HAZARDOUS AREA CLASSIFICATION

1.0 What is Hazardous Area? A Hazardous Area can be defined as An area in which flammable substances in the form of gas, vapors or dust, mixed with air (Oxygen), is present in such proportion that it can explode if it comes in contact with an ignition source ( Thermal or Electrical ). 2.0 Why Classification of area is required? It is possible to avoid potential hazard by eliminating one of the component i.e. fuel (gas, vapors or powder form), oxidizer (air or oxygen) and ignition source (thermal or electrical). After identifying such area precautionary measure can be adopted at the design stage of project. 3.0 Factors affecting area Classification: Following points needs to be considered when identifying a particular area as a hazardous area A) B) C) D) E) F) Inflammability / Combustibility of material . Vapor density of material. Temperature of material. The process or storage pressure. The size of release. The Ventilation.

4.0 Classification of the Hazardous Area: The Hazardous area classification of following agencies is mostly in practice, 1 ) International Electro technical Commission ( IEC) . 2 ) National Electrical Code ( NEC ) 3 ) Bureau of Indian Standards ( BIS ) IEC / BIS definition of Hazardous area classification: Classification is done on zone based upon the frequency of appearance and the duration of an explosive gas atmosphere. Zone 0: An area in which an explosive atmosphere is continuously present or is present for long duration. Example: Vapors above closed vessel, closed containers or storage tanks, areas containing open tanks of volatile flammable liquid. Zone 1: Under normal operating, in this area explosive gas or vapors is present in atmosphere intermittently. Example: Flammable gases or vapors present in atmosphere under normal operating conditions, or due to frequent maintenance of equipments such as pumps valves etc, or due flammable liquid or vapor piping system present in an inadequately ventilated area.

Zone 2: This is an area in which flammable gas or vapors may not exist in normal operating conditions or if it occurs it will be for short period. Example : Accidental failure of gasket or packing. NEC Hazardous Area Classification : National Electrical Code defines hazardous area according to, the kind of hazard i.e Class and Group and the degree of hazard into Division. List of Chemicals covered under various groups as given in NEC, Class - I Inflammable Gases or Vapors Group A Acetylene Group B Hydrogen, Butadiene, Propylene Oxide, Ethylene Oxide Group C Ethylene, Ethyl Ether, Cyclopropane, Isoprene Group D Gasoline, Hexane, Naphtha, Benzene, Butane, Propane, Alcohol, Acetone, Natural Gas Division I Areas around packing glands, areas where flammable liquids are handled or transferred, areas adjacent to mixtures, areas where equipment failure releases gas or vapor. Division II Areas Adjacent to Division I, pits and sumps. Areas where flammable liquids are stored or processed in completely closed pipes or containers. Class - II Combustible Dust Group E Metal Dust Group F Carbon black, Coal, Coke, Dust etc Group G- Flour, Starch, Grain Dust etc Class - III Ignitable Fibers Not Grouped Rayon, Cotton, Wood chips

Degree of Hazard Division I Areas where cloud of flammable concentration exists frequently, periodically or intermittently near processing equipment and any location where conducting dust may accumulate. Division II Failure of equipment may release cloud, deposited dust layer on equipment, floor, or other horizontal surface.

Division I Areas where cotton etc manufactured and processed.

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