The ATEX guideline 2014/34/EU regulates the requirements for valves that are used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It ensures that these devices are not a source of ignition and therefore guarantee safe operation in critical environments. Companies operating in such areas must only use ATEX-compliant valves in order to comply with safety regulations and avoid interruptions to operations.
ATEX divides potentially explosive atmospheres into different zones in order to categorize the risk and frequency of explosive atmospheres. For example, for gases, zone 0 describes an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods of time. Zone 1, on the other hand, describes an area in which an explosive atmosphere may occasionally occur under normal operating conditions. Zone 2 comprises areas in which an explosive atmosphere occurs only rarely and usually only for a short time.