ATEX Explosion Proof API 610 High Speed Centrifugal Pump Zone 1
Hazardous Area
ATEX Explosion Proof API 610 High Speed Centrifugal Pump for
Hazardous Area Service
Our journey into ATEX-certified rotating equipment manufacturing
began in 2014 when a major European refinery operator challenged us
to develop an API 610 OH6 pump package with full ATEX Directive
2014/34/EU compliance for a Zone 1 classified hydroprocessing unit.
Since delivering that first certified unit—which has now
accumulated over 40,000 operating hours without a single
safety-related incident—we have expanded our hazardous area pump
portfolio through systematic investment in ATEX competency training
for our engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams.
Our current ATEX-certified pump program is supported by a dedicated
hazardous area compliance engineer holding CompEx Foundation
certification, a documented ignition hazard assessment methodology,
and an established relationship with an EU-notified body (SGS
Baseefa) for conformity assessment and ongoing surveillance audits.
The explosion proof pump certification process follows a rigorous
technical file compilation procedure that we have refined through 8
years of continuous notified body interaction. Each pump variant
undergoes a formal ignition hazard assessment per EN 80079-36
evaluating 13 potential ignition sources identified in the
standard—including hot surfaces, mechanically generated sparks,
static electricity, stray electric currents, and adiabatic
compression—under both normal operation and reasonably foreseeable
malfunction conditions.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Certification Reference |
|---|
| ATEX Marking (Pump Assembly) | II 2G Ex h IIB T3 Gb | EU-Type Examination Certificate |
| IECEx Certification | Ex h IIB T3 Gb | IECEx Certificate of Conformity |
| Applicable Zones | Zone 1 (Category 2G) and Zone 2 (Category 3G) | Per ATEX Directive Annex I |
| Temperature Class | T3 (200°C maximum surface temperature) | Verified by temperature rise testing |
| Gas Group | IIB (Representative gas: ethylene) | EN 80079-36 Clause 5.2 |
| Pump Design Standard | API 610 12th Ed., OH6 Category | Design per API 610 Annex A |
| Maximum Flow Rate | 85 m³/h (375 GPM) | Performance test on record |
| Maximum Differential Head | 914 m (3,000 ft) | Deadweight-tested transmitters |
| Motor Certification | Ex d IIB T3 Gb (Flameproof Enclosure) | Separate motor ATEX certificate |
| Coupling | ATEX-Certified, Anti-Static, Spark-Free | Manufacturer's ATEX Declaration |
| NACE Sour Service Option | MR0175/ISO 15156 Compliant | Material certification per NACE |
Hazardous Area Compliance Engineering
- Systematic Ignition Hazard Assessment Process: Our documented ignition hazard assessment methodology—developed in
consultation with our notified body and refined through application
on over 60 ATEX pump projects—systematically evaluates each
potential ignition source using a structured checklist aligned with
EN 80079-36 Table 2. For hot surface hazards, we perform a
worst-case temperature rise analysis considering maximum process
fluid temperature, bearing friction heat generation under degraded
lubrication, and mechanical seal face heat generation under dry
running conditions.
- Component-Level ATEX Compliance Management: Based on our practical experience managing ATEX supply chains,
every component incorporated into the explosion proof pump
assembly—motor, coupling, instruments, cable glands, seal support
system components—is sourced with its own valid ATEX or IECEx
certificate. Our quality assurance team maintains a controlled
register of component certificates with expiration date tracking,
ensuring that production units always incorporate currently
certified components.
- ATEX-Specific Manufacturing Controls: Our production procedures for ATEX-certified pumps include
specific controls that we developed based on lessons learned from
notified body audit findings: critical flamepath dimensions on
bearing housings and seal chambers are measured and recorded on
dimensional inspection reports; all non-metallic components are
verified to have surface resistivity below 1 GΩ to prevent static
charge accumulation; and the complete pump assembly undergoes a
final ATEX compliance verification checklist signed by our
hazardous area compliance engineer.
- Lifetime ATEX Compliance Support: Recognizing that ATEX certification validity extends throughout
the equipment's operational life, we provide a comprehensive user
manual with specific maintenance procedures, approved spare parts
listings, and inspection intervals required to maintain the
validity of the ATEX certification. Our service engineers are
trained in ATEX maintenance requirements, and we offer
post-overhaul re-certification inspection services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does your ATEX certification cover the complete pump package
including motor, coupling, and instrumentation?
A1: Yes, this is a critical point based on our experience with
end-user HSE acceptance processes. Our ATEX certification covers
the complete pump assembly, not just the bare pump. The technical
file submitted to and approved by our notified body includes the
pump casing and rotating assembly, the flameproof motor (with its
own ATEX certificate incorporated by reference), the anti-static
flexible coupling (with manufacturer's ATEX declaration), the API
682 seal support system, and all instrumentation and sensors
mounted on the pump package. A single EU Declaration of Conformity
is provided covering the complete assembly, which simplifies the
end-user's hazardous area equipment register documentation and
eliminates the need to manage multiple separate certificates for
individual components.
Q2: What happens if we need to replace a component during the
pump's operational life—does this affect the ATEX certification?
A2: This is a question we address proactively in our user manual
based on our understanding of ATEX lifecycle requirements.
Replacement of consumable wear components with genuine
manufacturer-supplied spare parts manufactured to the same
specifications documented in the technical file does not affect the
ATEX certification validity. The critical requirement is that
replacement components must be identical in material, dimensions,
and surface finish to the originally certified components. We
maintain a controlled spare parts list in the user manual
identifying which parts are ATEX-critical and must only be replaced
with genuine manufacturer parts versus standard industrial
components that may be sourced locally provided they meet the
material and dimensional specifications documented in the manual.
Q3: Can the pump be supplied with IIB+H2 or IIC gas group
certification for hydrogen-containing atmospheres?
A3: Based on our engineering assessment and discussions with our
notified body, the standard IIB T3 certification can be upgraded to
IIB+H2 (suitable for atmospheres containing hydrogen) or IIC
(suitable for acetylene and carbon disulfide) through supplementary
assessment. The upgrade requires: re-evaluation of flamepath gap
dimensions on all flameproof enclosures against the more
restrictive IIC requirements; additional temperature monitoring
points with lower alarm thresholds to maintain the required
temperature class; and specific material selection for components
exposed to hydrogen to address hydrogen embrittlement concerns per
API 941. We have supplied IIC-certified pumps for hydrogen recycle
service in hydroprocessing units and can provide a detailed
technical proposal including the modified certification scope, cost
impact, and schedule extension during the project engineering
phase.
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