ATEX-rated cameras are designed and certified for use within atmospheres which are at risk of explosion and fire. The ATEX-rating of a camera is in accordance with a global certification framework and testing standards. The critical aspect of ATEX cameras is that their construction prevents any sparks within electronics of the camera becoming a source of ignition to combustible materials, gasses or fluids in the surrounding environment. Any electrical spark must be contained and prevent the release of energy from the camera as this could trigger an external explosion. That’s why ATEX-rated cameras are usually made of heavy-duty metals and are extremely well sealed.
Spaces with explosive atmospheres are hazardous and often require CCTV monitoring for safety reasons, incident prevention, sabotage, and terrorism. ATEX cameras are also used for efficiency reasons and creating better work practices. They are typically used in the oil and gas sector, the petrochemical industry, and in biomass plants, but there is a wider multitude of scenarios where they can be highly beneficial. Let’s delve into all of this a little deeper.
What is an explosive atmosphere, and how is it controlled?
ATEX is coined from the French term “ATmosphères EXplosibles” and refers to the minimum safety requirements for workplaces and the equipment used in explosive atmospheres. Whether they are referred to as EX areas, classified zones, hazardous locations, or explosive atmospheres, they primarily contain flammable gases, mists, vapours or combustible dusts in varying amounts. If enough of these materials are present, mixed with air, then a source of ignition is all that's needed to cause an explosion which can be devastating to personnel, equipment and buildings.
Many workplaces have these potentially explosive atmospheres such as the oil and gas industry, vehicle paint sprayers, factory floors, power plants, chemical processing plants, distilleries, bottling plants, grain silos and terminals.
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulation (DSEAR) requires employers to eliminate or control the risks of explosions and fires within their workplace, such as limiting the presence of combustible materials, and reducing potential sources of ignition. The latter can be implemented effectively by installing and operating correct equipment meeting specific safety regulations. As cameras are classed as electrical equipment and can be a source of ignition, they must meet regulations by design and construction to ensure they mitigate against the release of energy that may ignite gases and dust in the area.
Due to the critical nature of the hazards at play, only certified ATEX engineers should install these cameras, ensuring the equipment is commissioned compliant to safety regulations.
Not all hazardous areas are the same - ATEX categorisation
The term ‘ATEX’ is often used in a general sense. It can be overlooked that not all hazardous areas pose the same level of risk or incident severity. That’s why risk areas are segregated into zones and defined as either Zone 0, Zone 1 or Zone 2, and depending on a predetermined set of conditions. The camera’s ATEX rating must be in accordance for its use in these zones. Let’s take a look at the table below to better understand the differences between these zones.
| Gases, vapours and mists | Combustible dusts | Equipment | Type of area | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 0 | Zone 20 | Category 1 | Continuous hazard | Area at risk of exposure to flammable or hazardous atmospheres continuously or for long periods. |
| Zone 1 | Zone 21 | Category 2 | Intermittent hazard | Area at risk of exposure to flammable or hazardous atmospheres occasionally during normal operation. |
| Zone 2 | Zone 22 | Category 3 | Abnormal hazard | Area where there is a low possibility of hazardous or flammable environments, but if the levels of dangerous substances do rise, they will persist only briefly. |
Depending on the classification of the equipment, some can be used in multiple zones, such as Category 2 equipment meeting the requirements of Zone 1, but also the less strict requirements of Zone 2. However, it must be said that there is no benefit of over-specifying the ATEX equipment, and that (much) cost can be saved by matching a camera's category with the zone requirements.
ATEX cameras build characteristics
Cameras rated for Zone 0 or Zone 1 use are typically constructed from reinforced, electro-polished stainless steel, and these incredibly strong housings are adept at containing any potential ignition source resulting from malfunction, preventing exposure to the surrounding explosive atmosphere. As Zone 2 cameras are generally exposed to a lower level of risk, their construction can vary including a polycarbonate blend with aluminium, whilst still being IK10 and NEMA 4X rated for impact resistance. Often being installed in hard-to-access locations, certain models utilise a wiper blade which can be manually activated to clear the toughened glass viewing window if it has become clogged with dust and grime. This helps reduce the need for personnel to perform maintenance within dangerous areas.
As well as being sturdy and resilient, the housings are often rust-resistant making them suitable for use in onshore, offshore, marine and heavy industrial environments. They are resistant to corrosion from cleaning chemicals and saltwater, meaning longevity in harsh environments with minimal maintenance.
In terms of functionality, many ATEX cameras feature varifocal lenses, and some have full pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) capabilities, allowing users to direct monitoring to specific areas on-demand, in addition to preset configurations and patrolling features.
Where and why are ATEX cameras used?
As technology continues to develop, today's network cameras are about much more than just live visual images. With the increasing use of AI and video analytics, cameras can now detect heat signatures, smoke, fire, patterns, trends and anomalies through metadata that bring additional benefits to health and safety and operational efficiency. Some examples:
Health & Safety
- Thanks to embedded analytics within the camera, fire prevention is enabled through early detection of smoke and fire, facilitating an immediate response and appropriate action.
- Safety equipment alerts can be activated through personal protective equipment (PPE) detection, where an alert is triggered if a member of staff is seen entering a specific area where PPE is mandatory.
- Users can configure preset areas and confined spaces with differing levels of risk, helping to minimise staff exposure to high-risk and hazardous situations.
Optimise Productivity
- Monitor equipment and piping for leaks, temperature changes and risks of overheating, enabling predictive maintenance to prevent downtime and improve availability.
- Sensors in machines picking up data can be integrated into AI-powered cameras to create a data-driven sensory network, which can detect elements such as the RPM of machines and overlay this information on live video for real-time performance monitoring, further enabling predictive maintenance.
- Visual cameras and thermal cameras can monitor flares for signs of smoke and temperature, to provide an oversight of waste gas disposal and ongoing plant performance.
- Use visual verification to ensure procedures are followed, such as levers or valves being set to the correct position, overall improving consistency, and reducing the need for service personnel deployment.
Do you have a need for hazardous area monitoring?
If you have a requirement for improved monitoring in hazardous areas, please contact us to obtain expert ATEX advice and recommendations. In the meantime, see our portfolio of Axis ATEX cameras.