Specialized Ventilation Studies (ATEX, Ammonia Refrigeration, etc)

During the compilation of the "Explosion Protection Document" study, it is not rare that the spread or existence of explosive gases may capture extensive field areas. These areas are characterized as “Hazardous Areas” or “ATEX Zones". This is particularly the case for confined spaces where the prevailing ventilation conditions are characterized as 'inadequate' or 'unacceptable', since they cannot provide the necessary sweep of clean air into the space to safely and quickly remove the hazardous gas concentrations generated. Large extent of ‘’ATEX Zones’’ produces difficulties and restrictions to facilities, as equipment installed into them should be “ATEX certified”. A cost-effective way to reduce the extent of Zones is to improve the extraction ventilation conditions through technical or natural means.

Ergonomia, with long and extensive experience in compiling ATEX studies, has developed a service regarding the “Design and study of ventilation networks to limit ATEX Zones’’.  Using specialized software packages for the ventilation network studies, can undertake the design and integrated proposals for the improvement of ventilation and minimization of the “ATEX Zones” extend and thus transforming these areas to safer places and economically feasible to manage.  

Ergonomia’s Specialized Engineers undertake to:

• Determine the ventilation needs according to IEC EN 60079-10-1, API RP 505, NFPA 497 standards.
• Design the required ventilation network in relation with the space needs (determination of local suctions - discharges at the possible leakage points, design of suction funnels, calculation of network pressure losses, selection of Explosion Proof Fans, etc.)
• Dimension the network based on the calculations of hydraulic pressure losses - flow speed, using the corresponding software
• Determine and specify the characteristics of the required ventilators (pressure - flow - size, explosion protection characteristics, etc.) Propose and specify the functional automation of the ventilation network in relation to the other measures and means of detection of the explosive atmosphere (e.g. LEL percentage of detectors which will activate the ventilation system, placement of air flow monitors for the timely notification of the loss of room ventilation, etc.)

Furthermore, “Ergonomia” can define and conduct the required studies of pipelines cross-section determination for Explosion Venting networks in dust handling systems (e.g. silos, filters, mixing machines etc), according to EN 14491, EN 14797and NFPA 68 standards.