17071

10-Mar-10
1 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

level: 5

credit: 12

planned review date: August 2002

sub-field: Electrical Engineering

purpose: This unit standard is intended for electrical contractors. It

covers design of electrical installations for hazardous areas
within the scope of: selecting and locating explosion-
protected equipment, wiring systems and other items that
may influence the explosion-protection technique(s); and
area classifications given in hazardous area layout drawings
or area classification and zonings from similar situations
previously classified, such as those given in standards.

People credited with this unit standard are able to: verify
hazardous classification for the area; select and check
equipment, wiring, and accessories; and document design.

entry information: Open.

accreditation option: Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and

teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.

moderation option: A centrally established and directed national moderation

system has been set up by the ElectroTechnology Industry
Training Organisation.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
2 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

special notes: 1 This unit standard aligns with Australian Competency

Standard CS-EEHA-001-1998, Unit NEE011, and with
unit UTE NES707 A in the Australian Electrotechnology
training package (both copyright Australian National
Training Authority), which were developed under the
guidance of a joint Australia/New Zealand advisory
panel (Standards Australia Committee P/12 - EEHA -
Competency Standards Advisory Panel).

2 This unit standard should only be assessed after

candidates have qualified as electricians by achieving
either a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering
(Electrician) (Level 4), Trade Certificate in General
Electrical Wiring, or Electrical Registration as an
electrician.
Similar qualifications relating to industrial measurement
and control where the explosion-protected equipment
operates at extra-low voltage, are acceptable
alternatives.

3 Range: competency can be demonstrated in relation to

any classified hazardous area, and for any of the
following explosion-protection technique(s): Flameproof
- Ex d, Increased safety - Ex e, Intrinsically safe - Ex i,
Non-sparking - Ex n, Dust-excluding ignition-proof -
DIP, Pressurisation - Ex p, and Mixed explosion
protection techniques.
In order to maintain equivalence with the corresponding
Australian competency standards, certification of
competency must clearly identify the explosion
protection technique(s) in which the practical aspects of
competency were assessed.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
3 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

Note that the underpinning knowledge must cover all of

the techniques mentioned in Special Note 6.

4 Achievement of competency:
Achievement of competency in this unit standard is
based on evidence of the following:
• Understanding of the underpinning knowledge
described in Special Note 6 below.
• Consistent performance for the elements of this
unit standard.
• Demonstration of the following aspects of
competency:
- interpreting area classification
documentation
- classifying area from standards
- documenting area classification
- selecting equipment for a given classified
area
- selecting wiring systems for a given
classified area
- checking equipment certification for
suitability for a given classified area.
Competency could be assessed in a simulated
environment which includes explosion-protection
equipment and wiring systems similar to those
encountered in a real workplace.
Assessment should take into account variations
between particular industry sectors and different
enterprises. For example, equipment used in
underground coal mining will be different in some
respects to that used in petrochemical plant.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
4 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

5 Legislation, standards, and codes of practice relevant to

this unit standard:
Electricity Act 1992;
Electricity Regulations 1997;
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and
associated regulations;
NZECP 24:1993 - New Zealand Electrical Code of
Practice for: The safety of electricity in a hazardous
area (Ministry of Commerce, ISSN 0114-0663);
and their subsequent amendments and replacements.
ECP24 contains an extensive list of standards
applicable to hazardous areas.

6 Underpinning knowledge
Evidence of knowledge related to hazardous areas, and
to flameproof enclosures (Ex d), increased safety
equipment (Ex e), non-sparking (Ex n), intrinsic safety
(Ex i), pressurisation (Ex p), and dust-exclusion ignition-
proof (DIP) explosion-protection techniques, and any
other technique relevant to a particular workplace is
required.
The following is a summary of knowledge related to
hazardous areas:
• Safe working requirements and procedures
• Definition of a hazardous area
• Conditions that lead to an explosion
• Meaning of the terms 'Combustion', 'Detonation'
and 'Propagation'
• Occupational safety and health responsibilities
• Parties responsible for safety of hazardous areas
• Definition of Classes and Zones;

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
5 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

