Hazardous Area Inspections
Ensuring your explosive atmosphere equipment meets DSEAR and ATEX requirements.
ATEX & DSEAR Inspection Services
F.E.S. (EX) began in hazardous areas and built its reputation on ATEX and DSEAR inspections. Our experienced, highly qualified engineers have the proven skills to conduct Ex inspections of electrical, instrumentation and mechanical equipment located within explosive atmospheres.
Hazardous area inspections are vital to help your business comply with DSEAR and ATEX, and to meet standards such as BS EN 60079, Article 500.
Explosive atmospheres can form from dusts, gases, mists and vapours, in sectors such as chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and food and drink. Through ATEX and DSEAR inspections, F.E.S. (EX) checks whether the equipment in these atmospheres complies with the regulations by carrying out ATEX and DSEAR inspections.
With Ex14 responsible person expertise, our engineers can take on or support the duty-holder role for your Ex installations, supported by Ex12 design verification and our industry committee involvement.
Why Use F.E.S. (EX)?
We inspect electrical, instrumentation and mechanical equipment using our own software, ExTrace®.
Our software means we can often fix faults at the time of inspection. We don’t just leave you a list of faults. We provide a full end-to-end service.
We also provide detailed work packages of any NCRs allowing us or a third party to see what needs fixing.
Years of Expertise
Our Ex12 and Ex14 expertise within the engineering team allows us to support hazardous area compliance across different parts of the asset lifecycle, from selection and design verification through to the management of Ex installations. With this experience at our disposal, we can supplement your existing site engineering and incumbent contractor teams. Through our involvement with the CompEx Technical Committee and Energy Institute, our clients benefit from hazardous-area specialists with deep technical knowledge and a strong connection to industry practice.
Types of Inspection
From first use to ongoing checks, each inspection type keeps your equipment safe and compliant.
Required by IEC 60079-14, and carried out at detailed grade before equipment is brought into service.
The grade of inspection (visual, close or detailed) and the frequency of an Ex inspection are determined by considering various elements such as manufacturer’s guidance, deterioration factors, the zone of use and the results from any previous inspections.
The interval between periodic inspections shall not exceed three years without a documented risk assessment being carried out by an independent expert, such as F.E.S. (EX).
Transportable and portable equipment, such as ATEX-certified torches, radios and personal gas detectors, is more likely to be damaged or misused, so the interval between periodic inspections is shorter.
BS EN IEC 60079-17 requires a visual check before each use and a periodic inspection at least every 12 months. Frequently opened enclosures need a detailed inspection at least every six months. These intervals should only be extended on the advice of the manufacturer and the Technical Person with Executive Function.
Sample inspections can use any grade (visual, close or detailed), or a combination of grades, for example to monitor environmental effects.
Grades of Inspection
Visual Inspections
Identifies defects that can be seen from the ground or from permanent access platforms. A visual inspection is the least intrusive grade as the equipment remains live and no hand tools are used.
Close Inspections
Determines where any defects, including visual, may be detected without the removal of power. This may involve the use of some tools, ladders and other access equipment.
Detailed Inspections
Detailed inspections are carried out on completion of the installation (initial detailed inspection), when it has been handed over by the installation contractor, and prior to the equipment being commissioned. They are also carried out on a sample basis and follow the isolation of power.
Detailed inspections are also compulsory after modifications to plant or wiring, or any other invasive work. They cover aspects covered in a close inspection but goes further by identifying defects such as loose terminations which are only apparent by opening up the item of equipment/enclosure or where necessary utilising tools and test equipment.
Our Inspectors
Our inspectors meet the required qualifications and competencies for ATEX and DSEAR directives, including formal CompEx training programmes that cover the installation, maintenance and inspection of equipment used in an explosive atmosphere.
It is vitally important to us that our inspectors undergo ongoing training and skill updates to stay current with regulatory changes and new technologies.
F.E.S. (EX) inspectors hold the relevant competencies such as:
- CompEx Ex01-Ex04
- CompEx Ex05-Ex06 (or equivalent)
- CompEx Ex11
Our engineering team has NEBOSH, CompEx Ex01-Ex04, Ex05-Ex06, Ex11 and Ex12 qualifications.
Get in Touch
To get in touch with our team directly, please either call the office, email us, or simply fill in the form below and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
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