Professional ATEX Inspection
for Hazardous Areas
Independent inspection of Ex equipment and installations — delivered by an engineer with 17+ years of field experience in live classified areas. Written reports accepted by auditors, insurers, and regulatory authorities.
(Visual · Close · Detailed)
The Legal Reality
ATEX Inspection Is Not Optional — It's a Legal Obligation
Workplace Directive 1999/92/EC and EN/IEC 60079-17 require periodic inspection of all Ex equipment in hazardous areas. Non-compliance is not a technicality — it is a direct liability in the event of an incident.
- Periodic inspection is mandatory under Directive 1999/92/EC
- EN/IEC 60079-17 defines three specific inspection grades — all three are required
- Non-conformities must be documented, categorised and resolved
- Inspection records form part of the Explosion Protection Document (EPD)
- Insurers increasingly require evidence of periodic compliance inspections
- Competence of the inspector must be verifiable — a site walk-through is not enough
Visual Inspection — External condition check without opening equipment. Can be performed during operation. Identifies gross defects, damage, corrosion, missing labels.
Close Inspection — All visual checks plus access to the equipment without disturbing connections. Checks cable entries, enclosure integrity, earthing, documentation.
Detailed Inspection — All of the above plus internal inspection. Checks internal wiring, component condition, clearances, marking compliance. Requires isolation and permit-to-work.
Frequency is determined by the environment, zone, and equipment type — not by a fixed calendar. It must be justified and documented.
Inspection Scope
What Gets Inspected — and Why It Matters
Every Ex installation is a system. Individual components may appear compliant while the installation as a whole is not. Inspection covers both.
| Inspection Area | What Is Checked | Grade | Consequence of Failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enclosure Integrity | Corrosion, damage, missing bolts, IP rating compromised, gasket condition | Visual | Atmosphere ingress into Ex-d, Ex-e or Ex-i enclosures |
| Cable Entries & Glands | Correct Ex-rated glands, unused entries sealed, correct sealing compounds | Close | Loss of explosion-proof containment or ingress protection |
| Earthing & Bonding | Continuity, connections, conductor sizing, bonding jumpers for static | Close | Static ignition source; equipment damage during fault |
| Equipment Marking | Ex marking visible and correct for zone, gas group, temperature class | Visual | Unverified equipment in classified area — regulatory non-compliance |
| Internal Wiring & Connections | Termination quality, correct conductor cross-sections, no loose connections | Detailed | Overheating, arcing, ignition source creation inside enclosure |
| Ex-i Barriers & Zener Diodes | Correct model installed, loop resistance within specification, supply voltage | Detailed | Intrinsic safety circuit no longer limits energy — zone 0/1 hazard |
| Ex-d Flameproof Joints | Gap measurement, surface condition, fastener torque, no paint on joints | Detailed | Flame path no longer extinguishes — explosion propagation |
| Documentation & Records | Equipment registers, inspection history, certificates, EPD reference | Close | Audit failure; inability to demonstrate compliance to authorities |
What Goes Wrong
The Most Common ATEX Inspection Failures
These are the deficiencies found most frequently on-site — across industries, facility ages, and maintenance standards.
The Deliverable
What You Receive After Inspection
Every inspection produces a documented record — not a verbal report. The output is structured for immediate use: by your safety team, your insurer, and any regulatory authority.
Equipment-by-equipment findings per EN/IEC 60079-17. Each item graded: satisfactory, observation, or non-conformity. Includes photographic evidence of key findings.
Categorised list of all deficiencies found — with recommended corrective actions, priority levels, and references to the applicable standard clause.
Updated Ex equipment list with inspection dates, certificate references, and zone suitability confirmed. Ready to integrate into your EPD.
Environment-specific inspection frequency recommendation per EN 60079-17 Annex B — justified and documented for your records.
Practical guidance on how inspection findings link to your Explosion Protection Document — and what needs to be updated if the EPD is out of date.
One follow-up call included for clarification of findings, prioritisation of corrective actions, or guidance on procurement of replacement Ex equipment.
Describe your facility and I'll tell you exactly what inspection scope you need, what to expect, and what it will cost. No obligation.
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