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According to the EU ATEX Directive regulations, it is mandatory that explosions do not jeopardize workers’ health.
It is therefore required that the following situations occur:
when possible, avoid potentially explosive atmospheres;
as an option to the above mentioned situation, avoid potential ignition sources;
in case this is also not possible, adopt all measures to prevent damages to the workers’ health caused by the explosion.
Compliance with the last condition is possible by implementing the most cost-effective and popular system that consists in explosion vents . The so called “venting” is installed to relieve pressure, discharge and convey the explosion toward a no danger zone. In case such zone is non-existent, for example inside a building, venting consists in applying the so called “quench” filters that extinguish the flames and reduce pressure. In some rare cases, a different approach to explosion venting is applied that employs gas or inert dusts so as soon as the explosion is detected it is made less dangerous or possibly unoffensive.
It is compulsory that every approach is completed by devices preventing that flames and pressure induced by the primary explosion will expand and generate secondary explosion in a different part of the plant. This is called partitioning.
Pressure relief due to the discharge through venting panels or protection systems occurs after the explosion takes place.
However, it cannot be prevented that explosion and flames expand through the ducts connecting the machines of the plant.
It is important to remember that secondary explosions are even worse that the primary ones so they must be avoided at all costs.
Pictures of explosions of bins most of the times show secondary explosions that are ignited by a primary explosion taking place in a connected machine.
Partitioning techniques depend on the plant structure.
Regulations mention both active and passive fire protection.
Active fire protection includes controls made by sensors such as quick-acting rolling shutters and fire resistant chemicals.
Passive fire protection means that no other devices are necessary except for flame-proof rotary valves, plugs, power switch.
