INDICATIONS FOR CHOICE OF ATEX FANS
CAUTION!
ATEX marking is possible only if the fan is assembled by Ferrari or one of its qualified "OBT ATEX" dealers.
1. ATEX SERIES FANS
Not ATEX
Fan type Category 2 Category 3
certifiable
G - atmospheres D - atmospheres G - atmospheres D - atmospheres
with explosive with explosive with explosive with explosive
gases dust gases dust
FA/R - FC - FE -
FG - FI - FP/P,
FC - FE - FG - FI
- FP/N, VCM,
ART, FQ, MEC,
FA/R - FC - FE -
FA/R - FC - FE - FA/R - FC - FE - FR, FS, PFB,
FG - FI - FP/P,
FG - FI - FP/P, FG - FI - FP/P, PFM, DFR/DFM
FC - FE - FG - FI
FC - FE - FG - FI FC - FE - FG - FI (with intake
- FP/N, VCM,
Centrifugal fans - FP/N, VCM, - FP/N, VCM, temperature CFR
ART, FQ, MEC,
ART, FQ, MEC, ART, FQ, MEC, limited to 40°C,
FR, FS, PFB,
FR, FS, PFB, FR, FS, PFB, fluid not
PFM, K, KA, KB,
PFM PFM corrosive or
KC, KM
toxic and
without
suspended
particles), K,
KA, KB, KC, KM
EF (excluding EF (excluding EF (excluding EF (excluding
version 12; version 12; version 12; version 12;
with intake with intake with intake with intake
temperature temperature temperature temperature
Axial fans EK, EQ, EP
limited to 40°C limited to 40°C limited to 40°C limited to 40°C
in case of in case of in case of in case of
version 9), EFR, version 9), EFR, version 9), EFR, version 9), EFR,
ES, ESR, EB, ET ES, ESR, EB, ET ES, ESR, EB, ET ES, ESR, EB, ET
Note: the plug fans (series PFB e PFM) are available ATEX certified only in arrangement 4A with baseframe
Chart 1
2. GROUPS, CATEGORIES, WORK ZONES, TEMPERATURE CLASSES
The specific standard for fans (UNI EN 14986) does not envisage type 1D machines and explosion group
II C for gases, even though it covers use in atmospheres containing hydrogen. In addition, the Ferrari
range does not envisage type 1G machines (see Chart 3).
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ATEX GROUP II
WORK GROUP II G - atmospheres with explosive gases II D - atmospheres with explosive dust
CATEGORY 1* 2 3 2 3
WORK ZONE 0* 1 2 21 22
EXPLOSION
II A II B II C*** II A II B II C*** II A II B II C*** III A III B III C III A III B III C
GROUP**
* = Category/work zone not manufactured by Ferrari.
** = For dust, the classification of explosion groups is envisaged only for electrical devices (marking on
motor only).
*** = Explosion group envisaged by standard UNI EN 13463-1, but not by standard UNI EN 14986. Fans
destined for operation in atmospheres containing hydrogen must be marked “II B + H2”.
Chart 3
Fans in categories 2D and 3D that operate in environments with conductive dust must have motors marked
2D – III C, with an IP 65 protection rating.
Fans can be supplied in the following temperature classes:
Gases: T2 (maximum surface temperature 300°C).
T3 (maximum surface temperature 200°C).
T4 (maximum surface temperature 135°C), only for direct fans with motor marked T4. All fans with
drive-belt transmissions are excluded. For high-pressure fans (series FA/R - FC - FE - FG - FI - FP/P,
FC - FE - FG - FI - FP/N) requested in this class, the technical office must make a feasibility check in
the case of ambient temperatures over 40°C.
Ferrari does not supply fans in classes T1 (maximum surface temperature 450°C), T5 (maximum surface
temperature 100°C) or T6 (maximum surface temperature 85°C). NB: Each class always includes the
preceding classes (e.g. class T4 also includes classes T1, T2 and T3, and class T6 includes all classes).
