General Principles

The methodology for classification of hazardous areas is covered by appropriate British and European standards. All likely ignition sources must be considered, and only equipment designed to an appropriate standard should be employed in designated zones. Catastrophic failures, such as vessel or line rupture are not considered by an area e tent and classification study. These abnormal events should be considered by a !reliminary "azard Analysis and a "azard and #perability $tudy. The most commonly used standards in the %& for determining area e tent and classification are described in the B$ E' ())*+ series of standards, the ,nstitute of !etroleum -odel Code of !ractice .Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations, /++)0 and in the publication by Co , A.1., 2ees, 3.!. and Ang -.2, 4Classification of "azardous 2ocations4, /++5.

Zoning
A hazardous area may be defined as an Area in 6hich an e plosive atmosphere is, or may be e pected to be, present in quantities such as to require special precautions for the construction, installation and use of electrical apparatus4. Area classification is a method of analysing and classifying the environment 6here e plosive gas atmospheres may occur so as to facilitate the proper selection an installation of apparatus to be used safely in that environment, taking into account gas groups and temperature classes. "azardous areas are classified into zones based on an assessment of the frequency of the occurrence and duration of an e plosive gas atmosphere, as follo6s7

8one )7 An area in 6hich an e plosive gas atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods9 8one /7 An area in 6hich an e plosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation9 8one :7 An area in 6hich an e plosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation and, if it occurs, 6ill only e ist for a short time.

1hen the hazardous areas of a plant have been classified, the remainder 6ill be defined as non;hazardous, sometimes referred to as <safe areas=. An area e tent and classification study involves due consideration of the follo6ing7

The flammable materials that may be present9 The physical properties and characteristics of each of the flammable materials9

The source of potential releases9 !revailing operating temperatures and pressures9 !resence, degree and availability of ventilation .forced and natural09 >ispersion of released vapours to belo6 flammable limits9 The probability of each release scenario.

These factors enable appropriate selection of a grouping, temperature class, zone type and zone e tent. This information may be summarised in "azardous Area Classification data sheets, supported by appropriate reference dra6ings. The zone so designated is a three;dimensional area of space, and thus 6ill e tend above and belo6 the plant item under consideration .if appropriate0, as 6ell as horizontally.

Electrical Equipment Design Codes/Selection

Methods suitable for Zone Methods suitable for Zone 0 0 or 1 Ex n $y!e of !rotection % (IEC 79-1&)

Ex s !ecial !rotection Ex d "la#e!roof if s!ecifically certified for enclosure (IEC 79-1) Zone 0 Ex ! 'ressurised or !ur(in( (IEC 79-)) Ex * 'o+der fillin( (IEC 79-&) Ex o ,il i##ersion (IEC 79--) Ex e Increased safety (IEC 79-7) Ex ib Intrinsic safety (IEC 79-11) Ex # Enca!sulation (IEC 79-1.)

Ex s !ecial !rotection ,t should be noted that references in the table are to the equivalent ,EC *+ standard as quoted in B$ E' ())*+;/? 7 /++*.

$election of electrical equipment for hazardous areas requires the follo6ing information7

classification of the hazardous area .as in zones sho6n in the table above09 temperature class or ignition temperature of the gas or vapour involved according to the table belo67 Maximum Surface Temperature, C /&0 100 )00 11& 100 Ignition Temperature of gas or vapour, C 0/&0 0100 0)00 011& 0100

Temperature Classification

$1 $) $1 $/ $&

$.& 0.& 6here applicable, gas or vapour classification in relation to the group or sub;group of the electrical apparatus as in the table belo6. Group I II2 II3 IIC Representative Gas Methane 'ro!ene Ethylene 4ydro(en

3or particular gases, the group classification provided in Anne A of B$ E' @))/? 7 /++A should be used. This is based upon the comparison of the -a imum E perimental $afe Baps .-E$B0 for flameproof enclosures or -a imum ,gnition Currents .-,C0 for intrinsically safe equipment 6ith Broup , methane. The sub;groups in Broup ,, are derived as sho6n in the table belo67 Su !ivision 2 3 C M"SG 0 059 ## 05& - 059 ## 6 05& ## MIC Ratio 0 05. 05/& - 05. 6 05/&

,f several different flammable materials may be present 6ithin a particular area, the material that gives the highest classification dictates the overall area classification. Consideration should be sho6n for flammable material that may be generated due to interaction bet6een chemical species.

