ATEX Heaters

ATEX heaters are designed for safe temperature control in hazardous gas and dust environments. They provide reliable heating while fully complying with explosion protection requirements.

HeatXperts manufactures and supplies certified heating solutions for use in Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 21 and Zone 22 areas, ensuring safe operation in demanding industrial environments.

Built for process reliability, regulatory compliance and long service life – engineered for real industrial conditions.

ATEX Heaters – Safe Industrial Heating in Explosive Atmospheres

ATEX heaters are used where flammable gases, vapours or combustible dust may be present. In these environments, heating equipment must be designed to eliminate ignition risks while maintaining stable and controlled temperature performance.

Our ATEX heating solutions are engineered according to the applicable ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU) and relevant IECEx standards. Certification scope depends on model and configuration.

Designed for Hazardous Area Compliance

ATEX heaters are typically certified for:

  • Zone 1 and Zone 2 (Gas)
  • Zone 21 and Zone 22 (Dust)
  • Temperature classes up to T6 (depending on configuration)

Protection concepts may include Ex db, Ex eb or other approved design principles depending on application and heater type.

ATEX Heater Types

The ATEX heater range includes solutions for various industrial applications:

  • ATEX Drum Heaters – For safe heating of 200L steel or plastic drums
  • ATEX IBC Heaters – For temperature control of 1000L intermediate bulk containers
  • ATEX Gas Cylinder Heaters – For controlled heating of gas bottles and cylinders
  • ATEX Heating Blankets & Jackets – For tanks, vessels and process equipment

Each heater is designed to match voltage, ambient temperature, zone classification and process requirements.

Engineered for Industrial Reality

Hazardous environments often involve aggressive chemicals, outdoor exposure, mechanical stress and strict safety procedures.

That is why our ATEX heaters are built with:

  • Industrial-grade insulation materials
  • Controlled surface temperature design
  • Certified connection systems
  • Durable outer layers for demanding environments
  • Integrated or external ATEX-approved controllers

Temperature control accuracy and safe heat distribution are critical in explosive atmospheres. We ensure correct sizing and safe integration into your process.

Custom ATEX Heating Solutions

Not all hazardous area heating applications fit standard dimensions. HeatXperts designs and manufactures custom ATEX heating solutions tailored to specific process requirements.

We develop engineered solutions based on:

  • Tank or vessel geometry
  • Required heat-up time and temperature stability
  • Process media characteristics
  • Ambient conditions and installation environment
  • Zone classification and required temperature class

From small-series production to fully project-based designs, we deliver certified heating systems adapted to your exact operational conditions.

When to Use ATEX Heaters

ATEX heating solutions are required when:

  • Heating flammable liquids in drums or IBCs
  • Preventing crystallization in chemical storage
  • Maintaining viscosity of oils, resins or adhesives
  • Operating in refineries, chemical plants, offshore platforms or paint facilities
  • Working in classified production or storage areas

Technical Support Before You Order

Selecting the correct ATEX heater requires proper understanding of:

  • Zone classification
  • Gas group or dust classification
  • Required temperature class (T-rating)
  • Ambient temperature
  • Supply voltage and power requirement

If you are unsure which configuration is required, our technical team will guide you in selecting the correct certified solution.

Frequently asked questions about ATEX Heaters (FAQ)

What is an ATEX heater?

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An ATEX heater is an electrical heating device designed, tested and certified for safe use in potentially explosive atmospheres — environments where flammable gases, vapours, mists or combustible dust may be present. ATEX stands for ATmosphères EXplosibles and refers to the European Directive 2014/34/EU. Every ATEX heater carries a certification marking that defines the zones, gas groups and temperature classes it is approved for.

Which zones are your ATEX heaters certified for?

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Our ATEX heaters are certified for:

  • Zone 1 and Zone 2 — gas and vapour atmospheres
  • Zone 21 and Zone 22 — combustible dust atmospheres

This covers the full range of primary and secondary hazardous areas under ATEX classification. Several models also carry IECEx certification for international recognition outside the EU. See our ATEX heater range for model-specific certification details.

