Ventilation of rooms at risk and explosion, use of ATEX axial wall fans

The use of ATEX certified axial wall fans for air exchange required by legislations in rooms at risk of explosion represents an excellent technical solution, we see below why, using as an example the air exchange in the areas where the batteries of forklifts are recharged within companies. We use this example because the operation of charging the forklift is a very common but also delicate procedure, especially if the batteries to be recharged are lead or nickel-cadmium. In these cases it is necessary to provide a dedicated space for charging, which meets precise safety requirements because during the charging phase heat, gas and sometimes sparks develop which cause a strong fire or explosion hazard.

The role of forced ventilation using axial wall fans is therefore very important because unless there are large openings such as windows for natural ventilation, it is absolutely necessary to reduce the concentration of hydrogen in the air that, as known to technicians in the sector if it exceeds 4% can occur an explosion. In fact, the risk of explosion in the rooms dedicated to the recharge of batteries is a direct consequence of the emission of hydrogen in the environment generated by the electrolysis of water. This technical phase of recharging takes place towards the end of the recharge when the electrolysis of the water present in the electrolyte can occur, that is, the water molecules break up releasing oxygen and, in fact, hydrogen.

One of the periods of greatest hydrogen release occurs when the battery is charged and continues to receive energy that it no longer needs and, instead of charging, produces electrolysis, typically when we leave the forklift under charge all night or over the weekend.

What solutions to adopt? Axial panel fans are a simple and effective choice

As already written, one of the basic requirements that a charging zone must have is ventilation, designed to allow the dispersion of hydrogen and prevent it from reaching risky concentrations in closed spaces. But how to achieve it ? There are many technical proposals that certainly must be customized according to how much equipment is present, the size of the rooms, and the specific needs of the customer. But as opposed to specific aspiration systems or complicated systems of connection to forklifts, with flexible pipes or other fittings, the solution with the ATEX certified axial wall fans represents a choice with several advantages: simple wall or panel installation, does not require piping, installations, or other complex systems wide range of capacities and multiple installation possibilities in case of large rooms ATEX Ex II 2G Ex-d IIC T4 Gb certification easy electrical connection to sensors or other systems for automatic start visit the product

Legislations and reference links

• CEI EN 62485-3:2016 Safety requirements for accumulator batteries and their installations part 3
• Inail – explosive atmospheres

Did you know?

The technical Atex legislation has been developed by the European Union to ensure a compliant level of safety at work in all environments in which mechanical processes release gases, dust and/ or vapors that would cause explosions if they catch fire. The term ATEX, in fact, comes from the French language “atmosphères explosibles” (explosive environments).

Consult our Technical Office to ask for advice or support in sizing the ventilation correctly.