Ignition Sources Identification and Elimination

3lames9 o >irect fired space and process heating9 o 3ires involving 6aste materials allo6ed to accumulate9 o %se of cigarettesCmatches etc9 o ,nternal combustion engines9 o Cutting and 6elding flames9 o 2arge scale fires started else6here on site "ot surfaces9 o "eated process vessels such as dryers and furnaces9 o "ot process vessels9 o $pace heating equipment9 o -echanical machinery9 o Electrical equipment and lights $pontaneous heating9 3riction heating or sparks9 ,mpact sparks9 Electric sparks9 Electrostatic discharge sparks7 2ightning strikes.

$ources of ignition should be eliminated from all hazardous areas by7

Avoidance of the use of direct fired heating9 !rohibition of smokingCuse of matches9 Control of the use of internal combustion engines .see Technical -easures >ocument on !ermit to 1ork $ystems09 Control of cutting and 6elding activity through a !ermit to 1ork system9 Elimination of surfaces above auto;ignition temperatures of flammable materials being handledCstored .see above09 %sing electrical equipment classified for the zone in 6hich it is located .see above09 Control of maintenance activities that may cause sparksChot surfaces through a !ermit to 1ork $ystem9 Earthing of all plantC equipment .see Technical -easures >ocument on Earthing0 !rovision of lightning protection.

Lightning Protection
!rotection against lightning involves installation of a surge protection device bet6een each non;earth bonded core of the cable and the local structure. 3urther guidance can be found in B$ ((@/ 7 /++: Code of practice for protection of structures against lightning.

Dust Explosions
"azardous area classification for flammable dusts may be undertaken in the same manner as that for flammable gases and vapours. 8oning as described above may be applied, replacing 4gas atmosphere4 6ith 4dustCair mi tures4. Classification of dusts relating to auto;ignition and minimum ignition current is undertaken similarly to gasesCvapours, but involves additional complications. The e plosibility of dusts is dependent upon a number of factors7

chemical composition9 particle size9 moisture content9 o ygen concentration9 inert dust admi ture.

,n general, dusts 6ith a particle size greater than @)) Dm are unlikely to cause an e plosion, and particle sizes belo6 @);*? Dm do not result in a reduction of e plosibility as size reduces. 3or this reason, most tests are carried out on *@ Dm samples as the 6orst case. ,gnition due to a hot surface is particularly likely to occur. The minimum surface temperature 6hich can cause ignition is about /));:))EC in most cases. B$ E' @))/? to B$ E' @))/+ describe the types of equipment that may be appropriate. 3or group , substances the ma imum surface temperature allo6ed is /@)EC 6here dust .coal dust0 may form a layer.

Factors for assessor to consider

,dentification of "azardous Areas Effectiveness of management and control of hazardous areas, 6ith respect to elimination of ignition sources9 >emonstration that by design, operation and location e tent of hazardous areas has been minimised9 Completeness of e isting area e tent and classification studies9 All flammable substances present have been considered during area classification, including ra6 materials, intermediates and by products, final product and effluents9 The appropriateness of the standards adopted for area classification9 Feference to impact upon area e tent and classification due to plant modification .see Technical -easures >ocument on !lant -odification C Change !rocedures09 Control measures in hazardous areas required during maintenance9 !rocedures for changeCtemporary 6orks .see technical -easures >ocument on !lant -odification C Change !rocedures0.

Status of Guidance
E isting codes of practice provide comprehensive information 6ith respect to best practice for hazardous area classification. The standards detailing selection of appropriate electrical apparatus have been updated to take into consideration ventilation effects.

