Hazardous (Classified) Locations

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Introduction
In the News
4 dead in Georgia sugar refinery blast
PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. Volatile dust caused an
explosion Friday at a sugar refinery that resulted in the
death of four employees and injured dozens more. The
refinery was severely damaged and firefighters
continued to battle the blaze on Friday.
February 8, 2008
Hazardous Location Definition
The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines hazardous
locations as those areas
"where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to
flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids,
combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings.

NOTE: Hazardous Locations are also described as
Classified Locations
Could Include the Following:
Aircraft hangers
Service stations
Storage plants for volatile flammable liquids
Paint booths
Health care facilities
Marinas
Petroleum processing plants
Chemical processing plants
Typical Examples
1910.307(a)(1)
How Hazardous Locations
Are Classified
Class I Locations
1910.399 definitions
Flammable gases or vapors are or may be
present in the air in quantities sufficient to
produce explosive or ignitable mixtures

Class I Locations are divided into two Divisions
Class I - Division I
1910.399 definitions
Where gases or vapors exist under normal conditions
May exist frequently because of repair or maintenance
Might exist due to faulty equipment or processes

Class I - Division II
1910.399 definitions
Gases or liquids in closed containers or systems and would escape
only with accidental rupture or equipment breakdown
Ignitable gases or vapors are prevented by positive mechanical
ventilation and would become hazardous through failure or
abnormal operations of the ventilating equipment
Area adjacent to Class I Division I and to which ignitable
concentrations of gases or vapors might occasionally be
communicated
Areas that are hazardous because of the presence of
combustible dust.

Class II Locations are divided into two Divisions
Class II Locations
1910.399 definitions
Class II Division 1
1910.399 definitions
Combustible dust in air under normal conditions in quantities
sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures; or

Mechanical failure or abnormal operation of equipment releases dust
and might provide a source of ignition; or

Combustible dust of a electrically conductive nature (i.e. magnesium
and aluminum dust)
Class II - Division 2
1910.399 definitions
Combustible dust not normally in high enough quantities to produce
explosive or ignitable mixtures

Dust accumulations will normally be insufficient to interfere with the
normal operation of electric equipment or other apparatus

Accumulation on, in, or near electrical equipment may cause heat
build-up and be ignitable by equipment failure
Class III Locations
1910.399 definitions
Areas that are hazardous because of the presence of
easily ignitable fibers or flyings.

Class III Locations are divided into two Divisions
Class III Division 1
Location in which easily ignitable fibers or materials producing
combustible flyings are handled, manufactured, or used.
Class III Division 2
Location in which easily ignitable fibers are stored or
handled, other than in the process of manufacture.

Hazardous Locations:
Groups
A: Acetylene
B: Hydrogen, etc.
C: Ester, etc.
D: Hydrocarbons.
fuels

E: Metal dusts (conductive &
explosive)
F: Carbon dusts (some are
conductive, all are explosive)
G: Flour, starch, grain, combustible
plastic or chemical dust
(explosive)
No specific groups
Hazardous Location Summary
Summary of Class I, II, III Hazardous Locations
Classes Groups Divisions
1 2
Class I
Gases, Vapors & Liquids
A: Acetylene
B: Hydrogen, etc.
C: Ester, etc.
D: Hydrocarbons. fuels
Normally explosive
and hazardous
Not normally present
in an explosive
concentration
but may
accidentally
exist.
Class II
Dusts
E: Metal dusts
(conductive and explosive)
F: Carbon dusts
(some are conductive, all are
explosive)
G: Flour, starch, grain,
combustible plastic or
chemical dust (explosive)
Ignitable quantities
of dust are or
may be in
suspension, or
conductive dust
may be present
Dust not normally
suspended in an
ignitable
concentration
(but may
accidentally
exist). Dust layers
are present.
Class III
Fibers & Flyings
Textiles, woodworking etc. (easily
ignitable but not usually
explosive)
Handled or used in
manufacturing
Stored or handled in
storage
(exclusive of
manufacturing)
Professional Engineer
1910.307(g)(4)(i)
Classification of areas and selection of equipment
and wiring methods shall be under the supervision
of a qualified registered professional engineer
Zone Classification System"
(Alternative Method)
NOTE: The alternative Zone Classification System only covers Class I installations.
Zone Definitions
1910.399 definitions
Zone 0 location is:
Ignitable flammable gases or vapors are present continuously;
Ignitable flammable gases or vapors are present for long periods of time.

Zone 1 location is:
Ignitable flammable gases or vapors are likely under normal conditions; or
Ignitable conditions may exist because of repair, maintenance or leakage; or
Equipment breakdown may cause electric equipment to be a source of ignition;
A location adjacent to a Class I, Zone 0 location where ignitable concentrations of
vapors could be communicated

Zone 2 location is:
Ignitable flammable gas or vapor not likely or for short period only; or
Confined in closed systems or containers but could escape due to accident; or
Ignitable accumulation prevented by positive ventilation; or
Area adjacent to Class I Zone I from which ignitable concentrations could be
communicated
Groups (Zone)
The zone system (0, 1, 2) has three groups, designated
IIA, IIB, and IIC, with group IIC containing the most
volatile gases, and groups IIA and II B containing gases
or vapors that are progressively less volatile.

Substances classified under groups A and B in the division
system generally fall under group IIC of the zone system.
Zone or Division?
The major differences:
International versus U.S.
Allowable protection scheme
Surface temperature of equipment used

Both classifications are acceptable to OSHA

Often dependant on the preference of the Professional
Engineer who certifies the location.

Equipment used in the hazardous location will be
specified by the Professional Engineer
Design Features
1910.307(c)(2)(i)
Equipment shall be approved not only for the
class of location, but also for the ignitable or
combustible properties of the specific gas, vapor,
dust, or fiber that will be present.
Check Designation:
For Haz. Loc.
CL I, GR. B, C, D
CL II, GR. E, F, G
CL III
Design Features