Before I start, Please note, I am not NeBOSH Trained, I am using common sense, and my company, being small will not pay for either me to do a NeBOSH or for someone outside to do a DSEAR assessment for us. Iknow I am not competenat, so please do not go down that alleyway. I have a job to do and I need some help please. I work for a small Bio-Pharmaceutical company on th IOM. I have to do a DSEAR assessment as part of our fire risk assessment performed last year. I am the H&S Coordinator for the site. We use flammable solvents in an extracted workway. (Airflow is very good). We should use the workways with sashes closed, but this is not always possible. We have used a gas detector and it has shown the airflow prevents buildup of a flammable atmosphere. However, My boss, wants to de-classify the workbays as very little of out small equipment is ATEX rated. I however, want to Class them as a Class 2, as the fire alarm will supress extraction and and belts can and will break. I see that although the potential is small, it is still present. My Boss however, knows the powers to be, will not spend thousands on new ATEX equipment. Can someone please advise. Thanks in advance Jon

What is the quantity of Highly Flamnmable liquids used and what is the minimum Air Change Rate? There is some HSE Guidance at:- Hazardous area classification and Laboratory operations http://www.hse.gov.uk/el.../atex/classification.htm

Who will be viewing the FRA? I assume your local fire authority, you could seek advice from them

quote=Zeoman], the Manx Fire Authority are rather laid back, Cheers Jon