Hazardous Area Classification Questions - Instrumentation Tools PDF

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Hazardous Area Classi cation Questions 

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What is a hazardous area?

A hazardous area classification is one in which concentrations of
flammable substances are present or can be expected to be present.
These concentrations are at a level which requires specific safety

standards and precautions to be taken in the construction, installation

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A “hazardous area” is defined as an area in which the atmosphere

contains, or may contain in sufficient quantities, flammable or explosive
gases, dusts or vapours. In such an atmosphere a fire or explosion is
possible when three basic conditions are met. This is often referred to as
the “hazardous area” or “combustion” triangle.
In order to protect installations from a potential explosion a method of

analysing and classifying a potentially hazardous area is required.
The purpose of this is to ensure the correct selection and installation of

equipment to ultimately prevent an explosion and to ensure safety of
life.
The methods used to classify an installation can vary depending upon

which part of the world it is located, but generally there are two main
types of classification.
In countries that have adopted the IEC (International Electrotechnical

Commission) philosophy this is referred to as Zoning whilst in North
American installations are classified by Classes, Divisions and Groups to
ascertain the level of safety required.
How Hazardous Area classi ed ?

A Hazardous Area is defined by three main criteria, these being:

The type of hazard (groups)
Read More
The auto-ignition temperature of the hazardous material

(temperature or “T” rating)
The likelihood of the hazard being present in flammable
concentrations (zones)
Explain about Type of Hazard (Groups) ?

The type of hazard will be in the form of either a gas or vapour or a dust
or fibre.
The classification of these hazardous is primarily divided into two groups

depending on whether it is in a mining or above surface industry. These
are defined below:
Group I – electrical equipment for use in mines and underground

installations susceptible to firedamp Group II and Group III -electrical
equipment for use in surface installations
Groups II & III are further sub-divided depending upon the hazard.
Group II gases are grouped together based upon the amount of energy
required to ignite the most explosive mixture of the gas with air. Group
III dusts are subdivided according to the nature of the explosive
atmosphere for which it is intended.

Read More
ALSO READ : DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPLOSION PROOF

AND INTRINSICALLY SAFE
Explain about Auto Ignition Temperature or “T”

Rating ?
The hazard level of the gases increases from gas group IIA to IIC with
group IIC being the most severe.
Substances in this group can be ignited very easily with Hydrogen being
the most at risk to ignition. The temperature class is based on the auto-
ignition temperature of the gas.
If a hazardous is present the equipment used within the installation

must be given an appropriate “T” classifi cation in order to maintain the
integrity.
If that hazardous is, say, hydrogen, then all equipment used must meet
the “T6” rating. This means that all equipment used must not have a
surface temperature of greater than 85˚C.
Any equipment used that can generate a hotter surface temperature of

greater than 85˚C must not be used as this will then increase the
likelihood of an explosion by igniting the hydrogen in the atmosphere.
Read More
The Likelihood of the Hazard

The likelihood of the hazard being present in a concentration high
enough to cause an ignition will vary from location to location.
For most installations this risk is dependant upon how long the hazard
(gas, vapour, dust or fibre) is present.
In order to classify this danger an installation is divided into areas of risk

depending upon the amount of time the hazardous is present. These
areas are referred to as Zones.
For gases and vapours and dusts and fibres there are three zones:
classi cation of hazardous locations ?

Hazardous locations are classified into zones so as to facilitate the
selection of the correct electrical apparatus and to ensure that the
electrical design and installation meets the specified requirements to be
used in different areas. 
Read More
The zone classification is based on the likelihood and the duration of an

explosive atmosphere.
The zone classification for gases is divided into three zones, namely
Zone 0, Zone 1 and Zone 2 and for dusts Zone 20, Zone 21 and Zone 22.
De nition of hazardous area zones (AS/NZS

