PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
(OP)
This week had an inspection of a pressure vessel. As im not that into ATEX, I had question, as the vessel (an S&T HEX) had the ATEX zone classification on the nameplate, toghether with the CE mark en Ex-symbol.
Long story short, can any pressure vessel, like a simple column, reactor or shell in tube heat exchanger, designed and delivered under the PED, also fall under the ATEX directive, when it's main purpose is to contain pressure acc. article 1, para 2.1.1 of the PED?
Please note Im only referring to the vessel itself, and Im not looking at any instruments which may be on the vessel (like a pressure switch) when the vessel is placed in an ATEX zone/environment.
Long story short, can any pressure vessel, like a simple column, reactor or shell in tube heat exchanger, designed and delivered under the PED, also fall under the ATEX directive, when it's main purpose is to contain pressure acc. article 1, para 2.1.1 of the PED?
Quote:
‘Vessel’ means a housing designed and built to contain fluids under pressure including its direct attachments up to the coupling point connecting it to other equipment. A vessel may be composed of more than one chamber.
Please note Im only referring to the vessel itself, and Im not looking at any instruments which may be on the vessel (like a pressure switch) when the vessel is placed in an ATEX zone/environment.





RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
Was the heat exchanger supplied with additional equipment and sold as one? E.g. transmitters, pressure control devices?
If they had to take into account any additional requirements for protection against explosion / fires, then I can understand the Ex mark, but on it's own I'm not too sure...
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
Then such a case comes to my question: can a pressure vessel, ordered with no means of instrumental things, be considered to fall under the ATEX directive?
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
For example, overheating, high surface temperature etc.
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
Thanks for your input so far, but I haven't found any answer yet that solve the question.
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
The Pressure Equipment Directive deals only with the pressure hazard and does not consider the prevention of and protection against explosions/inflammations, which are not triggered by pressure.
In most cases it is presumed that PED equipment does not have an own ignition source when it is properly installed according to the instructions of the manufacturer (including information about
maintenance and repair of the connecting devices, e.g. valves, flanges). If such PED equipment shows hot surfaces occurring during operation caused by the temperature of its content solely, it is
not applicable to consider this equipment under the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC.
Taken from:
https://www.ptb.de/cms/fileadmin/internet/fachabte...
So in general, no, ATEX is not considered for most pressure vessels under PED. Probably still wise to do a hot surface check though!
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
I do not have my files available, but Wikipedia shows "In very broad terms, there are three preconditions for the directive to apply: the equipment a) must have its own effective source of ignition; b) be intended for use in a potentially explosive atmosphere (air mixtures); and c) be under normal atmospheric conditions."
In general you must NOT apply CE marking unless a Directive applies, but the Technical File will contain the justification.
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
The reference by caloomi is excellent, and I think the guidelines provide the answer. Thanks all.
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?
RE: PED and ATEX - can both directives apply for a pressure vessel?