HAC TECHNICAL
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
SCOPE
Classification of areas where flammable gas or vapour hazards may arise and may then be used as
a basis to support the proper design, construction, operation and maintenance of equipment for use
in hazardous areas.
It is intended to be applied where there may be an ignition hazard due to the presence of
flammable gas or vapour, mixed with air, but it does not apply to:
a) mines susceptible to firedamp;
b) the processing and manufacture of explosives;
c) catastrophic failures or rare malfunctions which are beyond the concept of normality dealt
with in this standard
d) rooms used for medical purposes;
e) domestic premises;
f) where a hazard may arise due to the presence of combustible dusts or combustible projectiles
but the principles may be used in assessment of a hybrid mixture (refer also to
IEC 60079-10-2).
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
DEFINITION
Zone
Hazardous area classification based on the frequency of the occurrence and duration
of the explosive atmosphere
Zone 0
Area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is present continuously, or for long periods, or
frequently.
Zone 1
area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur occasionally in normal operation
Zone 2
area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation, but, if it
does occur, will exist for a short period only
Extent of zone
Distance in any direction from the source of release to where a gas/air mixture will be diluted
by air to a concentration below the lower flammable limit
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
DEFINITION
Hazardous area classification has two main objectives, the determination of the type of any
zone, and the extent of the zone
Zone Of Negligible Extend
The criteria for a zone NE classification should be based on the following factors:
• Ignition would not result in sufficient pressure to cause harm either due to the
pressure wave or due to damage that could cause flying objects or particles e.g.
broken glass from windows.
• Ignition would not result in sufficient heat to cause harm or a fire from surrounding
materials.
• For gas distributed at pressures above 1 000 kPag (10 barg) consideration shall be
given to a specific risk assessment
• A zone NE shall not be applied to gas distributed at pressures above 2 000 kPag (20
barg) unless a specific detailed risk assessment can document otherwise.
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
DEFINITION
Hazardous area classification has two main objectives, the determination of the type of any
zone, and the extent of the zone
Zone Of Negligible Extend
The criteria for a zone NE classification should be based on the following factors:
• Ignition would not result in sufficient pressure to cause harm either due to the
pressure wave or due to damage that could cause flying objects or particles e.g.
broken glass from windows.
• Ignition would not result in sufficient heat to cause harm or a fire from surrounding
materials.
• For gas distributed at pressures above 1 000 kPag (10 barg) consideration shall be
given to a specific risk assessment
• A zone NE shall not be applied to gas distributed at pressures above 2 000 kPag (20
barg) unless a specific detailed risk assessment can document otherwise.
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
HAZARDOUS AREA Classification METHODOLOGY
In determining where a release of flammable gas or vapour may occur, the likelihood
and duration of the release should be assessed in accordance with the definitions of
continuous, primary and secondary grades of release
• Initial P&ID and process flow diagrams should be available
• Identify various potential sources of release areas
• Existing Control systems as per Functional safety standards
• Similar Installations
The source of release approach can be summarized as follows:
• Identify sources of release
• Determine the release rate and grade of release for each source based on likely frequency
and duration of release
• Assess ventilation or dilution conditions and effectiveness
• Determine zone type based on grade of release and ventilation or dilution effectiveness
• Determine extent of zone.
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
RELEASE OF FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES
The release rate of a flammable substance is the most important factor that affects the
extent of a zone. Generally, the higher the release rate the larger the extent of the zone.
The basic elements are:
• The sources of release
• The grade of release
Each item of process equipment (for example, tank, pump, pipeline, vessel, etc.) should be
considered as a potential source of release of a flammable substance.
Mists which form through leaks of pressurized liquid can be flammable even though the liquid
temperature is below the flash point
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
Forms Of Release
The characteristic of any release depends upon the physical state of the flammable
substance, its temperature and pressure. The physical states include:
• a gas, which may be at an elevated temperature or pressure
• a gas liquefied by the application of pressure, e.g. LPG
• a gas which can only be liquefied by refrigeration, e.g. methane
• a liquid with an associated release of flammable vapour.
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
Ventilation
Ventilation and air movement have two basic functions:
• to increase the rate of dilution and promote dispersion to limit the extent of a zone
• to reduce the persistence of an explosive atmosphere that may influence the type of a
zone.
The two types of ventilation
• Natural ventilation
• Artificial Ventilation
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
DEGREE OF DILUTION
The effectiveness of the ventilation in controlling dispersion and persistence of the explosive
atmosphere will depend upon the degree of dilution, the availability of ventilation and the
design of the system. It is the measure of ability of ventilation to dilute the release to a safe
level.
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
ZONES and GRADES of release
The zones take into account the grade of release and the ventilation.
Zones could be zone 0,1 and 2 and Non- Hazardous Zones
There are three basic grades of release, as listed below in order of decreasing frequency of
occurrence and/or duration of release of flammable substance:
• continuous grade
• primary grade
• secondary grade
A source of release may give rise to any one of these grades of release, or to a combination
of more than one.
The grade of release generally determines type of the zone. In an adequately ventilated area
(for example in an open air plant) a continuous grade of release generally leads to a Zone 0
classification, a primary grade to Zone 1 and a secondary grade to Zone 2.
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
EXTENT OF ZONE
The extent of the zone depends on the estimated or calculated distance over which a
explosive atmosphere exists before it disperses to a concentration in air below its lower
flammable limit.
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
ESTIMATION OF SOURCES OF RELEASE
The extent of the zone depends on the estimated or calculated distance over which a
explosive atmosphere exists before it disperses to a concentration in air below its lower
flammable limit.
Release rate of Liquid
The Value of S for secondary grade of releases
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
Release rate of GASES
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
Release rate of evaporative POOLS
Basic EHS concised 16-07-2023
