Hazardous Areas Classification - North America

North American hazardous locations classification in classes,

divisions and groups

Electrical devices used in hazardous areas need to be certified for use according the
requirements specified for the area.
In North America certification is provided by

• Factory Mutual - An approval agency primarily concerned with insurance

underwriting.
• Underwriters Laboratories - An independent, not-for-profit product safety
testing and certification organization.
• Canadian Standards Association - A not-for-profit membership-based
association serving business, industry, government and consumers in
Canada developing standards addressing public safety and health.

The types of protection required depends on the risk involved in the area.
In general hazardous locations in North America are separated by classes, divisions, and
groups to define the level of safety required for equipment installed in these locations.

Classes
The classes defines the general nature of hazardous material in the surrounding atmosphere.

Class Hazardous Material in Surrounding Atmosphere

Hazardous because flammable gases or vapors

Class I are present in the air in quantities sufficient to
produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.

Hazardous because combustible or conductive

Class II
dusts are present.

Hazardous because ignitable fibers or flying's are

present, but not likely to be in suspension in
Class III sufficient quantities to produce ignitable mixtures.
Typical wood chips, cotton, flax and nylon. Group
classifications are not applied to this class.
Divisions
The division defines the probability of hazardous material being present in an ignitable
concentration in the surrounding atmosphere.

Division Presence of Hazardous Material

The substance referred to by class is present

Division 1
during normal conditions.

The substance referred to by class is present only

Division 2 in abnormal conditions, such as a container failure
or system breakdown.

Groups
The group defines the hazardous material in the surrounding atmosphere.

Group Hazardous Material in Surrounding Atmosphere

Group A Acetylene

Hydrogen, fuel and combustible process gases

containing more than 30% hydrogen by volume or
Group B
gases of equivalent hazard such as butadiene,
ethylene, oxide, propylene oxide and acrolein.

Carbon monoxide, ether, hydrogen sulfide,

Group C morphline, cyclopropane, ethyl and ethylene or
gases of equivalent hazard.

Gasoline, acetone, ammonia, benzene, butane,

cyclopropane, ethanol, hexane, methanol,
Group D
methane, vinyl chloride, natural gas, naphtha,
propane or gases of equivalent hazard.

Combustible metal dusts, including aluminum,

magnesium and their commercial alloys or other
Group E combustible dusts whose particle size,
abrasiveness and conductivity present similar
hazards in connection with electrical equipment.

Carbonaceous dusts, carbon black, coal black,

Group F charcoal, coal or coke dusts that have more than
8% total entrapped volatiles or dusts that have
been sesitized by other material so they present
 an explosion hazard.

Flour dust, grain dust, flour, starch, sugar, wood,

Group G
plastic and chemicals.

The specific hazardous materials within each group and their automatic ignition temperatures
can be found in Article 500 of the National Electrical Code and in NFPA 497.

Group A, B, C and D apply to class I locations. Group E, F and G apply to class II locations.

Temperature Code
A mixture of hazardous gases and air may ignite in contact with a hot surface. The condition
for ignition depends on several factors as surface area, temperature and concentration of gas.
Equipment approved receives a temperature code indicating the maximum surface
temperature of the equipment.

Maximum Surface Temperature

Temperature
Code
o o
F C

T1 842 450

T2 572 300

T2A 536 280

T2B 500 260

T2C 446 230

T2D 419 215

T3 392 200

T3A 356 180

T3B 329 165

T3C 320 160

T4 275 135
 T4A 248 120

T5 212 100

T6 185 85

Equipment that not exceed a maximum surface temperature of 212 oF (104 oF ambient
temperature) is not required to be marked with a temperature code (NEC).

Explosions of volatile liquids and gases resulting in severe fire conflagrations are real
hazards, involving high economic costs and often, injury or loss of life.

The types of protection required for electrical components in the areas depends on the risks
involved. In general the types of protection can be summarized to:

Dust-ignition proof

A dust ignition proof component prevents dust entering from outside. Arcs, sparks and heat
generated inside of the enclosure will not be able to ignite the exterior surroundings near the
component.

Explosion proof

An explosion proof component is capable to keep an internal explosion of a specific

flammable air-vapor mixture within the component enclosure without releasing burning or hot
gases to the external environment which may be potential explosive. The explosion proof
equipment must also operate below safe temperatures.

