ATEX Inspections

ATEX Inspections (Hazardous Area Electrical Inspections)

ATEX inspections are essential for ensuring electrical equipment in hazardous areas is safe, compliant and suitable for use in explosive atmospheres. At HBS Electrical, our ATEX‑certified engineers carry out thorough hazardous area inspections across the West Midlands and surrounding counties, helping industrial sites maintain full compliance with ATEX and DSEAR regulations.

ATEX certified engineers

DSEAR Compliant

Industrial specialists

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What Are ATEX Inspections?

ATEX inspections are detailed assessments of electrical equipment installed in hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapours or dusts may be present. These inspections ensure:

  • Equipment is suitable for the zone classification
  • Installations meet ATEX & DSEAR requirements
  • No defects compromise safety
  • Documentation and certification are up to date
  • Equipment is maintained to the correct standard

ATEX inspections apply to:

  • Chemical plants
  • Fuel storage & distribution
  • Manufacturing facilities
  • Food production & grain handling
  • Pharmaceutical sites
  • Waste processing plants
  • Paint, solvent & spray environments

If your site contains explosive atmospheres, ATEX inspections are a legal requirement.

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Why Choose HBS Electrical for ATEX Inspections

Hazardous area work requires specialist training, experience and precision. With HBS Electrical, you get:

  • ATEX‑certified hazardous area engineers
  • Visual, close and detailed inspections
  • Industrial electrical expertise
  • Remedial works
  • DSEAR‑compliant inspections
  • Clear reporting & classification of defects
  • Fast response across the region
  • Initial vendor inspections

We help you maintain a safe, compliant and fully documented hazardous area installation.

View Hazardous Area Services

Request Your Quotation for Your Hazardous Area Inspection Today?

Book a site visit or talk to our team about your electrical testing requirements.

Our ATEX Inspection Process

Site Assessment & Review

We review your hazardous area classification, zoning and equipment register.

ATEX Inspection

Our engineers carry out visual, close or detailed inspections depending on your requirements.

Reporting & Certification

You receive a full ATEX inspection report with defect classifications and recommendations.

Remedial Work (Optional)

We can repair, replace or upgrade equipment to ensure full compliance.

What included in our ATEX Inspections

Visual Inspections

  • Checking for obvious defects
  • Ensuring equipment is suitable for the zone
  • Verifying correct installation methods

Close Inspections

  • Detailed checks without dismantling equipment
  • Gland integrity
  • Cable condition
  • Enclosure seals
  • Earthing & bonding
ATEX-inspections-detailed
Lighting-ATEX-Inspections

Detailed Inspections

  • Internal inspection of equipment
  • Verification of flamepaths
  • Checking terminals & internal components
  • Ensuring equipment integrity

Documentation & Reporting

  • Full ATEX inspection report
  • Defect classification (A, B, C)
  • Remedial recommendations
  • Updated equipment registers
  • Compliance documentation

We can also carry out remedial work following the inspection.

Industries We Support

We provide ATEX Inspections for:

  • Chemical processing
  • Food & grain production
  • Warehouses
  • Fuel storage & distribution
  • Pharmaceutical facilities
  • Waste management
  • Manufacturing plants
  • Offices
  • Paint & solvent environments

Request Your Quotation for Your ATEX Inspection Today?

Book a site visit or talk to our team about your electrical testing requirements.

Where we carry out our ATEX Inspections

These are the main local Counties that we serve carrying out our Hazardous Area Electrical Inspections. We also service clients UK wide.

West Midlands

Warwickshire

Staffordshire

Worcestershire

Shropshire

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Frequently Asked Questions

The maximum period between ATEX inspections for fixed equipment is 3 years. For portable equipment a close inspection should be done at least 12 months. Unless the portable equipment is opened regularly then a detailed inspection should be carried out every 6 months. Inspection frequency depends on the environment, equipment type and risk level. Many sites require annual inspections, while high‑risk areas may need more frequent checks. Your inspection report will recommend the correct interval.

We carry out visual, close and detailed inspections in line with BS EN 60079 standards. This includes checking equipment integrity, cable glands, seals, enclosures, earthing, bonding and overall compliance. We also support our OEM clients by carrying out Initial verification inspections.

The duty holder, site owner or responsible person is legally required to ensure hazardous area equipment is inspected and maintained. Our ATEX‑certified engineers support you in meeting these obligations.

Visual Inspection

An inspection which identifies, without the use of access equipment or tools, those defects, such as missing bolts, which will be apparent to the eye.

Close Inspection

An inspection which encompasses those aspects covered by a visual inspection and, in addition, identifies those defects, such as loose bolts, which will be apparent only by the use of access equipment.

Detailed Inspection

An inspection which encompasses those aspects covered by a close inspection and, in addition identifies those defects, such as loose terminations, which will only be apparent by opening the enclosure, and/or using, where necessary, tools and test equipment.

Initial Inspection

Initial inspections confirm that the equipment, installation practices, and protection concepts are appropriate for the hazardous area. These inspections are comprehensive and follow the requirements set out in IEC 60079‑14.

Periodic Inspections

Periodic inspections are carried out at defined intervals to verify continued compliance. They may be visual, close, or detailed, following Tables 1, 2, and 3 (or modified tables in accordance with section 5.7), depending on the level of scrutiny required.

Sample Inspections

Sample inspections are used to monitor long‑term trends rather than detect random faults. While they may not reveal issues such as loose connections, they are effective for identifying the effects of environmental conditions, vibration, ageing, or inherent design weaknesses.

Continuous Supervision

Continuous supervision involves ongoing monitoring of equipment in hazardous areas using visual or close inspection techniques as defined in Tables 1, 2, and 3 (or modified tables in accordance with section 5.7 and clause 4.5). If an installation cannot be reliably supervised in this way, it must instead undergo periodic inspection.

Yes — we inspect equipment in gas (Zone 0, 1, 2) and dust (Zone 20, 21, 22) hazardous areas. Our engineers are trained and certified to work across all ATEX zones.

Request Your Quotation for Your ATEX Inspection Today?

Book a site visit or talk to our team about your electrical testing requirements.

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NICEIC Electrician

HBS Electrical
62 Beachcroft Road
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 0HX

Related Services

ATEX Installations
ATEX Remedial works
EICR
Industrial Electrical Installations

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