IECEx Fans
When Safety Is Non-Negotiable, Choose Globally Certified IECEx Fans.
An IECEx certified fan from Woodcock & Wilson Ltd provides complete assurance that the fan has been independently tested and certified by an approved IECEx Certification Body (ExCB).
This certification guarantees the fan’s safety, compliance with international Ex safety standards, and suitability for operation in hazardous environments, including those with explosive gases, vapours, or combustible dust. By choosing IECEx, you benefit from rigorous third-party validation, ensuring reduced risk and the elimination of the need for costly additional testing.
Key Features of an IECEx Fan
IECEx certification provides enhanced safety assurance, confirming that equipment is manufactured in compliance with international IEC standards. By reducing the need for additional testing, IECEx helps lower costs while ensuring the equipment meets the stringent safety requirements for use in Ex (explosive) areas. The certification increases security by ensuring that all IECEx-certified equipment is built to the highest safety standards. With the ability to verify certificates instantly on www.iecex.com or through the IECEx app, this certification offers both convenience and confidence in the safety of Ex equipment.
Download our IECEx Fan Spec Sheet
An IECEx fan is a piece of industrial equipment designed, manufactured, and independently certified to operate safely in potentially explosive atmospheres. These fans are constructed in accordance with international Ex safety standards, specifically:
- EN ISO 80079-36
- EN ISO 80079-37
- EN ISO 60079-0
These standards collectively define the safety requirements for non-electrical equipment (80079-36/37) and the general requirements for all Ex equipment (60079-0), ensuring a comprehensive approach to hazard mitigation.
IECEx certification guarantees that the fan has undergone third-party evaluation—covering design, manufacturing, testing, and documentation—by an approved IECEx Certification Body (ExCB). This level of independent oversight offers complete assurance of safe operation in hazardous environments.
IECEx-certified non-electrical fans must comply with:
- EN ISO 80079-36 – Risk-based design requirements for mechanical equipment in explosive atmospheres
- EN ISO 80079-37 – Protection concepts for mechanical equipment (e.g. constructional safety, control of ignition sources, liquid immersion)
- EN ISO 60079-0 – General requirements for all Ex equipment, including marking, documentation, and mechanical design fundamentals
These standards cover not just ignition prevention, but also ensure traceability, mechanical integrity, and ongoing quality management.
True IECEx-certified fans are always accompanied by an IECEx Certificate of Conformity, issued by an approved IECEx Certification Body. This certificate:
- Clearly identifies the certified product
- Lists applicable protection methods and standards (including 80079-36, 80079-37, and 60079-0)
- Includes usage limitations or instructions for safe installation
Simply attaching IECEx electrical components to a non-certified fan does not qualify it as an IECEx product. The entire assembly must be independently tested and certified.
Woodcock & Wilson’s certificate number:
IECEx SIR 17.0076X
Verify at www.iecex.com or using the IECEx mobile app.
The ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU) allows manufacturers to self-certify non-electrical Ex equipment for Category 2 and 3 zones. This means:
- No independent design review or third-party testing
- No oversight of risk assessment processes
- Varying interpretation of standards by different manufacturers
- No guarantee of consistent or adequate safety
IECEx closes these gaps by requiring third-party testing and certification of every product against clearly defined international standards—including EN ISO 60079-0 for general safety compliance.
IECEx-certified fans are critical for operations where explosive atmospheres may arise from gases, vapours, or combustible dust. Common sectors include:
- Oil & Gas – Offshore rigs, refineries, and petrochemical sites
- Pharmaceuticals – Cleanrooms and chemical mixing areas
- Energy from Waste (EfW) – Maintaining safe pressure profiles in combustion processes
- Chemical Processing – Handling volatile substances in industrial plants
- Food & Beverage – Preventing dust ignition in sugar, flour, and grain facilities
- Renewables – Safe handling of hydrogen and biofuels
In any industry with a potential ignition risk, IECEx fans ensure safe, certified airflow management.
While both IECEx and ATEX provide regulatory frameworks for hazardous area equipment, the difference lies in the rigour, transparency, and international recognition:
| Feature | ATEX | IECEx |
| Scope | EU-focused | Globally recognised |
| Certification | Self-certification allowed for Category 2 & 3 | Independent third-party required for all |
| Verification | Manufacturer declaration | Accredited Certification Body (ExCB) testing |
| Traceability | Limited | Global public database |
| Standards | EN ISO 80079 (plus CE) | EN ISO 80079 + EN ISO 60079-0 |
IECEx certification is more robust, as it does not allow any form of self-declaration. All products must meet the full suite of applicable Ex standards—including EN ISO 60079-0.
IECEx makes verification simple and transparent:
- Go to www.iecex.com
- Enter the certificate number or search “Woodcock & Wilson”
- View full certification details, standards applied, and certified models
This real-time verification system ensures traceability and peace of mind for procurement, engineers, and safety managers alike.
Specifying IECEx fans delivers tangible benefits:
- Global market access – Avoid costly re-certification across regions
- Enhanced safety – Independently validated equipment ensures real protection
- Reduced liability – Demonstrate due diligence with traceable certification
- Operational reliability – Certified to rigorous mechanical and thermal standards
For industries working in hazardous zones, IECEx is the benchmark for trustworthy, internationally recognised explosion protection.
Woodcock & Wilson: Setting the Global Standard
Woodcock & Wilson is proud to be the world’s first industrial fan manufacturer to achieve IECEx certification for non-electrical fans, backed by full compliance with:
- EN ISO 80079-36
- EN ISO 80079-37
- EN ISO 60079-0
We are also the only manufacturer offering both ATEX and IECEx certified fans, giving clients the flexibility to meet regional requirements without compromising safety.
Our approach goes beyond compliance:
- Third-party certified by an accredited ExCB
- Product-level testing, not just design approval
- Verified materials, manufacturing processes, and safety margins
We provide end-users and OEMs with complete confidence that every IECEx fan we supply has been built and tested to the world’s highest Ex safety standards.
Choose Certified, Not Self-Certified
When it comes to explosive atmospheres, shortcuts aren’t just dangerous-they’re unacceptable. While ATEX self-certification is legal in some scenarios, it does not provide the assurance that IECEx offers.
We urge engineers, safety professionals, and procurement teams to:
- Reject vague declarations and unverified ATEX claims
- Specify IECEx-certified products with valid Certificates of Conformity
- Use the IECEx public database to confirm equipment certification