The potentially sparking parts are encapsulated in a special house which is designed to
prevent explosions by

• preventing the entry of hazardous material in

potentially hazardous concentrations
• encapsulate potential hazardous materials in a
encapsulation chamber capable to contain any
explosion or fire, preventing to spread outside
the chamber causing secondary explosions
Intrinsically Safe

An intrinsically safe component is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy

to cause ignition of a specific hazardous substance under normal or abnormal (fault)
operating conditions. (ISA-RP12.6 - Wiring Practices for Hazardous Area Instrumentation)

In simple terms this means that intrinsically safe equipment and wiring will limit electrical and
thermal energy to a level below what required to cause start an explosion.

Intrinsically safe equipment operates on low power levels. Safety barriers are grounded to be
effective under fault conditions and intrinsic safety is provided through voltage and current
limiters. Zener diodes and resistors limiting the energy are usually mounted away from the
hazardous areas. Failure to replace enclosure covers or bolts will not imperil protection.

Intrinsically safe wiring must be separated from non-intrinsically safe wiring by at least 2
inches in order to prevent the transfer of unsafe levels of energy to the hazardous area and it
is vital that planning and installation of intrinsically systems are done with care and attention.

Note! Intrinsically safety can be compromised after initial installation due to improper
maintenance or repair. It is important to ensure that such works are carried out properly.

Nonincendive

Nonincendive components are nonsparking and incapable of releasing sufficient

electrical or thermal energy to cause ignition of a hazardous substances under normal
operating conditions.
Hazardous Areas Protection Techniques
Instrinsically safe systems, purged and pressurized systems,
explosion-proof equipment, nonicendive circuits and components, oil
immersed equipment, hermetically sealed equipment, dust-
ignitionproof equipment

Hazardous Areas Classification

Hazardous areas are classified (North America)

• Class I - Spaces and areas with flammable gases or vapors. Subdivided in

Division 1 - where the substance referred to by class is present during normal
conditions, and Division 2 - where the substance referred to by class is
present only in abnormal conditions, such as a container failure or system
breakdown.
• Class II - Spaces and areas with combustible dusts
• Class III - Spaces and areas with easily ignitable fibers or flyings

More about Hazardous classification in North America here! and Hazardous classification in
Europe here!
Protection Techniques in Hazardous Areas
Common protection techniques in hazardous areas are:

• Dust-ignitionproof equipment - excludes dust, will not permit arcs, sparks

or heat to ignite exterior dust in the enclosure
• Explosionproof equipment - withstands an internal explosion without
igniting the external atmosphere
• Hermetically sealed equipment - sealed against the external atmosphere to
prevent the entry of hazardous gases or vapors
• Intrinsically safe systems - electrical circuits designed not to release
sufficient energy to ignite or explosive the atmosphere
• Nonicendive circuits and components - designed to prevent any arc or
thermal effect
• Oil immersed equipment - arc producing components are immersed in oil,
an arc will never reach the surface of the oil
• Purged and pressurized systems - spaces and equipment are pressurized
above the external atmosphere, hazardous gases and vapors are not able to
enter from the enclosure
Appropriate Protection Techniques

Hazardous Area

Protection
Technique Class I
Class II Class II
Division 1 Division 2

Dust-
2) 2) 1) 1)
ignitionproof
equipment

Explosionproof 1) 1) 1) 1)
equipment

Hermetically
2) 1) 1) 1)
sealed
equipment

Intrinsically 1) 1) 1) 1)
safe systems

Nonicendive
2) 1) 1) 1)
circuits and
components

Oil immersed 2) 1) 1) 1)
equipment

Purged and
1) 1) 1) 1)
pressurized
systems

1)
The protection technique is appropriate to the classification

2)
The protection technique is not acceptable for the classification
Hazardous Areas Protection Techniques
Instrinsically safe systems, purged and pressurized systems,
explosion-proof equipment, nonicendive circuits and components, oil
immersed equipment, hermetically sealed equipment, dust-
ignitionproof equipment

Hazardous Areas Classification

Hazardous areas are classified (North America)

• Class I - Spaces and areas with flammable gases or vapors. Subdivided in

Division 1 - where the substance referred to by class is present during normal
conditions, and Division 2 - where the substance referred to by class is
present only in abnormal conditions, such as a container failure or system
breakdown.
• Class II - Spaces and areas with combustible dusts
• Class III - Spaces and areas with easily ignitable fibers or flyings

More about Hazardous classification in North America here! and Hazardous classification in
Europe here!
Protection Techniques in Hazardous Areas
Common protection techniques in hazardous areas are:

