Avoid explosions with Morclean ATEX Vacuums

Potential explosions can occur when a dust cloud of any combustible material will ignite under certain operating conditions; for example, when the concentration of dust in air falls within the explosion limits and when a source of ignition of the required energy is present.

This is particularly common in industries such as food manufacturing, where there is a lot of combustible dusts in the atmosphere. Hazardous dusts in food industries include materials such as flour, instant coffee, sugar, dried milk, custard powder, potato powder and soup powder. 

At Morclean, we supply an extensive range of ATEX rated vacuum cleaners, specifically designed to handle jobs that are not suitable for standard vacuums, when working with potentially hazardous dust and debris in the prevention of explosions. 

We have recently sent a Morclean MAV 2 Air Powered Vacuum to a popular bakery product manufacturers in Oxfordshire. The MAV 2 is a rugged die-cast aluminium, trigger operated, air vacuum gun, which can be used in the removal of almost any debris*, including glass, swarf, metal chippings, plastic particles, dust and powder. For fine dust or large volumes of debris the cloth bag can be replaced with a range of different size canisters and filtration systems.

This vacuum cleaner is Category 3 and suitable for use in Gas Zone 2 and Dust Zone 22. Due to its construction and its Anti Static (Conductive) air supply hose, any static build up will be dissipated. However it is the user's responsibility to ensure and maintain a good earth bond at the compressed air connection point.

Our range of ATEX vacuums are are suitable for use in various Gas Zones and Dust Zones (i.e. Gas Zone 2 and Dust Zone 22) to pick up hazardous dust and debris without fear of explosion. The Vacuum cleaners are fully earth bonded and have an Anti-static (conductive) vacuum hose and air supply hose to prevent sparks or shocks. 

Every Morclean ATEX vacuum cleaner is individually tested and provided with its own test certificate of filtration efficiency and earth path continuity.

ATEX Zones:

The hazardous places are classified into zones based on the frequency and duration of a hazardous explosive atmosphere:

Gas, Mists or Vapors

Zone 0 – An atmosphere where a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is present frequently, continuously or for long periods.

Only Category I equipment can be used in Zone 0.

Zone 1 – An atmosphere where a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Only Category I and II equipment can be used in Zone 1.

Zone 2 – An atmosphere where a mixture of air and flammable substances in the form of gas, vapor or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for only a short period.

Category I, II and III can be used in Zone 2.

Dusts

Zone 20 – An atmosphere where a cloud of combustible dust in the air is present frequently, continuously or for long periods.

Only Category I equipment can be used in Zone 20.

Zone 21 – An atmosphere where a cloud of combustible dust in the air is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.

Only Category I and II equipment can be used in Zone 21.

Zone 22 – An atmosphere where a cloud of combustible dust in the air is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for only a short period.

Category I, II and III can be used in Zone 22.

Category I equipment – equipment with a very high level of protection.

Category II equipment – equipment with a high level of protection.

Category III equipment – equipment with a normal level of protection.