But did you know that in 2002 new European regulations came into force with regards to the supply and use of industrial vacuum cleaners, the European standard referred to is EN60335-2-69 and IEC 603335-2-69 AMEX AA and relates to the safety and degree of potential danger of dust in the working environment, accordingly these dusts could be dangerous and are divided into categories.
This standard also applies to machine handling dangerous materials; the maximum concentration of material in the air is mg/m³ in the working environment for which can be subjected without having negative consequences on ones health, with respect to a given collected dust type as indicated by the code MAK.
Any vacuum now being purchased must be marked L, M or H to comply with European legislation.
CFM have designed and manufactured a complete rate of machine available in single or 3 phase in order to comply with this legislation ensuring that you can safely and confidently use one of them in your working environment.
Another recent change has been the implementation of the ATEX directive which came into force on 1st July 2003; this directive covers hazardous areas within the working environment and equipment which is used in those areas.
Zone 2 - possible risk
There are many areas in industry where up until last year were not designated a hazard but with the implementation of ATEX have now become Zone 22 areas, this applies mainly where fine powders such as sugar powder, milk flour and other food ingredients are used.
CFM have been certified for almost 2 years on many of it's vacuum cleaners for Dust Zones 21 and 22 and have recently been for Zone 1 and 2 Gas areas.
One Step Ahead
As a distributor for CFM S.p.A UK (part of CFM S.p.A Italy the largest manufacturer of industrial vacuums in Europe) our MAG range of machines for use in ATEX gas Zone 1 & 2 designated areas have been awarded approval and certification.
The testing, approval and certification has been carried out in France by "INERIS", one of the European approved bodies designated to carry out testing on electrical equipment to ensure conformity to the new European legislation.
CFM have had approval for over 1 year for its 'MAG' machines for use in ATEX dust Zones 21,22,23 and have strived through it's R&D department to achieve the higher level requirements for Zone 1 & 2.
There are 3 machines in the 'MAG' range now approved for both the dust and gas areas, the models 3307 Mag 1, 3557 Mag 2, and 3557 Mag 3 all 3 phase from 2.2 KW to 5.5KW.These machines can also be supplied with bag in/bag out safe change HEPA filtration system and safe emptying ideal for the Pharmaceutical, Chemical and Nuclear industries.
CFM also have a full range of single phase and 3 phase machines certified for use in ATEX Zone 22 areas (Dust only), there are also 2 compressed air operated machines which are suitable for all levels of usage i.e. gas and dust zones.
Since the implementation of the ATEX directive in July of 2003 more and more manufacturing companies have had to re designate their production areas and in most cases, especially where there is dust around, had to up grade to at least Zone 22, this is more apparent in the food industry where many powered products are used.
CFM have been able and are able to help these companies maintain their high level of hygienic and cleanliness while still meeting the latest directive.
CFM Meet The Directive On The Use Of Electrical Powered Vacuums In Hazardous Areas
Following many years of consultation the European body for the control of the use of equipment in hazardous areas have finally agreed that from the 3rd June 2003 the new directive 94/9CE (ATEX) will legally come into force. This means that from that date any new equipment purchased for use in hazardous areas must be approved and certified.
CFM having spent the last twelve months designing and developing a range of industrial vacuums to meet the new specification and finally submitted the machines to one of the approved European certification centers and after carrying out a number of modifications finally had all three machines Mag 1, Mag 2 and Mag 3 approved and certified.
Orders have already been placed in Europe by one of the largest Pharmaceutical companies where not only do they need the hazardous standard machines but need HEPA filtration and stainless steel construction to collect toxic materials.
‘Bag in bag’ safe change filtration is also available and an air driven machine which has full certification to meet these directives. For further details click here
Saving Dough While Making The Bread
CFM vacuum technology recently resolved a material-handling problem during the manufacture of special loaves in one of the UK's biggest bakeries.
Normal loaves of bread are mixed and produced on a standard production line, however for special loaves i. e. bread with cereal or other additives. The extra ingredients were added manually into the mixer, due to the quantity and weight Health and Safety regulations prevented this from being carried out in one operation (the weight of additives are over 40kg). This made the operation very costly in man hours and also very tedious.
CFM solved this problem by designing and supplying a pneumatic conveying system.
The principle is very simple and efficient-during the mixing cycle the system fills a hopper over the mixture and when needed the operator releases the ingredient from the hopper into the mixer, an operation which takes approximately 1. 5 minutes and eliminates manual handling.
The system has proved so successful that a number of other bakeries in the group are looking for similar installations.
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