Solvent filling machines
For flammable, low-viscosity or specialist solvent products where line controls and environment need review.
Read moreATEX and hazardous-area projects
ATEX filling machine options for solvent and flammable-liquid projects.
ATEX filling should be approached as a project specification, not as a simple product label. The liquid, vapour behaviour, flash point, container, site zoning, utilities and installation environment all affect the filling equipment.
- Specification-led ATEX filling discussions
- Useful for solvents, thinners and flammable specialist liquids
- Review filling, capping, controls and site conditions together
40+ yearsmachinery experience
UK supportspecification, installation and aftercare
Chemical focuscorrosive, foamy, solvent and large-container applications
Line integrationfilling, capping, labelling and conveyors
Specification
ATEX projects need the product and site in the same conversation.
A flammable liquid can change the specification of the filler, electrical components, pneumatics, controls, conveyors and installation plan. The correct answer depends on the liquid and the area in which the machine will be installed.
Information to provide
- SDS and product description
- Flash point and vapour considerations where known
- Fill volume and container type
- Manual, semi-auto or automatic target
- Site zoning, extraction, utilities and installation constraints
Choose your equipment
ATEX-related equipment options
Choose the option that best matches the solvent, container and production environment you need to handle.
Automatic chemical fillers
For higher-output projects where ATEX considerations need to be integrated into an automatic line plan.
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Complete fill-cap-label lines
For projects where capping, conveyors, labelling and coding also need to be considered in the ATEX discussion.
Read moreComparison
ATEX filling considerations
| Question | Why it matters | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Is the liquid flammable? | The liquid properties influence the required machine and controls. | Provide SDS and product details early |
| Where will the machine run? | Hazardous area zoning affects specification and installation. | Describe the production area and utilities |
| How is the container closed? | Open containers, caps and vapour control affect the wider line. | Review filling and capping together |
| What output is required? | Automation level changes equipment scope and layout. | State realistic daily and peak targets |
Note
Important safety note
These notes are intended to help you prepare an equipment enquiry. They do not replace a formal DSEAR, ATEX, site-risk or compliance assessment. Final specification should be confirmed using product data, installation conditions and competent engineering review.
FAQ
Chemical filling machine questions
Do I need an ATEX filling machine for solvents?
Possibly. The answer depends on the solvent, flash point, vapour behaviour, container, filling environment and site zoning. Send the SDS and site context for review.
Can ATEX filling be automatic?
Yes, but the full line must be considered carefully, including container handling, capping, controls, utilities and installation area.
Can a standard filler be used in a hazardous area?
Do not assume that. Hazardous-area projects need proper review before equipment is selected or installed.
Speak to Lancing
Need help choosing the right chemical filling machine?
Send the product, fill volume, container, closure and target output. Include SDS and compatibility notes where relevant.
Safety and compliance boundary
An ATEX-labelled component does not make a complete filling installation universally compliant.
The employer’s DSEAR duties, hazardous-area classification, process controls, ventilation, static control, product supply, building and operating procedures must be considered alongside equipment intended for the classified area. Final zone, equipment category, gas group, temperature class, marking, conformity assessment and installation requirements must come from the competent project assessment. This page supports commercial scoping only and does not replace that work.
DSEAR and equipment selection
Bring the workplace assessment and machine specification into one controlled brief.
HSE guidance explains that employers must classify areas where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones according to likelihood and persistence. The product SDS helps identify hazards, but HSE also makes clear that an SDS is not itself a risk assessment. Provide the relevant sections of the SDS together with the site’s DSEAR information, area-classification drawing and operating conditions.
