers mean?
- Dust zones are 20, 21 and 22, running from an atmosphere present continuously or for long periods, through occasionally in normal operation, to unlikely and short-lived if it occurs at all.
Talk to the manufacturer
Get the right explosion proof vacuum for your application.
Tell us what you need to vacuum and where. Our technical team will recommend the PrestiVac model best suited to your material, your classification and how hard you will work it — and because we build every unit ourselves, we can modify it to fit.
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