Services
DSEAR Risk Assessments
Comprehensive, operationally focused DSEAR risk assessments and hazardous area classification for UK businesses. Reports aligned with ACOP L138, EI 15 and BS EN 60079, designed to satisfy insurers, the HSE and fire authorities.
What is DSEAR?
The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require employers and the self-employed to assess and control the risks from dangerous substances that could cause fire, explosion or similar energetic events.
Dangerous substances include flammable liquids, vapours, gases, combustible dusts and anything that could create an explosive atmosphere. DSEAR applies wherever such substances are used, stored, produced or transported.
The regulations also require employers to classify areas where explosive atmospheres may occur — known as hazardous area classification — and to ensure that equipment and protective systems used in those areas meet appropriate ATEX requirements.
Dangerous substances covered
Who may need a DSEAR assessment?
Any business that uses, stores, produces or handles dangerous substances should consider whether DSEAR applies to their activities. The regulations are broad in scope and apply across many industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.
Assessment scope
Assessment complexity levels
The scope and cost of a DSEAR assessment is linked to the complexity of activities, the number of areas assessed and the time required on site. The following tiers help identify the appropriate level — final scope is confirmed following an initial discussion and provided as part of a formal written quotation.
Level 1
Low Complexity
- —Small flammable liquid storage (e.g. COSHH cabinets, aerosols, paints without routine transfer)
- —Diesel storage tanks with no active dispensing
- —Limited quantities of dangerous substances with no process hazards
Not suitable for routine heating, mixing, spraying or decanting operations.
Level 2
Medium Complexity
- —Routine handling or processing of dangerous substances
- —Mixing, blending or heating of flammable liquids
- —Pumping operations and small-scale manufacturing
- —Includes hazardous area classification and ignition source assessment
Appropriate for most manufacturing, food production and workshop environments with active process hazards.
Level 3
High Complexity
- —Zoned process areas with established explosive atmosphere risk
- —LPG systems, spray booths and bulk storage tanks
- —ATEX equipment review required
- —Hydrogen systems, EV battery installations
- —Multi-zone sites with specialist substances or processes
Detailed classification, equipment review and technical support. Report designed for insurer and regulatory submission.
An initial discussion is offered to help scope the appropriate level before providing a fixed quotation. There is no charge for this initial scoping conversation.
Specialist areas
DSEAR specialisms
In addition to standard DSEAR risk assessments, the service covers a range of specialist areas that require specific assessment expertise.
Spray Booths & Paint Spraying Operations
Risk evaluation for spray operations, paint mixing rooms and ignition control measures in flammable solvent environments. Includes hazardous area classification for spray zones and assessment of ventilation, extraction and equipment suitability.
EV Charging & Lithium-Ion Battery Assessments
Evaluation of hydrogen gas release, thermal runaway risk and ignition hazards in EV charging and battery storage installations. Growing risk area as EV adoption increases across commercial, residential and industrial premises.
LPG & Natural Gas Installations
Assessment of storage, pipework, regulators, appliances and associated equipment against regulatory requirements. Includes hazardous area classification around storage tanks, fill points and dispensing areas.
Flammable Liquid & Gas Storage
Assessment of storage areas, bunded tanks, dispensing points and associated pipework. Covers quantities, containment, ventilation, ignition source control and emergency arrangements.
Combustible Dust Risk Assessments
Process evaluation for woodworking, food production, recycling, metal dust and chemical handling operations. Includes dust explosion risk, zone classification, extraction systems and ignition source control.
ATEX Inspections & Equipment Review
Equipment compliance reviews and documentation for hazardous area equipment. Assessment of whether existing equipment is appropriate for classified zones and identification of areas requiring further specialist review.
Hydrogen & Alternative Fuel Systems
Specialist assessment for hydrogen storage, dispensing and refuelling systems. Emerging risk area with specific properties — buoyancy, wide flammability range and low ignition energy — requiring careful hazardous area classification.
What the assessment can include
A DSEAR assessment is carried out on-site and is tailored to the specific substances, processes and activities present. The scope depends on the nature and complexity of the operations involved.
- Identification of dangerous substances present on site
- Assessment of risks from fire, explosion and energetic events
- Identification of ignition sources
- Hazardous area classification
- Review of ATEX equipment considerations
- Assessment of control measures and precautions
- Emergency arrangements
- Maintenance and inspection requirements
- Practical recommendations for risk reduction
- Insurer-ready report format, designed to satisfy HSE and fire authorities
Hazardous area classification
Hazardous area classification is the process of identifying locations where explosive atmospheres may occur and categorising them into zones based on the likelihood and duration of the hazard. This classification supports appropriate equipment selection and controls.
Zone classification applies to flammable gases, vapours and mists (Zone 0, 1, 2) and combustible dusts (Zone 20, 21, 22). Hazardous area drawings and equipment schedules are available as part of the assessment scope.
ATEX considerations
The ATEX Directives set requirements for equipment and protective systems used in potentially explosive atmospheres. The DSEAR assessment can consider whether existing equipment is appropriate for the classified zones, and highlight areas where further specialist review may be required.
Insurer-ready reporting
Reports are produced in a format designed to satisfy insurers, the HSE and fire authorities. Practical, operationally focused findings — not box-ticking compliance paperwork. Businesses increasingly require demonstrable DSEAR compliance for insurance purposes.
Standards & guidance
Assessments aligned with UK DSEAR standards
ACOP L138
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres
The HSE's Approved Code of Practice and guidance supporting the DSEAR Regulations 2002. The primary reference for DSEAR compliance in the UK.
EI 15
Area Classification for Petroleum Installations
Energy Institute guidance widely used for hazardous area classification involving petroleum and flammable liquid/gas systems.
BS EN 60079
Explosive Atmospheres
Series of standards covering classification and equipment requirements for explosive atmospheres involving flammable gases, vapours and dusts.
DSEAR requirements depend on the substances, processes, quantities, ventilation, ignition sources and site conditions. A suitable assessment should be based on the actual premises and activities. This page provides general information only and does not constitute DSEAR advice.
You may also need
Fire Risk Assessments
Required alongside DSEAR assessments for most non-domestic premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Passive Fire Protection Reviews
Compartmentation and fire stopping are critical in sites where DSEAR hazards are present — containing any fire or explosion event.
Fire Safety Training
DSEAR and explosive atmosphere awareness training for staff working in or near classified areas.
Request a DSEAR Assessment Quote
Submit an enquiry with details of your site and activities. A member of the team will review the information and contact you to discuss the scope, assessment level and approach.