A three-dimensional space in which a flammable atmosphere may be expected to be present at such frequencies so as to require special precautions for the construction of equipment and the control of other potential ignition sources”, as per Energy Institute’s Model code of safe practice Part 15 Area Classification for installations handling flammable fluids, 4th edition, June 2015
When electrical equipment is used in, around, or near an atmosphere that has flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dusts, ignitable fibers or flyings, there is always a possibility or risk that a fire or explosion might occur. Those areas where the possibility or risk of fire or explosion might occur due to an explosive atmosphere and/or mixture is often called a hazardous (or classified) location/area.
According to the zones, suitable rated electrical and instruments are installed based on the zone it likely to be located.
Currently there are two systems used to classify these hazardous areas; the Class/Division system and the Zone system. Emerging practice is to adopt to Zone system based on Energy Institute’s Model code of safe practice Part 15 Area Classification for installations handling flammable fluids, 4th edition, June 2015, which is employed predominantly currently in industry.
Hazardous locations per the Zone system are classified according to its Zone which can be gas or dust. For gas atmospheres electrical equipment is further divided into Groups and Subgroups. Zone—The Zone defines the probability of the hazardous material, gas or dust, being present in sufficient quantities to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
Following methods are recommended based on (EI 15)
The overall methodology involves the following steps:
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