60079.10):
Zone 0
“Place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air
of flammable substance in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present
continuously for long periods or frequently”
As per experts experience that a Zone 0 condition is rarely encountered

and is limited mainly to confined spaces (such as the vapour space of
closed process vessels, closed storage tanks and closed containers),
although it can occur in larger rooms, such as chemical plants. From the
Institute of Petroleum (IP 15) an exposure exceeding 1000 hours per
year is often used.
Zone 1
likely to
of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist isAccept
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occur in normalRead
operation
More occasionally”
A Zone 1 classification usually includes locations where volatile

flammable liquids or liquefied flammable gasses are transferred; gas
generator rooms; inadequately ventilated pump rooms for flammable
gases or for volatile flammable liquids; and most other locations where
hazardous concentrations of flammable vapours or gases can occur in
the course of normal operations. IP 15 stipulates between 10 hours and
1000.
Zone 2
of flammable substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely
to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short
period only”
Generally, for an area to be classified as a Zone 2 location the following

conditions shall normally be regarded as the minimum requirements for
the area:
1. the area is so well ventilated that if an abnormal conditions arises,

ignitable concentrations of the gas or vapour are rapidly dispersed;
and
2. complete segregation from Zone 1 locations is ensured.
In this case an expose to flammable vapours or gases of less than 10

hours per annum is prescribed in IP 15.
Read More
ALSO READ : NEMA ENCLOSURE TYPES STANDARDS
Explain about Protection Concepts ?

There are varying types of equipment that can be used within these
zones to ensure that the potential for an explosion is removed or greatly
reduced.
This equipment must be designed and manufactured in accordance with

particular construction parameters known as protection concepts.
Essentially these concepts fall under four main methods.
These methods are detailed below along with a brief description of

some of the concepts:

Read More
Explain Ex i Intrinsic Safety ?

A protection concept in which the electrical energy within the equipment
is restricted to a level which is below that what may cause an ignition or
to limit the heating of the surface of the equipment.
There are two main sub types to Ex i protection, these being “ia”
and “ib”.

Read More
Type “ia” protection allows for the occurrence of two faults during
operation
Type “ib” protection allows for the occurrence of one fault during
operation.
Explain Ex d Flameproof ?
The equipment that may cause an explosion is contained within an
enclosure which can withstand the force of an explosion and prevent
transmission to the outside hazardous atmosphere.
This method of protection also prevents the hazardous atmosphere

from entering the enclosure and coming into contact with equipment.
Explain Ex m Encapsulation ?
A protection concept where by equipment that could potentially cause
an ignition is encapsulated within a compound or resin so as to prevent
contact with the explosive atmosphere.
The concept also limits the surface temperature of the equipment under
normal operating conditions.
Explain Ex e Increased Safety ?

Precautions are applied to the installation to ensure increased security
against the possibility
Read More
of excessive temperatures and sparks from
electrical equipment.
Equipment that normally causes sparks is excluded from use within this
method of protection.
Explain Ex p Pressurised ?
One process ensures that the pressure inside an enclosure is sufficient
to prevent the entrance of a flammable gas, vapour, dust, or fibre and
prevent a possible ignition.
Another process maintains a constant flow of air (or an inert gas) to

dilute to take away any potentially explosive atmosphere.
Explain Ex o Oil Immersion ?

All equipment that has the potential to arc and potentially cause an
ignition is immersed in a protective liquid or oil.
The oil provides an insulating method to prevent ignition.
Explain Ex q Powder Filling ?

All equipment that has the potential to arc is contained within an
enclosure filled with quartz or glass powder particles.
The powder filling prevents the possibility of an ignition. 

Read More
Explain Ex n Non-Sparking ?
A type of protection where precautions are taken so that electrical
equipment that has the potential to arc is not capable of igniting a
surrounding explosive atmosphere.
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This can be further categorized as follows:
Ex nA – Where components used in construction are non-sparking

Ex nC – Where components used in construction are non-incendive
Ex nR – Where components used are tightly enclosed to restrict the
breathing and prevent ignition
Ex nL – Where components used in construction do not contain
enough energy to cause an ignition
Explain Ex s Special ?
This method of protection, as its name indicates, has no specific

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In essence it is any method of protection which can provide a pre-

determined level of safety to ensure that there is no potential for an
ignition.
As such it does not fall under any specific protection method and may in
fact be a combination of more than one.
ALSO READ : DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTRINSIC SAFE

AND NON-INTRINSIC SAFE CABLES
Explain Ingress Protection ?
Another consideration in the protection of equipment in hazardous
areas is the safeguarding against the ingress of solid foreign objects and
water.
This is known as the degree of ingress protection and is commonly

referred to as the IP Code.
The relevant standard for the degree of ingress protection is IEC 60529.
An overview of the IP code as defined in the standard is detailed below:

Read More
Explain Operational Temperatures ?
All equipment used within hazardous areas has an operational
temperature band or limit. This is often referred to as the “Tamb” and
defines the upper and lower ambient temperatures of which the
equipment is approved for use in.
As defined in IEC 60079-0 the standard limits are – 20˚C to +40˚C.