What is the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2?

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Zone 1 is an area where an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation. Zone 2 is an area where an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely in normal operation but may occur occasionally.

Equipment certified for Zone 1 is also approved for Zone 2 — but Zone 2-only equipment cannot be used in Zone 1. Always use your site's zone classification drawing as the authoritative reference.

What temperature classes are available?

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The temperature class (T-rating) defines the maximum surface temperature of the heater. Our range covers:

  • T4 — max. surface temperature 135°C
  • T5 — max. surface temperature 100°C
  • T6 — max. surface temperature 85°C

The correct T-rating must always be below the auto-ignition temperature of the flammable substance present on site. If in doubt, consult your site's Ex documentation or contact our technical team.

What types of ATEX heaters do you supply?

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Our ATEX heater range includes:

  • ATEX Drum Heaters — for 25–220L metal or plastic drums (Zone 1/2 and 21/22)
  • ATEX IBC Heaters — for 1000L intermediate bulk containers
  • ATEX Gas Cylinder Heaters — for 10L to 79L gas bottles
  • ATEX Base Heaters — for heating 200L drums from the bottom (multiple T-class options)

Which gas groups do your ATEX heaters cover?

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Most of our ATEX heaters are certified for Gas Group IIC — the most demanding classification, covering hydrogen and acetylene. Group IIC certification also qualifies the heater for use in Group IIA (propane) and Group IIB (ethylene) atmospheres, making it suitable for the widest range of industrial hazardous area applications.

Can ATEX heaters also be used in dust atmospheres?

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Yes. Our ATEX drum and IBC heaters are certified for both gas atmospheres (Zone 1 and Zone 2) and combustible dust atmospheres (Zone 21 and Zone 22) under ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU. This dual certification makes them suitable for industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals and chemical handling where both gas and dust hazards may be present.

Do I need a separate ATEX controller with the heater?

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It depends on the model. Some ATEX heaters include an integrated thermostat or built-in temperature control. Others are designed to be connected to an external ATEX-approved temperature controller.

The product datasheet specifies whether external control is required. HeatXperts also supplies ATEX-certified controllers compatible with heaters that require external temperature management.

Can you supply custom ATEX heaters for non-standard vessels?

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Yes. HeatXperts designs and manufactures custom ATEX heating solutions for tanks, vessels and equipment that do not conform to standard dimensions. We develop certified solutions based on:

  • Vessel geometry and dimensions
  • Required heat-up time and target temperature
  • Process media characteristics
  • Ambient conditions and zone classification
  • Required temperature class

Contact our technical team with your requirements and we will specify and certify a solution for your application.

What industries typically use ATEX heaters?

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ATEX heaters are used in any industry where flammable substances are stored, handled or processed:

  • Oil and gas — refineries, offshore platforms, pipeline stations
  • Chemical industry — solvent storage, chemical processing, bulk chemical handling
  • Pharmaceutical — API handling, solvent-based processes
  • Petrochemicals — plastics precursors, fuel additives
  • Paint and coatings — thinners, resins and coating materials
  • Food and beverage — alcohol production and storage

What documentation comes with an ATEX heater?

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Each ATEX heater is supplied with:

  • EU Declaration of Conformity
  • ATEX certificate number and certification marking
  • Installation, operation and maintenance instructions
  • Technical data sheet including zone classification, gas group, temperature class and ambient temperature range

How do I select the right ATEX heater for my application?

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Correct ATEX heater selection requires:

  • Zone classification of the installation area
  • Gas group or dust classification of the substance present
  • Auto-ignition temperature of the substance (to determine the required T-rating)
  • Ambient temperature range
  • Vessel type and dimensions
  • Required heating power and target temperature

Selecting an ATEX heater without a correct specification is a safety and compliance risk. Contact our technical team — we will guide you through the full selection process.