Codes of Practice elating to !a"ardous #rea Classification / Flameproofing

"$.B0/?) $afe use and handling of flammable liquids , "$E, /++(. Appendi 5 describes the requirements for hazardous area classification. The use of B$ @5?@ and the ,nstitute of !etroleum Code <Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations7 -odel Code of practice in the !etroleum ,ndustry= !art /@ are recommended. The guidance also recommends that zones are recorded in a plan to prevent sources of ignition being brought in. "$.B0/(( 3ormula for health and safety 7 guidance for small and medium sized firms in the chemical industry, "$E, /++*. The guidance describes the requirements for hazardous area classification. The use of B$ @5?@, B$ (?(* and B$ E' ()@:+ are recommended. The guidance also provides recommendations for flammable dusts but notes that no area classification system is available. "$.B0@/ $torage of flammable liquids in containers , "$E, /++A. Appendi 5 describes the requirements for hazardous area classification. The use of B$ E' ())*+;/) and the ,nstitute of !etroleum Code <Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations7 -odel Code of practice in the !etroleum ,ndustry= !art /@ are recommended. The guidance also recommends that zones are recorded in a plan to prevent sources of ignition being brought in. "$.B0/)5 $afe handling of combustible dusts 7 precautions against e plosions, "$E, /++?. ,BEC$FC:@ ."azardous Area Classification 0. ,n preparation. ,nstitution of Bas Engineers. 2!BA Co! / Bulk 2!B storage at fi ed installations. !art / 7 >esign, installation and operation of vessels located above ground, 2! Bas Association, /++A. $upersedes "$.B05? $torage of 2!B at fi ed installations, "$E, /+A*. "$.B0/*( The storage of flammable liquids in tanks , "$E, /++A. $upersedes "$.B0@) The storage of flammable liquids in fi ed tanks .up to /)))) cu. m in total capacity0, /++) and "$.B0@: The storage of flammable liquids in fi ed tanks .e ceeding /)))) cu. m in total

capacity0, /++/9 !aragraphs 5@ to 5+ describe the requirements for hazardous area classification. The use of B$ E' ())*+;/) 7 /++( and the ,nstitute of !etroleum Code <Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations7 -odel Code of practice in the !etroleum ,ndustry= !art /@ are recommended. The guidance also recommends that zones are recorded in a plan to prevent sources of ignition being brought in.

"$.B0/*A The spraying of flammable liquids, "$E, /++A. !aragraphs 5( to ?/ describe the requirements for hazardous area classification. The use of B$ E' ())*+;/), B$ @5?@, B$ @@)/ and the ,nstitute of !etroleum Code <Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations7 -odel Code of practice in the !etroleum ,ndustry= !art /@ are recommended. "$.B0/A( The bulk transfer of dangerous liquids and gases bet6een ship and shore, "$E, /+++. Appendi : describes the requirements for hazardous area classification. The use of B$ E' ())*+;/) and the ,nstitute of !etroleum Code <Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations7 -odel Code of practice in the !etroleum ,ndustry= !art /@ are recommended. "$.B0*/ Chemical 6arehousing7 the storage of packaged dangerous substances, "$E, /++A. !aragraph /:: describes the requirements for hazardous area classification. The use of B$ E' ())*+;/) and the ,nstitute of !etroleum Code <Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations7 -odel Code of practice in the !etroleum ,ndustry= !art /@ are recommended. "$.B0:: Electrical apparatus for use in potentially e plosive atmospheres, "$E, /+A?. 'o6 superseded. B$ ?(A5 7 !art /7 /+*/ $pecification for electrical apparatus for e plosive atmospheres G !art /7 Classification of ma imum surface temperatures, British $tandards ,nstitution, /+*/. B$ @5?@ $election, installation and maintenance of electrical apparatus for use in potentially e plosive atmospheres .other than mining applications or e plosives processing and manufacture0, British $tandards ,nstitution. "as been superseded by B$ E' ())*+;/? 7 /++* and 6ill be 6ithdra6n on / >ecember /+++. !art / 7 /+A+ Beneral recommendations9 !art 5 7 /+*+ ,nstallation and maintenance requirements for electrical apparatus 6ith type of protection <d=. 3lameproof enclosure9 !art ? 7 /+** ,nstallation and maintenance requirements for electrical apparatus 6ith type of protection <i=. ,ntrinsically safe electrical

apparatus and systems9 !art @ 7 /+A5 ,nstallation and maintenance requirements for electrical apparatus protected by pressurization <p= and by continuous dilution, and for pressurized rooms. ,ntrinsically safe electrical apparatus and systems9 !art ( 7 /+*A Fecommendations for type of protection <e=. ,ncreased safety9 !art * 7 /+*+ ,nstallation and maintenance requirements for electrical apparatus 6ith type of protection '9 !art A 7 /+A) ,nstallation and maintenance requirements for electrical apparatus 6ith type of protection <s=. $pecial protection.

