What are ATEX two way radios and do I need them for my business?

If you work in an industry where your business is at risk from potential explosive atmosphere then you should be aware of the ATEX directive. The ATEX directive provides regulations to protect and safeguard employees in dangerous environments such as oil, gas, mining or chemical installations.

From 2003 the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC was introduced by the European Union to ensure that intrinsically safe equipment and systems, including two way radios were used by workers in potentially explosive atmospheres. ATEX approved radios are manufactured to very stringent requirements and high manufacturing standards to reduce or eliminate any risk of generating the tiniest spark as well as heat produced by the device. From the radio casing to batteries, everything has to be constructed for safety. ATEX radios operate at a lower output power and are normally IP67 compliant to protect them from dust and allowing immersion in water. ATEX radios may be coloured blue and marked with an ‘EX’ symbol indicating ATEX certification.

There are a number of classifications for ATEX equipment. These can be chiefly divided into two Groups I and II. Equipment within the Group I can be used in mines or similar environments that are susceptible to methane. Group II equipment can be used in other areas than mining where explosions can occur such as the oil and gas industry, power stations and ports. Group II can be divided into three subgroups.

IIA: For atmospheres containing propane or gases of an equivalent hazard.
IIB: For atmospheres containing ethylene or gases of an equivalent hazard.
IIC: For atmospheres containing hydrogen or gases of an equivalent hazard.

For an in depth explanation of the classifications, please follow the table below.

ATEX Mining Protection and Meaning
1: Group 1, Mining
M2: Must be switched OFF in case of firedamp
Ex: Explosion proof equipment
ib: Intrinsic safety
I: Protection in mining group: Methane
Mb: Mining equipment protection level: High protection

ATEX Gas Protection and Meaning
II: Group II, other (non-mining) areas
2: High level protection for use in Zone 1 (gas)
G: Gas, vapour and mist
Ex: Explosion proof equipment ib: Intrinsic safety
IIC: Protection in GAS group Acetylene, Hydrogen
T4: Device surface temperature will not exceed 135°C
Gb: Gas equipment protection level: High protection

ATEX Dust Protection and Meaning
II: Group II, other (non-mining) areas
2: High level protection for use in Zone 21 (dust)
D: Dust
Ex: Explosion proof equipment
ib: Intrinsic safety
IIIC: Dust group: Conductive dust (R≤10³Ωm)
T110°C: Maximum temperature of device surface
Db: Dust equipment protection level. High protection

Despite the potentially dangerous scenarios, ATEX two way radios are the best way for your organisation to communicate in the event of any emergency or to make quick decisions when needed.

So what Icom ATEX radios are available?

Icom has a range of ATEX approved radios that meet Class 2 specifications. The pocket-sized IC-F51 ATEX radio is available in VHF and UHF and meets class 2 ATEX standards. The radio series is IP-67 dust-tight and waterproof and features a variety of signalling standards as well as a lone worker function.

The IC-M87E ATEX compact marine VHF radio also conforms to the 94/9/EC ATEX Directive. This version is suitable for use in hazardous areas on land and at sea such as oil rigs, petrol tankers, etc. The IC-M87 has 22 Programmable Channels for Land Use and a built-in voice scrambler with 32 codes for private transmission. The IC-M87 meets the needs of business and industry users who need a waterproof marine radio and simple PMR radio.

For more information

For more information about Icom’s range of ATEX approved equipment, please visit our ATEX two way radio product pages. Alternatively, call our sales team on 01227 741741 or email sales@icomuk.co.uk.