Dust: Surface temperatures 125 – 135 – 195 – 295°C. For temperatures lower than 195°C, only direct fans
with a motor with a marking corresponding to the required temperature (125 or 135°C) can be supplied,
and therefore all fans with a drive-belt transmission are excluded. For high-pressure fans at these
temperatures (series FA/R - FC - FE - FG - FI - FP/P, FC - FE - FG - FI - FP/N) the technical office must make a
feasibility check. As an approximate indication, for high-pressure fans with a diameter greater than 900 mm
requested for temperatures of 125-135°C, the technical office must make a feasibility check in the case of
ambient temperatures over 40°C.
3. WORKING CONDITIONS
The following precautions must be observed:
Intake temperature must be between -20 and 60°C.
Intake pressure must not be less than 80 kPa (0.8 bar) or greater than 110 kPa (1.1 bar).
Flow must not be lower than the minimum flow indicated on the Operating diagram in the
catalogue.
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On fans with transmission, the maximum power of the motor installed must not exceed 80% of the
motor power indicated in the catalogue.
The fan rotation speed must be less than 85% of the maximum speed envisaged by the diagrams in
the catalogue, for both direct and transmission fans.
For series ART, FQ and FR with cooling fan in category 3G only, suspensions of the standard can be
accepted, if the following conditions are respected:
1. intake temperature must not exceed 150°C;
2. ambient temperature must not exceed 30°C;
3. the maximum admissible surface temperature must be greater than the intake temperature plus
50°C;
4. the load on the motor bearings due to the overhanging impeller must be monitored;
5. the fan flow must always be between the minimum and maximum values indicated on the
operating diagram;
6. the pressure difference between intake and supply must be lower than 3000 Pa along the entire
operating curve;
7. no sliding seals must be present;
8. installation must be with a horizontal axis;
9. the motor must operate in S1;
10. the motor must both be powered by an inverter.
4. WORKING TEMPERATURES
Charts 3 and 4 summarize the ignition point temperature for gases (Chart 2) and for dust (Chart 3),
according to the temperature class (gases) or the marked surface temperature (dust) for fans produced by
Ferrari.
Minimum gas Minimum gas
Nominal surface Maximum
Temperature ignition point ignition point
temperature (as admissible surface
classes temperature for temperature for
marked) (°C) temperature (°C)
category 2 (°C) category 3 (°C)
T2 300 290 363 290
T3 200 195 244 195
T4 135 130 163 130
Chart 3
Minimum dust
Minimum dust ignition
Nominal surface Minimum dust ignition ignition point
point temperature with
temperature (as marked) point temperature with temperature with
deposits of thickness up
(°C) clean surfaces (°C) deposits of thickness
to 5 mm (°C)
over 5 mm (°C)
295 443 518 According to
195 293 368 thickness and
135 203 278 ambient
125 188 263 temperature
Chart 4
When ordering, the customer/user must therefore choose the temperature class (for gases) or the surface
temperature (for dust) according to the type of substance present in the fluid propelled by the fan, and
according to the conditions of the work environment. In addition, the additional materials used for ATEX
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constructions are normally copper and aluminium alloys. The customer must explicitly inform Ferrari
Ventilatori of any possible incompatibilities between these materials and the fluid propelled.
5. CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
In addition to the indications given above, the following points must be taken into consideration.
Impellers cannot be equipped with retrofit blades.
a) Seals
Refer to Chart 4 below for the choice of seals.
Seal type Admissible temperature classes
Plain ring in Teflon T2, T3, T4
Labyrinth seal in Teflon with/without blowing rings T2, T3, T4
Labyrinth seal in bronze with blowing rings* T2, T3, T4
Sliding seal in Viton T2
Seal with felt ring NOT ADMISSIBLE
Stuffing box seal NOT ADMISSIBLE
*= Labyrinth in bronze to be used only if Teflon is not compatible with the system.
