3. Avoid ignition sources

There are many sources of ignition and, as in the previous step, you need to start by making an inventory of them at each location where an ATEX is likely to be formed (c f. the inventory of storage and process locations carried out in step 2).

Once the sources of ignition have been identified, here are the actions to be taken to prevent them from triggering an explosion:

• Avoid all sources of heat by changing processes or thermal insulation. To do this, you'll need to eliminate open flames; eliminate/insulate hot surfaces caused by exothermic chemical reactions, mechanical friction, electrical resistors or heat engines.

• Avoid all sources of sparking by changing processes or electrical insulation, in particular by eliminating/insulating mechanical, electrical or electrostatic sparks....