Where the operation temperatures of the equipment fall between these
parameters no additional marking is required.

Read More
However, if they are outside these parameters than the specific

temperatures need to be identified.
What are the Methods of Explosion Protection ?
Explain Marking of Hazardous Area Equipment ?

All equipment for use in hazardous areas should be marked as
prescribed in 60079-0.
As a general rule this includes, where appropriate, such information as:
Company/Manufacturers name and address

Hazardous area certificate number(s)
Protection concept -Gas group(s)
Temperature class 
Ambient temperature
Read More range
Product identification
Serial number and year of manufacture
Electrical parameters
CE marking and ATEX notified Body ID number
ATEX coding -IP code
ALSO READ : ZONE VS CLASS/DIVISION
Explain Basic UL / CSA / NEMA Enclosure Types ?

Type 3 : An enclosure which is intended for outdoor use primarily to
provide a degree of protection against windblown dust, rain, sleet and
damage from external ice formation
Type 3R : An enclosure which is intended for outdoor use primarily to

provide a degree of protection against falling rain and damage from
external ice formation
Type 3S : An enclosure which is intended for outdoor use primarily to

provide a degree of protection against rain, sleet, windblown dust, and
to provide for operation of external mechanisms when ice laden
Type 4 : An enclosure which is intended for indoor or outdoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown rain and
Read More
dust, splashing water, hose directed water and damage from external
ice formation
Type 4X : An enclosure which is intended for indoor or outdoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection against corrosion, windblown
rain and dust, splashing water, hose directed water and damage from
external ice formation
Type 6 : An enclosure which is intended for indoor or outdoor use

primarily to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, hose
directed water, the entry of water during occasional temporary
submersion at a specified depth and damage from external ice
formation.
Type 6P : An enclosure which is intended for indoor or outdoor use to

primarily to provide a degree of protection against falling dirt, hose
directed water and the entry of water during prolonged submersion at a
specified depth and damage from external ice formation.
Why perform electrical equipment in hazardous

areas inspections ?
Perhaps you have heard the expression ‘if it’s not broken don’t fix it’.
The same can be said for Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Areas


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engineering and production managers to perform electrical inspections

which may involve the isolation certain equipment or partial plant
shutdown.
It is a fact that if the electrical inspector lacks the necessary experience,

the EEHA inspection could indeed do more harm than good, resulting in
damage to electrical apparatus, tripping of electrical circuits or extended
isolations.
For this reason only competent personnel should be employed for the
purpose of performing EEHA inspections.
Using a competent electrical inspector will provide the owners or users

of the plant with a condition assessment of the electrical installation in
hazardous areas to ensure that it is maintained in a satisfactory
condition.
It is also a requirement of AS/NZS 2381.1:2005 Section 4 that EEHA

inspections be performed on a regular periodic basis or under
continuous supervision by competent personnel.
Before embarking upon an inspection of electrical equipment within a

hazardous area, the hazards associated with the flammable gas or
vapour must be understood and the extent of the hazardous zone must
be clearly defined. It is a fruitless exercise to begin an EEHA inspection
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Internationally, the classification of hazardous areas has traditionally

been carried out by individuals representing the legal owners/users of
the plant.
Often these persons lack expertise in hazardous areas classifications as

well as the specific knowledge of the properties of the flammable
materials. As a result, inconsistencies may exist in the limits of the
hazardous zones.
However, in more recent times hazardous areas classification has

tended to be carried out by professional multidisciplinary engineering
consultancies specialising in hazardous locations classifications.
The electrical inspector performing the EEHA inspection should verify

that the existing area classification remains correct and that there have
been no changes to plant or processes that may affect the hazardous
zones.
Does all electrical equipment for use in hazardous

areas have to be submitted to a test house for
certi cation?
No, electrical equipment in category 1, i.e. suitable for use in Zone 0,1
and 2 must be submitted to a test house (now known as a notified body)
for EC Type Examination Certification. 
Read More
This also applies to category 2 equipment (i.e. suitable for use in Zone 1
and 2) .
Equipment in category 3, i.e. suitable only for use in Zone 2 need only be
subject to self certification by the manufacturer.
For all electrical equipment for use in hazardous areas, the

manufacturer must issue an EC Declaration of Conformity with his
product.
If an enclosure is marked II 2 GD and also EExd 11C