B$ @@)/ Electrical apparatus for potentially e plosive atmospheres, British $tandards ,nstitution. !art / 7 /+** Beneral requirements9 !art : 7 /+** #il immersion <o=9 !art 5 7 /+** !ressurisation <p=. .1ithdra6n. Feplaced by B$ E' @))/( 7 /++(09 !art ? 7 /+** !o6der filling <q=9 !art @ 7 /+** 3lameproof <d=9 !art ( 7 /+** ,ncreased safety <e=9 !art * 7 /+** ,ntrinsic $afety <ia=9 !art A 7 /+AA Encapsulation <m=9 !art + 7 /+A: ,ntrinsic $afety <ib=. B$ E' //:*;/ 7 /++A E plosive atmospheres G E plosion prevention and protection G !art /7 Basic concepts and methodology, British $tandards ,nstitution. !aragraph (.?.A. provides guidance on hazards due to lightning. B$ E' ())*+;/? 7 /++* .,EC ())*+;/? 7 /++(0 Electrical apparatus for e plosive gas atmospheres G !art /?7 Electrical installations in hazardous areas .other than mines0, British $tandards ,nstitution, /++*. B$ E' ())*+;/) 7 /++(, .,EC ())*+;/? 7 /++@0 Electrical apparatus for e plosive gas atmospheres G !art /)7 Classification of hazardous areas, British $tandards ,nstitution, /++(. B$ E' ())*+;/* 7 /++* .,EC ())*+;/* 7 /++(0 Electrical apparatus for e plosive gas atmospheres G !art /*7 ,nspection and maintenance of electrical installations in hazardous areas .other than mines0, British $tandards ,nstitution. B$ @+)A 7 /++) Code of practice for fire precautions in the chemical and allied industries, British $tandards ,nstitution. Beneral. $ection /), !aragraph @(.@ provides guidance on grades of release.

B$ @+@A 7 /++/ Code of !ractice for the control of undesirable static electricity, British $tandards ,nstitution. !art / 7 /++/ Beneral considerations9 !art : 7 /++/ Fecommendations for particular industrial situations. B$ (?(* Electrical apparatus 6ith protection by enclosure for use in the presence of combustible dusts, British $tandards ,nstitution. !art /7 /+A@ $pecification for apparatus. .1ithdra6n on / $eptember /+++. $uperseded by B$ E' @):A/;/;/ 7 /+++09 !art :7 /+A( Buide to selection, installation and maintenance. .1ithdra6n on / $eptember /+++. $uperseded by B$ E' @):A/;:;/ 7 /+++0. B$ ((@/ 7 /++: Code of practice for protection of structures against lightning, British $tandards ,nstitution. $ection + provides guidance on lightning protection of structures 6ith inherent e plosive risks. B$ *?5) 7 /++A Code of practice for earthing, British $tandards ,nstitution. 2ightning protection. $ection :5 provides guidance on lightning protection. 2!BA Co! * $torage of full and empty 2!B cylinders and cartridges , 2! Bas Association, /++A. -odel Code of $afe !ractice in the !etroleum ,ndustry, ,nstitute of !etroleum. !art / 7 Electrical $afety Code, (th Edition /++/ .*th Edition in preparation09 !art /@ 7 Area Classification Code for !etroleum ,nstallations, /st Edition /++) .:nd Edition in preparation0. Buidance 'otes on the ,nstallation of ,ndustrial Bas Turbines, Associated Bas Compressors and $upplementary 3iring Burners. ,-C:? /st Edition Hune /+A+, British Bas. British Bas Engineering $tandard Code of !ractice for "azardous Area Classification for 'atural Bas, BBCC!$C$"A/ /+A(, British Bas. Fecommendations for $torage, %se and 3illing of 2iquefied !etroleum Bas in Containers. 2!B ( #ctober /+A+. The 2oss !revention Council. !rE' /A5/;/ F,C Engines G $afety G Broup : Engines G 3lammable Bas and Iapour. B$ E' @))/? to B$ E' @)):) Electrical Apparatus for !otentially E plosive Atmospheres. British $tandards ,nstitution.

Fecommendations for the !rotection of >iesel Engines for %se in 8one : "azardous Areas, !ublication 'o. /)*, The Engineering Equipment and -aterials %sers Association, /++:. !-@A, >iesel;engined 2ift Trucks in "azardous Areas, "$E. .'ot in current "$E list0. Feplaced by "$.B0//5. ,C, Electrical ,nstallations Code .F#$!A /+*:0.