• Dust-ignitionproof equipment - excludes dust, will not permit arcs, sparks

or heat to ignite exterior dust in the enclosure
• Explosionproof equipment - withstands an internal explosion without
igniting the external atmosphere
• Hermetically sealed equipment - sealed against the external atmosphere to
prevent the entry of hazardous gases or vapors
• Intrinsically safe systems - electrical circuits designed not to release
sufficient energy to ignite or explosive the atmosphere
• Nonicendive circuits and components - designed to prevent any arc or
thermal effect
• Oil immersed equipment - arc producing components are immersed in oil,
an arc will never reach the surface of the oil
• Purged and pressurized systems - spaces and equipment are pressurized
above the external atmosphere, hazardous gases and vapors are not able to
enter from the enclosure
Appropriate Protection Techniques

Hazardous Area

Protection
Technique Class I
Class II Class II
Division 1 Division 2

Dust-
2) 2) 1) 1)
ignitionproof
equipment

Explosionproof 1) 1) 1) 1)
equipment

Hermetically
2) 1) 1) 1)
sealed
equipment

Intrinsically 1) 1) 1) 1)
safe systems

Nonicendive
2) 1) 1) 1)
circuits and
components

Oil immersed 2) 1) 1) 1)
equipment

Purged and
1) 1) 1) 1)
pressurized
systems

1)
The protection technique is appropriate to the classification

2)
The protection technique is not acceptable for the classification
Dust Explosions - Critical Temperatures and
Concentrations
Critical temperatures and concentration parameters for some
common substances as coal, zinc, uranium and more
Sponsored Links
There are some basic rules to observe to see whether a dust is capable of causing a dust
explosion:

• The dust must be combustible

• The dust must be airborne
• The dust must have a size distribution capable of flame propagation
• The dust concentration must be within the explosive concentration range
• An ignition source with high enough temperature must be present
• The atmosphere must contain sufficient oxygen to support and sustain
combustion.

Critical temperatures and dust concentrations of some common substances where the
explosion dangers are acute can be found in the table below.

Ignition Minimum
Relative
Temperature of Explosive
Substance Explosion
Dust Cloud Concentration
Hazard
(oC) (oz/ft3)

Aluminum 650 0.045 Severe

Al-Mg alloy 0.02 Severe

Chromium 0.23 Strong

Coal 610 0.055 Strong

Copper 900 Fire

Epoxy Resin 530 0.020 Severe

Iron 420 0.100 Strong

Magnesium 520 0.020 Severe

Silicon 0.11 Strong

Tin 630 0.190 Moderate

 Titanium 460 0.045 Severe

Uranium 20 0.060 Severe

Zinc 600 0.480 Moderate

• 1 ft3 = 0.02832 m3= 28.32 dm3 = 0.03704 yd3 = 6.229 Imp. gal (UK) = 7.481
gal (US) = 1,728 Cu.In.
• 1 oz (ounce) = 28.35 g = 437.5 grains = 0.0625 lb = 0.0000279 long ton (UK)
= 0.00003125 long ton (US) = 0.000558 long hundredweight (UK) = 0.000625
long hundredweight (US) = 0.004464 stone = 16 dram

Classification of Gases
Oxidizers, Inert and Flammable gases
Compressed gases can be classified as

• oxidizers
• inert gases
• flammable gases

Oxidizers
Oxidizers are not flammable by them self, but will contribute to combustion as an oxidant. Fat
or oil is not acceptable in combination with oxidizers.
Some common oxidizers:

• Air
• Chlorine
• Fluorine
• Nitric Oxide
• Nitrogen Dioxide
• Oxygen

Inert gases
Inert gases do not take part in combustion processes and they do not react with other
materials. An inert gas supplied to a room or limited space will reduce the amount of oxygen
and limit a combustion process of a fire. Inert gases are used in extinguishing systems where
it is important to avoid water damage - rooms with electronic devices etc.
Some inert gases:

• Argon
• Carbon Dioxide
• Helium
• Neon
• Nitrogen
• Xenon
Flammable gases
Flammable gases together with air or oxygen in the right concentration burns or explodes if
ignited.
If the mixture is to lean or to rich the mixture will not ignite.
Some flammable gases:

• Acetylene
• Ammonia
• Arsine
• Butane
• Carbon Monoxide
• Cyclopropane
• Ethane
• Ethylene
• Ethyl Chloride
• Hydrogen
• Isobutan
• Methane
• Methyl Chloride
• Propane
• Propylene
• Silane

