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What Is ATEX? Hazardous Area Equipment, DSEAR and ATEX Radios Explained | Yesway
If you work in oil and gas, chemicals, marine, manufacturing, waste, utilities, or any environment where flammable gases, vapours, mists, or dusts may be present, you may have come across the term ATEX. But what does ATEX actually mean, and when does it matter?
This guide explains what ATEX is, how it relates to DSEAR and UKEX, what hazardous area zones mean, and why intrinsically safe equipment such as ATEX radios is important in explosive atmospheres.
Need help choosing ATEX radios or hazardous area communications equipment?
What Does ATEX Mean?
ATEX comes from the French phrase Atmosphères Explosibles. It is commonly used to describe the rules, certification approach, and equipment associated with work in potentially explosive atmospheres.
In practical terms, ATEX is about reducing the risk of ignition in places where flammable gas, vapour, mist, or combustible dust may be present. HSE explains that explosive atmospheres can be caused by flammable gases, mists, vapours, or combustible dusts, and that using the correct equipment can play an important part in risk reduction.
What Is the Difference Between ATEX, DSEAR and UKEX?
This is where many people get confused.
ATEX
ATEX is the term most people use for explosive atmosphere equipment and hazardous area compliance. It is still widely used in industry language and remains highly relevant when talking about EU-facing equipment and hazardous-area concepts.
DSEAR
DSEAR stands for the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. HSE states that DSEAR puts duties on employers and the self-employed to protect people from risks to safety from fire and explosion involving dangerous substances in the workplace.
UKEX
For equipment placed on the market in Great Britain, the relevant product framework is the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016, as amended. UK government guidance explains that these regulations set the requirements that must be met before products can be placed on the GB market.
So, in simple terms:
- DSEAR is about workplace duties and risk control
- ATEX / UKEX is about suitable equipment for explosive atmospheres
- ATEX is still the term many people use in everyday industry language, especially when talking about hazardous area equipment
What Is a Hazardous Area?
HSE defines hazardous areas under DSEAR as places where an explosive atmosphere may occur in quantities that require special precautions to protect workers.
These areas are commonly found where there is:
- Flammable gas or vapour
- Combustible dust
- Fuel handling or chemical processing
- Spraying, mixing, milling, filling, or storage operations
What Are ATEX Zones?
Hazardous areas are classified into zones according to how likely an explosive atmosphere is to be present. This helps determine the level of protection required for equipment.
Gas / Vapour Zones
- Zone 0: explosive atmosphere present continuously, for long periods, or frequently
- Zone 1: explosive atmosphere likely to occur in normal operation occasionally
- Zone 2: explosive atmosphere not likely in normal operation, and if it occurs, it will only exist for a short time
Dust Zones
- Zone 20: combustible dust cloud present continuously, for long periods, or frequently
- Zone 21: combustible dust cloud likely to occur occasionally in normal operation
- Zone 22: combustible dust cloud not likely in normal operation, and if it occurs, it will only exist briefly
Industry guidance and hazardous area overviews consistently use this zoning structure to determine the appropriate equipment category and level of protection.
What Is ATEX Equipment?
ATEX equipment is equipment designed and certified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The purpose is to reduce the chance that the equipment itself could become a source of ignition.
This can include:
- Two-way radios
- Mobile phones and tablets
- Torches and lighting
- Sensors and instrumentation
- Motors, switches, and control devices
- Protective systems and associated accessories
UK government guidance describes the explosive-atmosphere equipment regulations as the framework governing equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in Great Britain.
What Is an ATEX Radio?
An ATEX radio is a two-way radio designed for use in hazardous areas where ordinary radios could pose an ignition risk. These radios are typically designed as intrinsically safe devices, meaning they are engineered so that they cannot release enough electrical or thermal energy to ignite a hazardous atmosphere under defined conditions.
Recent industry guidance explains ATEX radios as intrinsically safe communication devices designed to operate safely where explosive gases or dust may be present.
When Do You Need an Intrinsically Safe Radio?
You may need an intrinsically safe radio when staff need dependable communication in areas affected by explosive atmosphere risk, such as:
- Oil and gas facilities
- Chemical plants
- Fuel storage and transfer sites
- Dust-risk manufacturing environments
- Marine and offshore hazardous areas
- Utilities and waste operations
The exact requirement depends on the hazardous area classification, site risk assessment, operating procedures, and the type of dangerous substances present. Under DSEAR, employers must assess and control these risks.
Why Ordinary Radios Are Not Suitable in Hazardous Areas
A standard radio may generate heat, sparks, or electrical energy in a way that is acceptable in normal environments but unsafe in explosive atmospheres. That is why hazardous areas require specially selected equipment. HSE’s guidance emphasises both the importance of preventing releases of dangerous substances and preventing ignition sources, including through the use of correct equipment.
How to Choose the Right ATEX Radio
1. Check the Zone Classification
The radio must be suitable for the zone in which it will be used.
2. Confirm Gas or Dust Risk
Different environments create different protection requirements.
3. Review Site Procedures and Risk Assessments
The right choice depends on the actual hazardous area assessment, not just on a product brochure.
4. Look at Practical Use
Consider audio quality, battery life, waterproofing, durability, glove use, and accessory compatibility.
5. Match the Radio to the Operational Need
Some teams need simple voice communications; others may need lone worker, man-down, Bluetooth, or digital capability.
Common Mistakes People Make with ATEX
- Assuming “rugged” means ATEX approved
- Using ordinary radios in hazardous areas
- Confusing DSEAR duties with product certification rules
- Choosing equipment without checking the zone classification
- Focusing only on price instead of risk and suitability
Why ATEX Still Matters
Although the UK now has its own product framework for explosive-atmosphere equipment in Great Britain, ATEX remains a core industry term, and the underlying hazardous-area concepts remain highly relevant. HSE continues to publish ATEX and explosive-atmosphere guidance alongside DSEAR material, while the UK government maintains separate product guidance for GB market compliance.
Need Help Choosing ATEX Radios or Hazardous Area Equipment?
If you need help understanding ATEX equipment, selecting an intrinsically safe radio, or choosing communications equipment for hazardous areas, Yesway Communications can help.
About Yesway Communications
Yesway Communications supplies and advises on specialist communications equipment, including ATEX radios and hazardous-area communication solutions for demanding operational environments. We focus on practical, real-world guidance rather than generic product listings.
