Fire and Explosion Protection Design for Energy and Industrial Facilities
Fire protection design and explosion protection engineering form an important part of Chess Energy’s comprehensive engineering design services.
One of our key areas of expertise is the design of hazardous (Ex-classified) industrial environments, where fire and explosion protection solutions are developed in coordination with process, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation and control engineering.
Appropriate hazardous area classification and a well-defined fire protection concept form part of the foundation for a safe technical solution.
Because these considerations influence related engineering disciplines from the early design stages, addressing them in time supports safe operation, regulatory compliance and a lower risk of later redesign.
Why Is Coordination of Fire and Explosion Protection Design Important?
Fire and explosion protection considerations influence the work of multiple engineering disciplines within an energy or industrial facility.
Hazardous area classification directly affects, for example, the selection of electrical and instrumentation equipment, mechanical layout and architectural design.
Considering fire and explosion protection requirements early supports safe, authority-compliant technical solutions and can reduce the risk of later redesign and multidisciplinary clashes.
What Do We Provide as Part of Fire and Explosion Protection Design?
Our fire and explosion protection engineering activities focus on developing technical solutions that support safe and compliant facility design.
These tasks are handled in close coordination with process, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation and control engineering.
Fire Protection Design
Fire protection design includes the development of technical solutions that establish the facility’s fire safety framework, including:
Explosion Protection Design (Ex)
Design tasks relating to hazardous areas are carried out in coordination with process engineering and the relevant design disciplines.
The service may include, among others:
The explosion protection design defines the required technical solutions at design level.
Preparation of the complete operational explosion protection documentation is the responsibility of the operator; our design provides a technically sound basis for this subsequent documentation.
The Role of ATEX Regulation and Area Classification in Explosion Protection Design
ATEX Regulation
Equipment and protective systems used in hazardous areas are subject to ATEX requirements.
Regulatory Framework
The European Union framework is established by Directive 2014/34/EU, which is implemented in Hungary by Decree 35/2016 (IX. 27.) NGM.
ATEX Area Classification
Preparing the ATEX area classification is a key task in explosion protection design because it determines which categories and markings of electrical, mechanical and instrumentation equipment may be used safely in the relevant hazardous area.
Gas- and vapour-hazardous areas (Zones 0, 1 and 2) and dust-hazardous areas (Zones 20, 21 and 22) may require different equipment categories.
Impact on Multidisciplinary Design
Hazardous area classification therefore directly influences related engineering disciplines and the selection of suitable Ex equipment.
Occupational Safety Requirements
Hazardous workplaces are subject to specific occupational safety requirements, for which area classification also provides a fundamental basis.
Certification and Regulatory Supervision
For certain equipment categories, conformity assessment may also involve a notified body (NOBO).
In Hungary, market surveillance of Group II equipment outside mining applications is performed by the competent authority, while mining equipment falls under the competence of the Supervisory Authority for Regulatory Affairs (SZTFH).
Safe Operation
From the regulatory framework through area classification to the selection of suitable Ex equipment, this chain provides the basis for safe and compliant operation.
In Which Areas and Project Phases Do We Become Involved?
Fire and explosion protection activities may arise in several project phases, from concept development through permitting and detailed engineering.
We can become involved as early as the initial design phase so that fire and explosion protection requirements are incorporated into the overall technical concept in time.
Our services may include, among others:
In Which Industries Do We Provide Fire and Explosion Protection Design Services?
Fire and explosion protection activities can arise across all three of our industries, although the applied solutions and design priorities vary according to the characteristics of each project.
Oil and Gas Industry
In oil and gas projects, fire and explosion protection design is a key engineering task, particularly for hazardous area classification of surface production and gas treatment systems and the development of related technical solutions.
Geothermal Energy
In geothermal systems, fire and explosion protection can become important from the early concept stage because combustible gases released from thermal water may require specific technical solutions.
Process Industry
In process industry facilities, fire and explosion protection design may involve enhanced requirements due to flammable or specialist media and the risk of dust explosions.
These activities can be particularly important in chemical, paint and coatings plants.
Why Do Clients Choose Chess Energy for Fire and Explosion Protection Projects?
Chess Energy delivers fire and explosion protection engineering in coordination with the related design disciplines, supported by experience in hazardous (Ex) environments and an integrated engineering background.
This supports the development of safe and regulation-compliant technical solutions.
Experience in Hazardous (Ex) Environments
Fire and explosion protection is one of the key areas within our engineering design activities. We have significant experience in hazardous (Ex-classified) industrial environments.
Coordinated Multidisciplinary Design
We integrate fire and explosion protection requirements with process, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation and control engineering.
This helps reduce multidisciplinary clashes and supports more efficient project delivery.
Regulated and Auditable Engineering Approach
Fire and explosion protection requirements are managed in coordination with the related engineering disciplines, supporting consistent and traceable design decisions.
This helps reduce multidisciplinary clashes and supports more efficient project delivery.
Integrated Engineering Capability
Fire and explosion protection design forms part of Chess Energy’s integrated engineering service portfolio.
Project management and independent technical supervision are also available as standalone services, enabling engineering support throughout the project lifecycle.
Let’s Discuss Your Project
Do you have an oil and gas, geothermal or process industry project that requires fire and explosion protection design?
Let’s discuss how this design scope can be integrated with process and multidisciplinary engineering.
If you have further questions about the service, please see the frequently asked questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions – Fire and Explosion Protection Design
What does Ex area classification mean?
Ex area classification defines and categorises hazardous areas based on the presence of flammable gases, vapours or dusts.
It provides the basis for selecting appropriate fire and explosion protection measures and suitable electrical and instrumentation solutions.
Do you prepare the complete explosion protection documentation?
We prepare the design-level explosion protection plan, which can provide a technically sound basis for subsequent steps.
Preparation of the complete operational explosion protection documentation is typically the responsibility of the operator.
How does fire and explosion protection design interface with other disciplines?
Area classification and the fire protection concept can directly influence electrical, instrumentation and control, mechanical and architectural solutions.
For this reason, we manage these requirements in coordination with the related engineering disciplines.
In which industries do you provide fire and explosion protection services?
We provide fire and explosion protection services in the oil and gas industry, geothermal energy and the process industry.
The design emphasis differs by sector, but our experience in hazardous environments can be applied across all three.
What does ATEX mean?
ATEX is the European regulatory framework applying to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.
In explosion protection design, ATEX requirements determine which categories and markings of equipment may be used safely within a given ATEX-classified zone.
The European Union framework is established by Directive 2014/34/EU, implemented in Hungary by Decree 35/2016 (IX. 27.) NGM.
Can you also support permitting alongside design?
Yes. Permitting and related authority tasks are handled as a separate service coordinated with the design scope. Further details are available on the “HSE and Regulatory Compliance” page.