Gases - Explosive and Flammability Concentration Limits

Flame and explosion limits for gases - propane, methane, butane,
acetylene and more

The Flammable Range (Explosive Range) is the range of a concentration of a gas or vapor
that will burn (or explode) if an ignition source is introduced.
Below the explosive or flammable range the mixture is too lean to burn and above the upper
explosive or flammable limit the mixture is too rich to burn. The limits are commonly called the
"Lower Explosive or Flammable Limit" (LEL/LFL) and the "Upper Explosive or Flammable
Limit" (UEL/UFL).
The lower and upper explosion concentration limits for some common gases are indicated in
the table below. Some of the gases are commonly used as fuel in combustion processes.

"Lower Explosive or "Upper Explosive or

Flammable Limit" Flammable Limit"
Fuel Gas
(LEL/LFL) (UEL/UFL)
(%) (%)

Acetaldehyde 4 60

Acetone 2.6 12.8

Acetylene 2.5 81

Ammonia 15 28
 Arsine 5.1 78

Benzene 1.35 6.65

n-Butane 1.86 8.41

iso-Butane 1.80 8.44

iso-Butene 1.8 9.0

Butylene 1.98 9.65

Carbon Disulfide 1.3 50

Carbon Monoxide 12 75

Cyclohexane 1.3 8

Cyclopropane 2.4 10.4

Diethyl Ether 1.9 36

Ethane 3 12.4

Ethylene 2.75 28.6

Ethyl Alcohol 3.3 19

Ethyl Chloride 3.8 15.4

Fuel Oil No.1 0.7 5

Hydrogen 4 75

Isobutane 1.8 9.6

Isopropyl Alcohol 2 12
 Gasoline 1.4 7.6

Kerosine 0.7 5

Methane 5 15

Methyl Alcohol 6.7 36

Methyl Chloride 10.7 17.4

Methyl Ethyl Ketone 1.8 10

Naphthalene 0.9 5.9

n-Heptane 1.0 6.0

n-Hexane 1.25 7.0

n-Pentene 1.65 7.7

Neopentane 1.38 7.22

Neohexane 1.19 7.58

n-Octane 0.95 3.20

iso-Octane 0.79 5.94

n-Pentane 1.4 7.8

iso-Pentane 1.32 9.16

Propane 2.1 10.1

Propylene 2.0 11.1

Silane 1.5 98
 Styrene 1.1 6.1

Toluene 1.27 6.75

Triptane 1.08 6.69

p-Xylene 1.0 6.0

Note! The limits indicated are for gas and air at 20oC and atmospheric pressure.

It is important that areas where flammable gases are stored are well ventilated. When
designing the ventilation systems, be aware of the specific gravity of the actual gas. The gas
mixture from a leakage will not be homogeneous. and a light gas concentrates along the
ceiling. A heavy gas concentrates along the floor.
Ventilation, natural or mechanical, must be sufficient to limit the concentration of flammable
gases or vapors to a maximum level of 25% of their "Lower Explosive or Flammable Limit"
(LEL/LFL).

• Minimum ventilation required: 1 cfm/sq.ft.

• Recommended ventilation: 2 cfm/sq.ft or 12 air changes per hour - half the air
supplied and exhausted near the ceiling and half the air supplied and
exhausted near the floor

Gases - Specific Gravities

Specific gravity of air, ammonia, butadiene, carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide and some other common gases

The specific gravity of some common gases can be found in the table below:

Specific Gravity1)
Gas
- SG -

Acetylene (ethyne) -
0.90
C2H2

Air1) 1.000

Alcohol vapor 1.601

Ammonia - NH3 0.59

Argon - Ar 1.38

Arsine 2.69
 Benzene - C6H6 2.6961

Blast Furnace gas 1.02

Butadiene - C4H6 1.87

Butane - C4H10 2.0061

1-Butene (Butylene)-
1.94
C4H8

Isobutene - C4H8 1.94

Carbon dioxide - CO2 1.5189

Carbon monoxide - CO 0.9667

Carbureted Water Gas 0.63

Chlorine - Cl2 2.486

Coke Oven Gas 0.44

Cyclobutane 1.938

Cyclopentane 2.422

Cyclopropane 1.451

Decane 4.915

Deutrium - D2 0.070

Digestive Gas (Sewage

0.8
or Biogas)

