Hazardous Area Classification & DSEAR Risk Assessments
Engineering expertise to help you identify hazardous areas, manage risk and achieve compliance.
Understanding where explosive atmospheres may occur is the foundation of safe plant design and operation.
Vital Ex provides independent Hazardous Area Classification studies and DSEAR Risk Assessments, helping organisations identify hazardous zones, understand ignition risks and demonstrate compliance with UK legislation and recognised international standards.
Whether you're designing a new facility, modifying an existing installation or reviewing legacy plant, our experienced consultants provide practical, evidence-based advice tailored to your operation.
Our services include:
Hazardous Area Classification
Accurate identification and classification of hazardous zones where explosive gas, vapour or dust atmospheres may occur.
DSEAR Risk Assessments
Comprehensive assessments to help duty holders meet their responsibilities under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR).
Area Classification Reviews
Independent review of existing hazardous area drawings and documentation following plant modifications, process changes or compliance audits.
Hazardous Area Consultancy
Practical engineering advice supporting equipment selection, installation, inspection and ongoing compliance throughout the asset lifecycle.
Supporting compliance with recognised standards
Our consultants have extensive experience applying UK and international standards, including:
- BS EN IEC 60079-10-1 – Classification of areas: Explosive gas atmospheres
- BS EN IEC 60079-10-2 – Classification of areas: Explosive dust atmospheres
- IGEM/SR/25 – Natural Gas Installations (including hydrogen amendments)
- Energy Institute Model Code of Safe Practice Part 15
- DSEAR (Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations)
Why choose Vital Ex?
Choosing the right engineering partner is about more than compliance. Our independent consultants combine decades of hazardous area expertise with practical engineering judgement, helping organisations reduce risk, support safe equipment selection and make confident engineering decisions.
We work with clients across Oil & Gas, Chemical & Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical, Food Manufacturing, Renewable Energy and Marine & Offshore, delivering technically robust, commercially practical solutions that help organisations operate safely and remain compliant.