ATEX (ATmosphere EXplosive) and Fuel Polishing Systems
In mid 2015, diesel was reclassified. As it has a flashpoint of 55 deg C
and above, whereas the lower limit for hazardous material has been
moved from 55 deg C to 60 deg C, diesel must now be considered to
be a hazardous material. This means clients may wish to consider
ATEX in future installations.
There are guidelines for equipment being used in ATEX Zoned
environments, and we hear many different interpretations. It is our
considered opinion that some form of Standard is required.
HSE Guidelines
Hazardous areas are classified into zones based on an assessment of the frequency of the occurrence
and duration of an explosive gas atmosphere, as follows:
• Zone 0: An area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods;
• Zone 1: An area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation;
• Zone 2: An area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation
and, if it occurs, will only exist for a short time.
Other Sources
Various sources have tried to place time limits on to these zones, but none have been officially
adopted. The most common values used are:
• Zone 0: Explosive atmosphere for more than 1000h/yr
• Zone 1: Explosive atmosphere for more than 10, but less than 1000 h/yr
• Zone 2: Explosive atmosphere for less than 10h/yr, but still sufficiently likely as to require controls
over ignition sources.
How do you quantify zones?
To quantify where the zones are is not easy, it depends on the environmental conditions, the
likelihood of a hazardous environment, temperature, ventilation of the areas, etc. To assist the
following schematic represents a double skin fuel tank, with tank vents on the top and a tank end
enclosure on the left hand side. It is part full with diesel fuel.
WASP PFS Ltd, 3 Kingley Park, Station Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8GW
Tel +44(0)1923 606600 Fax +44(0)1923 267463 sales@wasp-pfs.com www.wasp-pfs.com
Many different opinions are in place with regards to how far a zone should cover. Reading the
guidelines, distance is not necessarily an issue that affects zoning in the case of diesel. That said
every case should be reviewed on an individual basis as one site differs to the next.
The fuel itself may therefore be considered zone 0, the air above it inside the tank is considered zone
0 or zone 1. The gap between the fuel tank and its second skin is also considered to be zone 1, the
tank top vent to the outside environment is considered zone 1 or possibly 2. The Tank end enclosure
is considered to be zone 2, unless it is well ventilated when it might be considered a save zone (i.e.
not zone classified).
Zone Definition
There have been a few questions seeking clarification of ATEX Zone areas. Zone definition is the
same for any product, and is based on gaseous atmosphere and flammability of products, gas or
liquid or dust. A measurement device or a pump in the bottom of a tank must be Zone certified for a
full or empty tank and does not matter if the item is in Vapour or product. If a spark can cause an
ignition then this equipment must be certified for Zone 0/1 in vapour and when submerged most
would specify Zone 0. Deciding whether or not your site / installation will require ATEX Zone
approved equipment comes down to an informed risk assessment. The ATEX zoning system produces
different results for varying liquids, gasses and dusts. In regards to fuel polishing, it is typically only
the liquid hazard which is the most likely to be present. For diesel to be at risk of catching fire there
needs to be a temperature in excess of its flash point (55 deg C) and the product must be in misting
form, such as a pin hole in a hose, or a leak in a pipe join gasket, or a badly fitting threaded joint.
So the risk assessment questions are.
1. Is the fuel ever likely to reach/exceed or come into contact with a temperature in
excess of its flash point (55 deg C)?
2. What is the likelihood that there will be a misting-leak for more than 10 hr/ year in the
area that you are considering for zone control?
3. Are there any other stored products that require ATEX Control Zone areas nearby?
If the answer is yes to either 1 or 2 or 3, then the area will require ATEX Zone considerations.
If the Answer is no to 1, 2 and 3, then your risk assessment results in the area being classified as
either the safe area (i.e. no need for ATEX products) or possibly Zone 2 if there is no guarantee
misting leaks cannot occur in the area.
So what does this mean to fuel polishing system installations?
All WASP manufactured fuel polishing systems are constructed following best practices. This means
that whilst ATEX is always a consideration, it is one which should more be focused on the external
environment rather than the environment the fuel polishing system creates.
WASP PFS Ltd, 3 Kingley Park, Station Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8GW
Tel +44(0)1923 606600 Fax +44(0)1923 267463 sales@wasp-pfs.com www.wasp-pfs.com
WASP units are diesel fuel polishing devices, meaning they will be transferring diesel fuel. When
considering DSEAR/ATEX, it is diesel we must consider; according to EN590 diesel has a flash point
above 55 deg C, however it does not burn easily. In order to ignite diesel, not only must you have an
environment over 55 deg, but the fuel must also be in misting form.
Consider the risk review once more, and look at the temperature of stored / delivered Diesel. In the
last 10 years, we have never seen stored diesel exceed 33 deg C within the United Kingdom. Other
companies report tanks in Singapore at 45 deg C and in Australia about the same, so every case
should be reviewed on an individual basis.
A WASP fuel polishing system cannot create the environment required to ignite diesel; there are no
sources of ignition, no temperatures over 55 deg C and the fuel is only under tiny pressure. Internally
the pressure side of our system is normally less than 1bar, the machine automatically switches off if
it senses 2.5bar or higher; however you need a pin-prick hole and over 5 bar of pressure to create
the hazardous misting of diesel.
Every part of our system is leak tested before despatch, meaning there are no potentials for leaks in
normal operation; which when coupled with the low pressures means a WASP unit cannot mist the
diesel.
In summary
1. WASP systems do not have any potential ignition source on our machine
2. WASP systems cannot product the required diesel mist to create a burn/explosion
These two factors mean there is no requirement for ATEX in relation to the WASP fuel polishing
system’s operation. The environment it is placed in however must be appraised separately.
WASP PFS Ltd, 3 Kingley Park, Station Road, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8GW
Tel +44(0)1923 606600 Fax +44(0)1923 267463 sales@wasp-pfs.com www.wasp-pfs.com
