Explosion Protection Services

Minimizing explosion risks through testing, assessment, and certification

Assessing equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres
Do you manufacture equipment, components or protective systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres? And are you in need of testing and certification? Look no further – at DEKRA, we are here to help you minimize the risks.

As a European Notified Body we test, assess and certify according to the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX 114), amongst others. Furthermore, we are a founding member of the globally acknowledged IECEx scheme, through which we provide services both as a certification body (ExCB) and as a testing laboratory (ExTL). DEKRA is a registered certification body in Japan for manufacturers who want to export their products used in explosive atmospheres and need Japanese explosion proof certificates (JPEx). Last but not least, we have been accredited by INMETRO to assess and certify products according to Brazilian technical regulations.

In addition, our experts test, assess and certify safety devices, controlling devices and regulating devices such as gas detectors and monitoring facilities for pressurized enclosures. This allows you to bring your innovations to market. We also perform measurements and tests on prototypes.

Request a quote

+31 88 96 83 008

GER: +49 234 3696 103
US: +1 312 462 3814

products.global@dekra.com
Why DEKRA?

All types of protection
DEKRA is able to test explosion protected electrical devices for all types of protection. From flame-proof enclosures through intrinsic safety; we performs all tests according to EN IEC 60079.

Audits from a single source
Do you prefer to work with just one point of contact? We have that covered for you: enjoy the comfort and convenience of a single source for your ATEX, EAC, IECEx and INMETRO audits

IECEx certificates
Did you know that DEKRA holds the self-proclaimed ‘world record’ for IECEx certificates? We have issued one of the highest numbers of trustworthy and valid IECEx certificates anywhere in the world. Find our more

Combined services
Our large portfolio enables us to combine explosion safety testing with other services, such as electrical and functional safety, cybersecurity, EMC, etc.
Since the DEKRA test results are widely accepted internationally, we provide you with a firm foundation for operating on a global scale. We are acknowledged by and collaborate with many national test and approval centers including, such as FM Approvals, USCG and MSHA in the US, NEPSI and CQST in China, NANIO CCVE in Russia, as well as KTL, KOSHA and KGS in Republic of Korea.

Are you looking to arrange a combined product and systems assessment and certification? Then liaise with our European offices in the Netherlands and Germany, or with our offices in the USA, Japan or Korea. In Europe, we offer fire inspection and plant inspection as additional services. Our highly skilled global workforce enables service delivery whenever and wherever necessary.

Complementing our service offering, DEKRA offers support through plant & process safety (ATEX 153), the IECEx 03 certified facilities scheme, as well as the IECEx 05 scheme for the certification of personnel competence for explosive atmospheres. For more specific information, feel free to contact our experts.

ATEX Trainings

For a complete overview of the trainings, exams, and certificates related to ATEX, please visit the ATEX Training page.

ATEX Training page
- We test amongst others:
  
  • Equipment, components and protective systems used in hazardous areas
  • Dusts
  • Valves and their operating gears
  • Pumps
  • Fans
  • Screw conveyors
  • Rotary feeders
  • Conveyor plants
  • Hydraulic systems
  • Pneumatic systems
  • Valves
  • Couplings
  • Brakes
  • Lifting devices
  • Mills
  • Blenders
  • Stirring units
  • Compactors
  • Measurement equipment
- Selected recognitions
  
  As the European Notified Bodies no. 0158 (DEKRA EXAM GmbH) and no. 0344 (DEKRA Certification B.V.) we test, assess and certify according to:
  
  • ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU)
  • IECEx Certification Body
  • EN IEC 60079 (0 – 37)
  
  As an IEC test lab, certification body and inspection body, we certify according to the following IEC systems:
  • IECEx01, 02 and 04 (equipment)
  • IECEx03 (facility inspection)
  • IECEx05 (personnel)
  
  Furthermore, we are registered as a test house for:
  • INMETRO
  • FM Approvals
  • TIIS (Technology Institution of Industrial Safety)
  • KCs (Korean Certificate Safety)
  • Registered Certification Body Ex products in Japan (JPEx)
For more detailed information:

Procedure for certification of quality management systems 83 KB

Procedure for evaluation, testing and certification of Ex products 35 KB

Top things to know for JPEx certification 135 KB
Our services in detail:

Electrical equipment
Are you ready for competent determination of compliance?