| Project input | Why it affects the machine | Evidence expected |
|---|---|---|
| Product and operating temperature | Flash point, vapour generation, conductivity, viscosity and compatibility can change with temperature and formulation | Current SDS, formulation/concentration, temperature range and process description |
| Hazardous-area classification | Zone, extent, gas group and temperature class influence equipment and installation selection | Competent classification drawing and written basis, including normal and foreseeable abnormal releases |
| Ventilation or extraction | Release rate and vapour control affect the surrounding atmosphere and operator exposure | Site design basis, airflow or extraction interface, monitoring and failure response |
| Bonding and earthing | Conductive equipment, containers and transfer systems may require a defined static-control strategy | Connection points, verification method, permissives/interlocks and site procedures |
| Containment and drainage | Spills can create fire, exposure and environmental risks and may spread beyond the fill point | Bund or tray capacity basis, compatible construction, safe drainage and recovery plan |
| Complete line boundary | Cappers, conveyors, sensors, printers and operators may sit within or affect the classified area | Layout, battery limits, equipment list, control interfaces and responsibility matrix |
Static, vapour and spill control
Control ignition sources and releases through the whole transfer path.
Review the bulk container, transfer pump, hoses, filler, receiving pack, capper and waste route. Bonding and earthing arrangements need accessible connection points and a defined method of checking continuity; where a permissive is required, agree how the machine behaves if the connection is absent. Non-conductive containers and low-conductivity liquids require specialist consideration rather than a generic earth lead.
Vapour extraction or local exhaust is site- and product-dependent. Define capture location, duct interface, compatible materials, airflow monitoring, discharge route and the machine response to extraction failure. Likewise, a drip tray is not a complete containment plan unless capacity, drainage, recovery and safe cleaning have been agreed.
For specialist machine comparisons and current ATEX project information, use the dedicated ATEX Filling Machines UK site. HSE’s ATEX and explosive atmospheres guidance and SDS guidance should also be reviewed by the competent project team.
ATEX enquiry pack
- Product SDS, concentration and operating temperature
- Zone, gas group, temperature class and area extent where known
- Container material, size, neck and closure
- Fill range, tolerance and sustained output target
- Extraction, bonding, earthing, containment and utilities
- Line layout, downstream equipment and responsibility boundaries
- Required technical file, declarations, manuals and test records
FAT and handover
Test safety functions as well as filling performance.
The acceptance protocol should cover the agreed products and packs, controlled start and stop, emergency stop, loss of air or power, extraction or earthing permissives where specified, no-container/no-fill logic, spill response, alarm reset and restart. Record the equipment configuration, component markings, software version, settings and unresolved actions. Site acceptance must then verify the installed utilities, bonding, extraction, layout and operating procedures; a factory test cannot prove the completed site installation.
Assess
Competent site team defines DSEAR risks, zone and operating controls.
Specify
Machine category, materials, controls and interfaces are written against that assessment.
Verify
Documents, markings, safety functions and representative filling tests are recorded at FAT.
Validate on site
Installation, extraction, bonding, utilities, procedures and training are confirmed before use.
ATEX project FAQ
Questions that cannot be answered by a product name alone.
Does a flammable-liquid SDS automatically define the ATEX zone?
No. The SDS provides hazard information, but the workplace classification depends on the process, release sources, ventilation, frequency and duration of an explosive atmosphere. A competent area-classification assessment is required.
Is a pneumatic filler automatically suitable for a hazardous area?
No. Electrical and non-electrical ignition sources, static, mechanical heating, materials, valves, instrumentation and the complete installation still require assessment and the correct equipment specification.
Can the capper and labeller remain outside the zone?
Sometimes, if the site assessment and layout support that boundary. Product carryover, open containers, conveyor transfer and vapour release can affect where the classified area extends, so the complete process needs review.
What bonding and earthing information is needed?
Define the conductive items, receiving containers, transfer system, connection method, verification criteria and machine response to a failed connection. The design must suit the actual product and site procedure.
Can FAT confirm DSEAR compliance?
No. FAT can verify agreed machine functions and documentation before dispatch. The employer’s workplace assessment and the installed system, including ventilation, earthing, building and procedures, must be verified separately at site.
Which marking is required in Great Britain?
The applicable conformity route depends on the equipment, intended use and current product-safety law. The project should confirm the required marking and documentation with competent conformity-assessment advice rather than relying on a generic website statement.
ATEX project scoping
Start with the SDS and competent area information.
Send the product, containers, fill range, target output, site classification, extraction, static-control and line-layout information available.