Chart 4
When the most hazardous zone is internal, the motor can be lower by no more than one category (see also
point b) below) if the Teflon sealing ring is used. It must however be taken into account that fans are not
perfectly airtight, and the possibility of fluid leakages must also be considered, as specified in point 1.4 of
the ATEX Instruction Manual. Depending on the environment in which the fan is installed, a more
hazardous situation than that foreseen can therefore be created due to leakages of the working fluid, so
that the exterior becomes the same category as the interior. The definition of the category to which the
installation environment belongs must therefore be accurately assessed according to its characteristics
(open or closed space, presence or absence of ventilation, etc.).
b) Motors
For all motors constructed by contract, customers are responsible for checks on bearings.
In the case of fans intended for use with explosive atmospheres only internally, the following criteria must
be followed:
If the hazard zone is type 1 or 21 (category 2G or 2D), the motor must be marked at least 3G or 3D
respectively. In addition, a ring seal in Teflon must be fitted on the casing.
If instead the hazard zone is type 2 or 22, a standard motor can be installed, as long as a ring seal in
Teflon is fitted.
There may never however be more than one category of difference between the interior and
exterior (it is therefore prohibited to fit standard motors with categories 2G or 2D internally, even if
there is no hazardous atmosphere externally). It may even be more appropriate to fit a motor
corresponding to the same category as that of the interior, when there is no certainty on the
precise category of the environment (see point a) above).
For version 5 fans in categories 3G or 3D only internally, an ATEX 3G or 3D motor must always be
fitted if the motor itself is in contact with the fluid. A standard motor may be fitted if the spacer
columns are present.
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If operation with an inverter is envisaged, the motor must always have a PTC switch or a similar device
envisaged by the manufacturer. In addition, if it is an ATEX motor, it must be derated with 15% less power
compared to the standard version. Similarly, power derating must also be applied if the ambient
temperature is greater than 40°C.
The temperature class of the motor must be equal to or greater than that of the fan, even if the motor is of
a lower category (e.g. if the fan is category 2G and class T4, the motor can be category 3G and must have a
temperature class of T4 or T5).
On direct axial fans, it must be remembered that the motor is in direct contact with the fluid propelled by
the fan. The temperature for the assessment of the suitability of the motor must therefore be the same as
the fan operating temperature. For example, if it is 60°C, this will be the temperature of the motor, and in
particular its bearings.
c) Sensors and electrical connections
Fans for zone 21 (category 2D) must be fitted with a sensor for the constant monitoring of vibrations. This
sensor can be fitted by Ferrari, the installer or the end user. In these last two cases, failure to fit the sensor
will invalidate the ATEX certification of the fan. With regard to the ATEX marking of the sensor, the
indications given earlier for motors are applicable.
d) Accessories
Accessories are not ATEX marked. Nevertheless, assessments can be made on the relative velocity between
the fluid and the component, so as to determine the probability of triggering an explosion.
6. NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ON ATEX CONSTRUCTIONS
The applicable reference standards are as follows (NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST):
Directive 94/9/EC ATEX Directive
Directive 99/92/EC Minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of
workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres
UNI EN 14986 Design of fans working in potentially explosive atmospheres
UNI EN 1127-1 Explosive atmospheres – Explosion prevention and protection – Basic
concepts and methodology
UNI EN 13463-1 Non-electrical equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres –
Part 1: Basic method and requirements
UNI EN 13463-5 Non-electrical equipment intended for use in potentially explosive
atmospheres – Part 5: Protection by constructional safety "c"
VDMA 24167 Ventilatoren: Sicherheitsanforderungen (Fans: Safety requirements)
EUROVENT 1/5-99 Specification for fan construction and use to reduce the ignition risk in
potentially explosive atmospheres
IEC/CEI EN 60079 Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment –
General requirements – Part 20-1: Material characteristics for gas and
vapour classification - Test methods and data – Part 10: Classification of
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areas – Part 14: Electrical installations in hazardous areas with explosive
gases (other than mines)
CEI EN 61241-10 Classification of areas where combustible dusts are or may be present
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