• Testing and certification of all types of protection according to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
• Certification of quality management systems according to Directive 2014/34/EU
• Testing and certification within the IECEx scheme
• Certification of quality management systems according to IECEx scheme
• Testing and certification according to Brazilian technical regulations for INMETRO
• Certification of quality management systems according to Brazilian regulations for INMETRO
• Testing of functional safety of electrical safety devices
• Assessment and testing of electrical safety and explosion safety for North American hazardous classified areas

Non electrical equipment
As a Notified Body in the Netherlands and Germany, DEKRA tests and certifies non-electrical equipment of Group I (mining) and Group II (industrial) according to Directive 2014/34/EU as well as in line with the mechanical IECEx standards. We guide manufacturers and suppliers through the whole process, from choosing the best process for assessing conformity to issuing the pertinent EC declaration of conformity.

Autonomous protective systems
When operating equipment assemblies (plants) in potentially explosive atmospheres, the implementation of preventive explosion protection measures is not enough to exclude explosion hazards. Constructive explosion protection always has to include an explosion-proof design of the plant in combination with explosion-protected decoupling.

Constructive explosion protection requires the use of so-called protective systems. The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU specifies the minimum requirements for protective systems and the conformity assessment process for the EU market.

Examples of protective systems that DEKRA tests and certifies include:

• Systems for pressure relief, such as explosion vents and rupture discs
• Systems for suppressing explosions
• Systems for explosion decoupling, such as flameproof rotary feeders, quick-closing gate valves, explosion protection valves, extinguisher barriers, double-flap valves, swing-type check valves, relief pipes and squeeze valves

Plants (equipment assemblies)
Quite often, equipment is supplied or operated in combination with other equipment or components. These are often considered as single functional units (assemblies) in the scope of the Directive 2014/34/EU, IECEx 02 and INMETRO. Examples of such products are valves and their operating gear, pumps and fans. Complete plants may also be marketed as an assembly or a functional unit (like a device according to RL 2014/34/EU). For this, they need to be evaluated according to their ignition hazard, also in interaction with separate parts.

At DEKRA, we offer the following services to manufacturers of such plants and systems (assemblies) as part of the conformity assessment:

• Risk assessment for the assembly regarding additional ignition hazards and other relevant risks
• Test of safe use of bought-in ATEX products
• Assessment of electrostatic ignition hazards at plants and within processes
• Use of components without CE marking
• Special requirements in the documentation (e.g. instruction manual) of assemblies

In addition, DEKRA offers solutions to manufacturers who want to assemble customized plants by combining several components into modular systems.

Dusts
Knowing the flame and explosion characteristics of combustible dusts is necessary for safe handling. The type and volume of the tests are always adapted to each specific case (e.g. plant, procedure, process conditions and organizational measures). In particular, processes of segregation or enrichment of fine dust have to be considered.

DEKRA offers packages of parameter determination such as maximum explosion pressure, Kst value, minimum ignition energy and further examinations such as assessment of electrostatic ignition sources, explosion propagation modeling and investigations into causes of explosions.

Service facilities in explosive atmospheres
Service facilities which overhaul, repair and modify equipment used in hazardous areas need to ensure continued safe operation of equipment. The IECEx 03 Certified Service Facilities scheme provides an international program for assessing and certifying explosion-related service facilities according to the requirements of IEC 60079-14, IEC 60079-17 and IEC 60079-19.

IECEx 03 enables you to demonstrate that your workshops fulfill these requirements and that you have an effective quality management system in place. The scheme also helps you to market your services internationally, as it is accepted by all IECEx countries. DEKRA is a Certification Body for IECEx 02,03,04,05 and ExCB. We work with many standards and approval bodies to help you to export your products and services worldwide.

