Home › Safety › ATEX Zone Classification

💥 ATEX explosive-atmosphere zone classification

Classify hazardous areas for flammable gas/vapour (EN 60079-10-1) and combustible dust (EN 60079-10-2): pick substances and their properties, add release sources, get the zone designation, an indicative extent and the matching ATEX equipment category under Directive 2014/34/EU — then export a Word report and an Excel zone summary. Zone extents are indicative only; a competent person must confirm the final classification.

⚠️ Indicative guidance only. This tool helps structure a hazardous-area classification (HAC) study — it does NOT produce authoritative zone extent distances. Real zone extents depend on release rate, geometry, ventilation and substance, and the final classification, drawings and extents must be set and signed off by a competent person / process safety specialist per EN 60079-10-1, EN 60079-10-2 and your DSEAR/ATEX duties. Do not size equipment or define zones from this output alone.
Installation
Type of explosive atmosphere
Flammable substance (gas / vapour / mist)

Pick from the list to auto-fill indicative properties, or type your own and enter values manually. Always confirm against the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Flash point
LEL
UEL
Auto-ignition
Gas group
Temp. class
Vapour density (air=1)
Combustible dust (if applicable)

IIIA = combustible flyings · IIIB = non-conductive dust · IIIC = conductive dust (e.g. metal). Dust layers also need a layer ignition (glow) temperature for the temperature-class assessment.

Add a source of release
Sources of release
Indicative zone extents by source & ventilation

The distances below are broad illustrative ranges for orientation only — verify every extent with a specialist using EN 60079-10-1 calculations or recognised industry guidance (e.g. EI 15 / IGEM). Do not use them as design distances.

Zone map summary (per source)

Each release source is mapped to a zone, an indicative extent and the ATEX equipment category required in that zone under Directive 2014/34/EU. Add sources in step 3 first.

Example equipment marking (decoded)

This example marking is built from your selected substance group / temperature class — it illustrates how to read an ATEX marking. The actual marking required depends on the equipment, protection concept and EPL.

Ignition-risk reduction checklist

Tick the controls already in place. Gaps are highlighted in the report. In ATEX zones, every effective ignition source must be controlled (EN 1127-1).

Additional ignition-control notes

⚠️ This tool supports a hazardous-area classification under the ATEX framework; it is not a stamped classification and not legal advice. Substance properties are indicative and must be confirmed against the current SDS. Zone extents are illustrative ranges, not design distances. The final area classification, drawings, zone extents, equipment selection (EPL/category) and the explosion protection document must be produced and signed off by a competent person under EN 60079-10-1, EN 60079-10-2 and your national DSEAR / ATEX obligations.

Framework: Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX equipment) and Directive 1999/92/EC (ATEX workplace / DSEAR). Classification standards: EN 60079-10-1 (explosive gas atmospheres) and EN 60079-10-2 (explosive dust atmospheres); equipment per the EN 60079 series. Zone→category mapping: Zone 0/20 → Category 1, Zone 1/21 → Category 2, Zone 2/22 → Category 3 (Group II gas, Group III dust). Indicative only — confirm with a competent person and the current standards.