The warehouse survey identified the areas under the roof that required AIB removal, with the working area and storage zone split into cells; the client decided that four of these would fall under the project area. ATEX stands for “ATmosphères EXplosibles,” a European directive that sets the standards for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

ATEX Zone is a classification system that identifies areas with a risk of explosion due to flammable gases, vapours, dusts, or powders. In this instance, ATEX Zone 2 vapours are associated with the high alcohol content of the whisky storage. The ATEX Directive classifies equipment that can be used safely within these zones. SEAS had to resource intrinsically safe plant & equipment to mitigate the risks associated with an ATEX environment. Ongoing controls, including gas monitoring, air management processes, permitted systems, and intrinsically safe equipment, were the baseline for a safe system of work. Compliance with ATEX standards ensures that the equipment meets specific safety requirements, reducing the risk of ignition and explosion in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Employers must classify areas where hazardous explosive atmospheres may occur into zones. The classification assigned to a particular zone, as well as its size and location, depends on the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere occurring and its persistence if it does.