Our services in detail:

Electrical equipment
Are you ready for competent determination of compliance?

• Testing and certification of all types of protection according to ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
• Certification of quality management systems according to Directive 2014/34/EU
• Testing and certification within the IECEx scheme
• Certification of quality management systems according to IECEx scheme
• Testing and certification according to Brazilian technical regulations for INMETRO
• Certification of quality management systems according to Brazilian regulations for INMETRO
• Testing of functional safety of electrical safety devices
• Assessment and testing of electrical safety and explosion safety for North American hazardous classified areas

Non electrical equipment
As a Notified Body in the Netherlands and Germany, DEKRA tests and certifies non-electrical equipment of Group I (mining) and Group II (industrial) according to Directive 2014/34/EU as well as in line with the mechanical IECEx standards. We guide manufacturers and suppliers through the whole process, from choosing the best process for assessing conformity to issuing the pertinent EC declaration of conformity.

Autonomous protective systems
When operating equipment assemblies (plants) in potentially explosive atmospheres, the implementation of preventive explosion protection measures is not enough to exclude explosion hazards. Constructive explosion protection always has to include an explosion-proof design of the plant in combination with explosion-protected decoupling.

Constructive explosion protection requires the use of so-called protective systems. The ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU specifies the minimum requirements for protective systems and the conformity assessment process for the EU market.

Examples of protective systems that DEKRA tests and certifies include:

• Systems for pressure relief, such as explosion vents and rupture discs
• Systems for suppressing explosions
• Systems for explosion decoupling, such as flameproof rotary feeders, quick-closing gate valves, explosion protection valves, extinguisher barriers, double-flap valves, swing-type check valves, relief pipes and squeeze valves

Plants (equipment assemblies)
Quite often, equipment is supplied or operated in combination with other equipment or components. These are often considered as single functional units (assemblies) in the scope of the Directive 2014/34/EU, IECEx 02 and INMETRO. Examples of such products are valves and their operating gear, pumps and fans. Complete plants may also be marketed as an assembly or a functional unit (like a device according to RL 2014/34/EU). For this, they need to be evaluated according to their ignition hazard, also in interaction with separate parts.

At DEKRA, we offer the following services to manufacturers of such plants and systems (assemblies) as part of the conformity assessment:

• Risk assessment for the assembly regarding additional ignition hazards and other relevant risks
• Test of safe use of bought-in ATEX products
• Assessment of electrostatic ignition hazards at plants and within processes
• Use of components without CE marking
• Special requirements in the documentation (e.g. instruction manual) of assemblies

In addition, DEKRA offers solutions to manufacturers who want to assemble customized plants by combining several components into modular systems.

Dusts
Knowing the flame and explosion characteristics of combustible dusts is necessary for safe handling. The type and volume of the tests are always adapted to each specific case (e.g. plant, procedure, process conditions and organizational measures). In particular, processes of segregation or enrichment of fine dust have to be considered.

DEKRA offers packages of parameter determination such as maximum explosion pressure, Kst value, minimum ignition energy and further examinations such as assessment of electrostatic ignition sources, explosion propagation modeling and investigations into causes of explosions.

Service facilities in explosive atmospheres
Service facilities which overhaul, repair and modify equipment used in hazardous areas need to ensure continued safe operation of equipment. The IECEx 03 Certified Service Facilities scheme provides an international program for assessing and certifying explosion-related service facilities according to the requirements of IEC 60079-14, IEC 60079-17 and IEC 60079-19.

IECEx 03 enables you to demonstrate that your workshops fulfill these requirements and that you have an effective quality management system in place. The scheme also helps you to market your services internationally, as it is accepted by all IECEx countries. DEKRA is a Certification Body for IECEx 02,03,04,05 and ExCB. We work with many standards and approval bodies to help you to export your products and services worldwide.
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