Air Conditioners

Explosion Proof Air Conditioners for ATEX Zones

Control rooms, analyser houses, battery rooms and switch rooms inside a hazardous area still need cooling, and a standard split unit is not an option: its compressor, fan motors and electronics are all potential ignition sources. An explosion proof air conditioner is a complete system, indoor and outdoor unit, that is certified for the zone in which it is installed. The units in this category are available with ATEX or IECEx certification depending on the model, for Zone 2 and 22 as standard and for Zone 1 and 21 where required, with cooling capacities from 1.5 to 14 kW.

Types of unit

The wall mount unit is the workhorse for small rooms and containers. Ceiling suspended and cassette units keep the walls free in control rooms and laboratories. Ducted units feed several rooms from one indoor unit, and every type is combined with a matching Zone 2/22 outdoor unit. The Ex-M Extreme Temperatures series keeps cooling at ambient temperatures up to +55°C, for the Middle East, Africa and engine rooms, and the Ex-M Magnum Plus is a certified reefer unit for cooled containers in the zone.

What to specify

Four things decide the right unit: the zone classification of the room and of the outdoor location, the required cooling capacity, the maximum outdoor temperature and the refrigerant your site allows. Unlike a handheld device, an air conditioner is nearly always installed to a drawing, so we ask for the room dimensions, heat load and zone plan and return a written quotation with the exact marking, usually within one working day. Installation and commissioning by a certified contractor can be included.

Where they are used

Typical projects are offshore platforms, refineries and chemical plants, pharmaceutical production, paint shops and battery storage rooms, and container-based control rooms that are moved between sites. For heating, ventilation and other climate equipment for hazardous areas, see the explosion proof HVAC overview.