General

A Hazardous Area is considered to be an area where an explosive atmosphere is or

maybe expected to be present which requires special precautions to be taken for the
construction, installation and use of electrical equipment.

Classifying Hazardous Areas

BS EN 60079-10 is the standard for determining the classification of hazardous areas,

giving guidance of determining the area classification and recommendations for
detailing the zones on drawings.

Zoning

Hazardous Areas are classified into three "Zones". The Standard EN 60079-10
provides guidance for classification of areas in which an explosive atmosphere may
exist.

These Zones are defines as follows:

An area where an explosive atmosphere is present continuously of for long

Zone 0
periods.
Zone 1 An area where an explosive atmosphere is likely to to occur in normal operation.
An area where an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal
Zone 2
operation.

The areas outside those classified as hazardous are referred to as "safe areas".

Hazardous Area Electrical Equipment

When designing systems where equipment is required for use in a hazardous area
environment the equipment must meet the requirements of the classified zone.

The following table provides details on the electrical specification for each zone.

Hazardous Area Zone 0

• Ex ia - Intrinsically Safe
• Ex s - Special protection, must be certified for use in Zone 0

Hazardous Area Zone 1

• Equipment suitable for Zone 0

• EX d - Flame Proof
• Ex p - Pressurised or Purging
• Ex q - Powder filled
 • Ex o - Oil Filled/immersion
• Ex e - Increased Safety
• Ex ib - Intrinsically Safe
• Ex m - Encapsulation

Hazardous Area Zone 2

• Equipment suitable for Zone 0 or Zone 1

• Ex n - Certified that the equipment is not capable under normal operation of
igniting a surrounding explosive atmosphere.