3.  Conclusion

The preventive and protective measures that can be put in place to prevent dust explosions and limit their consequences are therefore of various kinds.

The ATEX Directive establishes regulations applicable in the EEC, requiring the identification of zones where flammable atmospheres linked to the presence of dust in suspension may be present, the marking of the presence of ATEX zones, and the standardization of electrical and mechanical equipment that may be installed in these zones. These ATEX zones may be located inside equipment or in its vicinity.

Preventive measures, such as the total inerting of enclosures and equipment, help to exclude the occurrence of dust explosions inside these installations. This technique requires precautions to be taken when entering equipment that may contain an oxygen-depleted atmosphere. There is a risk...