Ethane - C2H6 1.0378

Ether vapor 2.586

Ethyl Chloride - C2H5Cl 2.23

Ethylene (Ethene) - C2H4 0.9683

Fluorine 1.31

Helium - He 0.138

Heptanes 3.459

Hexane 2.973

Hydrogen 0.0696

Hydrogen chloride - HCl 1.268

Hydrogen sulfide - H2S 1.1763

Hydrofluoric acid 2.370

Hydrochloric acid 1.261

Illuminating gas 0.4

Isobutane 2.01

Isopentane 2.48

Krypton 2.89

Marsh gas 0.555

Mercury vapor 6.940

Methane - CH4 0.5537

Methyl Chloride 1.74

Natural Gas (typical) 0.60 - 0.70

Neon 0.697

Nitric oxide - NO 1.037

Nitrogen - N2 (pure) 0.9669

Nitrogen - N2
0.9723
(atmospheric)

Nitrous oxide - N2O 1.530

Nonane 4.428

Octane 3.944

Oxygen - O2 1.1044

Ozone 1.660

Pentane 2.487

Phosgene 1.39

Propane - C3H8 1.5219

Propene (Propylene) -
1.4523
C3H6

R-11 4.742

R-12 4.174

R-22 2.985

R-114 5.9

R-123 5.279
 R-134a 3.522

Sasol 0.42

Silane 1.11

Sulfur Dioxide - SO2 2.264

Toluene-Methylbenzene 3.1082

Water gas (bituminous) 0.71

Water vapor 0.6218

Xenon 4.53

1)
NTP - Normal Temperature and Pressure - is defined as air at 20oC (293.15 K, 68oF) and 1
atm ( 101.325 kN/m2, 101.325 kPa, 14.7 psia, 0 psig, 30 in Hg, 760 torr)

Since specific gravity is the ratio between the density (mass per unit volume) of the actual gas
and the density of air, specific gravity has no dimension.

STP - Standard Temperature and Pressure & NTP - Normal

Temperature and Pressure
The definition of STP - Standard Temperature and Pressure and NTP -
Normal Temperature and Pressure

Since temperature and air pressure may vary form place to place it is necessary with
standard reference conditions for testing and documentation of chemical and physical
processes.
Note! There is a variety of alternative definitions for the standard reference conditions of
temperature and pressure. STP, NTP and other definitions should therefore be used with
care. It is always important to know the reference temperature and reference pressure for the
actual definition used.
STP - Standard Temperature and Pressure
STP is commonly used to define standard conditions for temperature and pressure which is
important for the measurements and documentation of chemical and physical processes:

• STP - Standard Temperature and Pressure - is defined by IUPAC

(International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) as air at 0oC (273.15 K,
32 oF) and 105 pascals (1 Pa = 10-6 N/mm2 = 10-5 bar = 0.1020 kp/m2 =
1.02x10-4 m H2O = 9.869x10-6 atm = 1.45x10-4 psi (lbf/in2))
• STP - commonly used in the Imperial and USA system of units - as air at 60
o
F (520 oR) and 14.696 psia (15.6oC, 1 atm)
Note that the earlier IUAPC definition of STP to 273.15 K and 1 atm (1.01325 105 Pa) is
discontinued.
NTP - Normal Temperature and Pressure
NTP is commonly used as a standard condition for testing and documentation of fan
capacities:

• NTP - Normal Temperature and Pressure - is defined as air at 20oC (293.15

K, 68oF) and 1 atm ( 101.325 kN/m2, 101.325 kPa, 14.7 psia, 0 psig, 29.92 in
Hg, 760 torr). Density 1.204 kg/m3 (0.075 pounds per cubic foot)

SATP - Standard Ambient Temperature and Pressure

SATP - Standard Ambient Temperature and Pressure is also used in chemistry as a
reference:

• SATP - Standard Ambient Temperature and Pressure is a reference with

temperature of 25 degC (298.15 K) and pressure of 101 kPa.

ISA - International Standard Atmosphere

ISA - International Standard Atmosphere is used as a reference to aircraft performance:

• ISA - International Standard Atmosphere is defined to 101.325 kPa, 15 degC

and 0% humidity.

ICAO Standard Atmosphere

Standard model of the atmosphere adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO):

• Atmospheric pressure: 760 mmHg = 14.7 lbs-force/sq inch

• Temperature: 15oC = 288.15 K = 59oF