ATEX

ATEX stands for ATmosphères EXplosibles, the European directive for equipment and protective systems used in explosive atmospheres. Any tool or machine used in hazardous zones with flammable gases, vapors or dust must be ATEX-certified to guarantee safe operation.

When is ATEX relevant?

You need ATEX-certified equipment whenever you work in explosive atmospheres. These conditions are common in:

• Oil & Gas – refineries, gas plants, offshore platforms.
• Petrochemical & Chemical plants – processes with volatile chemicals.
• Energy generation – biomass, coal or gas plants where combustible dust is present.
• Marine and offshore wind – confined spaces, tanks or turbine substations where vapors can accumulate.

For you as a plant manager, safety officer or contractor, ATEX certification ensures that blasting and surface preparation can be carried out without creating sparks, dust explosions or shutdown risks.

Look at our application: Safety en precision with ATEX-approved blasting tools

Extra explanation about ATEX

ATEX zones classify environments based on explosion probability:

• Zone 0 – explosive atmosphere present continuously.
• ATEX Zone 1 – explosive atmosphere likely to occur during normal operations.
• Zone 2 – explosive atmosphere only occurs abnormally or infrequently.

Pinovo’s vacuum blasting equipment is ATEX-certified for Zone 1. This means you can safely remove coatings, rust and corrosion while the plant continues operating. Key advantages include:

• No dust release – prevents flammable dust clouds.
• No sparks – pneumatic design avoids ignition sources.
• Regulatory compliance – aligns with European safety directives and HSE requirements.
• Operational efficiency – maintenance can continue without costly total shutdowns.

Products with ATEX

• PiSys™ – ATEX-certified vacuum blasting unit for Zone 1.
• PiWalk™ & PiPoint™ – ATEX-safe adapters for flat surfaces and spot blasting.
• PiCo Pipe™ – safe pipeline blasting in explosive zones.
• PiHab™ – enclosure solution for confined ATEX environments.

Do you want to work safely in explosive atmospheres while reducing downtime?
Request a demo or training to see Pinovo’s ATEX-certified blasting solutions in action.