T5 T100 IP 66, what is the meaning of the upper
case and the lower case ‘d’s?
The upper case D is part of the ATEX labelling and indicates that the
equipment is for use in areas where the explosion hazard is Dust (the G
indicates Gas Hazard).
The lower case d indicates the method of Ex protection, in this case

flameproof (d from the German Druckefest Kapselung meaning pressure
proof enclosure).
I have an EExe electric motor which is labelled as

T3, I understand this to mean that the
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will not be any greater than 200°C. Is this the

case and do I need to consider ambient
temperature e ects?
This is true and if there is no ambient temperature range marked on the
equipment then the T rating is based on a range of -20°C to +40°C.
Any other range must be marked on the label.
A ameproof EExd enclosure has a 32mm entry

and we need to use it for a 20mm cable gland, is
it permissible to use two reducers to achieve
this?
No, EN 60079-1, the standard for flameproof equipment states that for
any entry only one reducer can be used, also that reducers or adapters
cannot be used at all with stopping plugs.
Also Read : ATEX Ratings, Intrinsic Safety, Hazardous Areas and

Explosive Atmospheres
References :
epitgroup.com
redapt.co.uk 
nealsystems.com
Read More

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4/14/2019 Hazardous Area Classification Questions - Instrumentation Tools

answers to test flow control constr

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Home » Hazardous Area Classification Questions

Interview Questions Standards

Hazardous Area Classi cation Questions 

Download Template (Free)

What is a hazardous area?

These concentrations are at a level which requires specific safety

A “hazardous area” is defined as an area in which the atmosphere

In order to protect installations from a potential explosion a method of

The purpose of this is to ensure the correct selection and installation of

The methods used to classify an installation can vary depending upon

In countries that have adopted the IEC (International Electrotechnical

How Hazardous Area classi ed ?

The auto-ignition temperature of the hazardous material

Explain about Type of Hazard (Groups) ?

The classification of these hazardous is primarily divided into two groups

Group I – electrical equipment for use in mines and underground

ALSO READ : DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXPLOSION PROOF

Explain about Auto Ignition Temperature or “T”

If a hazardous is present the equipment used within the installation

Any equipment used that can generate a hotter surface temperature of

The Likelihood of the Hazard

In order to classify this danger an installation is divided into areas of risk

classi cation of hazardous locations ?

The zone classification is based on the likelihood and the duration of an

De nition of hazardous area zones (AS/NZS

As per experts experience that a Zone 0 condition is rarely encountered

A Zone 1 classification usually includes locations where volatile

Generally, for an area to be classified as a Zone 2 location the following

1. the area is so well ventilated that if an abnormal conditions arises,

In this case an expose to flammable vapours or gases of less than 10

ALSO READ : NEMA ENCLOSURE TYPES STANDARDS

Explain about Protection Concepts ?

This equipment must be designed and manufactured in accordance with

Essentially these concepts fall under four main methods.

These methods are detailed below along with a brief description of

Explain Ex i Intrinsic Safety ?

This method of protection also prevents the hazardous atmosphere

Explain Ex e Increased Safety ?

Another process maintains a constant flow of air (or an inert gas) to

Explain Ex o Oil Immersion ?

The oil provides an insulating method to prevent ignition.

Explain Ex q Powder Filling ?

The powder filling prevents the possibility of an ignition. 

ORA Oxford Summer Camp

This can be further categorized as follows:

Ex nA – Where components used in construction are non-sparking

In essence it is any method of protection which can provide a pre-

ALSO READ : DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INTRINSIC SAFE

This is known as the degree of ingress protection and is commonly

An overview of the IP code as defined in the standard is detailed below:

As defined in IEC 60079-0 the standard limits are – 20˚C to +40˚C.

However, if they are outside these parameters than the specific

What are the Methods of Explosion Protection ?

Explain Marking of Hazardous Area Equipment ?

As a general rule this includes, where appropriate, such information as:

Company/Manufacturers name and address

ALSO READ : ZONE VS CLASS/DIVISION

Explain Basic UL / CSA / NEMA Enclosure Types ?

Type 3R : An enclosure which is intended for outdoor use primarily to

Type 3S : An enclosure which is intended for outdoor use primarily to