In industrial environments where gases or potentially explosive atmospheres are present, reliable ventilation is essential. Especially in an ATEX Zone 2 environment, ventilation plays a key role in controlling risks and ensuring a safe working space.
For a newly built hall of approximately 6,500 m³, used for gas meter calibration, a solution based on ATEX box fans was selected to ensure controlled and continuous air exchange.
ATEX ventilation in Zone 2: project requirements
The hall must comply with ATEX Zone 2 classification requirements. In this case, this translates into a required ventilation capacity of at least four air changes per hour based on the room volume.
Key requirements included:
- Continuous and reliable air exchange
- A suitable solution for wall-mounted installation (roof installation not possible)
- Flexible control of airflow capacity
- A redundant system design
Solution: ATEX box fans with frequency control
The selected solution consists of four ATEX II3G box fans, type VN-Box 554 T.
Each fan is directly driven and equipped with an ATEX Ex d IIB T3 motor (IP55, 400V). The fans are connected to frequency inverters, allowing the airflow to be precisely adjusted to the actual demand within the hall.
Technical specifications per fan:
- Airflow capacity: 8,569 m³/h
- Static pressure: 153 Pa
- Motor power: 1.5 kW
- Backward-curved impeller for stable efficiency
Why ATEX box fans in this project?
The selection of ATEX box fans is based on a combination of practical and technical advantages:
- Suitable for wall mounting (no roof structure required)
- Compact design, easy to integrate into existing wall structures
- Low noise operation due to internal sound insulation
- Robust construction for industrial applications
- Easily scalable in multi-fan systems
These characteristics make box fans particularly suitable for ATEX ventilation systems in industrial halls where flexibility and reliability are key.
ATEX ventilation and regulations
When designing ATEX ventilation systems, compliance with the relevant standard is essential. For this type of application, the key standard is EN 14986.
This standard specifies the requirements for the design and construction of fans used in potentially explosive atmospheres. It covers aspects such as mechanical design, material selection, and safe operation within ATEX zones.
By using this standard as a design basis, it is ensured that the ventilation system is suitable for use in an ATEX Zone 2 environment and complies with the applicable safety principles.
Selecting the right ATEX fan solution
Selecting the appropriate ATEX fan depends on several key factors:
- Zone classification (Zone 1 or Zone 2)
- Required airflow capacity
- System pressure losses
- Installation type (wall, roof, or duct)
- Operational reliability and redundancy
Our knowledge base explains the selection process step by step.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates that ATEX ventilation in Zone 2 environments is not only about compliance, but also about creating a well-designed and reliable technical solution. By selecting ATEX box fans with frequency control, a flexible and robust ventilation system is achieved that fits within the practical constraints of the installation.