• Identify classes, zones and groups from system

design documentation
• Processes for classifying a hazardous area based
on specific occupancy standards
• Interpretation of hazardous area classification
documentation
• Characteristics of an explosive atmosphere
(LEL/UEL) and relationship to ignition energy
• Combustible properties of materials.
The following is a summary of knowledge of explosion-
protected equipment and applicable to an explosion-
protection technique:
• Method of explosion protection
• Mechanisms of explosion protection employed by
a technique
• Interpretation of installation limitations specified in
certification and approval documentation
• Requirements of electrical protection devices
• Equipment - application; limitations
• Identification of gas grouping and temperature
class of equipment
• Temperature limitations of wiring and equipment
• Limitations on non-metallic and specific alloy
enclosures
• Interpretation of equipment marking
• Application, selection and use of fasteners
• Requirements for testing circuits
• Requirements for initial inspection of installations
• Standards for terminating and connecting cables

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
6 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

• Relationship between equipment, cables and

glands
• Standards and requirements for the installation of
equipment and wiring
• Purpose, selection and application of sealing
compounds
• Actions and conditions that will void explosion-
protection
• Standards for wiring systems in hazardous areas;
• Requirements for establishing and maintaining
hazardous area records (site dossier)
• Arrangements for approval for use of equipment in
a hazardous area
• Requirements and processes for selecting
equipment
• Requirements and processes for selecting wiring
systems and cables
• Purpose and arrangement for certifying explosion-
protected equipment.
The credit allocation for this unit standard includes full
allowance for the above underpinning knowledge.

7 Glossary
Certification of equipment - A means of verifying that
equipment intended for use in a hazardous area
complies with the accepted standards.
Classification of hazardous areas - A concept, which is
accepted internationally, of dealing with the risk of fire
and explosion by area classification.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
7 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

Explosion protection - Technique of protection which is

applied to equipment or parts of equipment to prevent
the ignition of flammable vapours and gases or
combustible dusts in hazardous areas. See Explosion-
protected equipment.
Explosion-protected equipment – Equipment using the
technique which is applied to equipment or parts of
equipment to prevent the ignition of flammable vapours
and gases or combustible dusts in hazardous areas.
Such equipment employs one or more of the following
techniques:
• Flameproof enclosure - Ex d
• Increased safety equipment - Ex e
• Non-sparking - Ex n
• Intrinsic safety - Ex i
• Dust-Exclusion ignition-proof - DIP
• Encapsulation - Ex m
• Oil immersion - Ex o
• Pressurised enclosure - Ex p
• Purging - Ex pl
• Sand-filled - Ex q
• Special protection - Ex s
• Ventilation - Ex v
• Hermetic sealing - Ex h.
Gas groups - Classification of electrical equipment for
use in gas or vapour atmospheres according to groups
and sub-groups of gases and vapours.
Hazardous area records - Auditable documentation that
shows that a hazardous area has been appropriately
classified and the electrical equipment complies with
the appropriate certification and other explosion-
protection requirements specific to the site.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
8 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

Under Australian/New Zealand Standards or Codes

these records are referred to as a ‘Verification Dossier’
and include:
• Hazardous area classification drawings and
justifications
• The explosion-protection systems design drawings
and specifications
• Certification documents for each item type of
explosion-protected equipment
• Inspection, testing and maintenance schedules
and reports
• Re-classification and authorised modifications
documentation, where applicable
• Competent persons.
Load and duty requirements of wiring systems include:
• Sufficient current-carrying capacity
• Maximum permitted voltage drop is not exceeded
• Temperature limits are not exceeded under
normal or fault conditions.
Requirements - That to which equipment and
procedures and their outcomes must conform, and
includes statutory obligations and regulations and
standards called-up by legislation or regulations.
Requirements may also include:
• Statutory regulations
• Codes of practice
• Job specifications
• Transport documentation
• Standards called-up in specifications be they
Australian/New Zealand or international
• Procedures and work instructions

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
9 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

• Quality assurance systems

• Manufacturers’ specifications
• Maintenance manuals, schedules, and
specifications or standards
• Circuit or cable schedules
• Design specifications
• Customer or client requirements and
specifications
• Specified underpinning knowledge.
Standards - Technical documents which set out
specifications and other criteria for equipment,
materials and methods to ensure they consistently
perform as intended. The Standards referred to in this
competency standard are those published by Standards
New Zealand or in joint venture with Standards
Australia. Competency in the use of other technical
standards may be required in industries not restricted to
Australian/New Zealand requirements. For example,
shipping and off-shore petroleum industries are subject
to standards agreed to by underwriters and enterprises
or some other international convention.
Temperature class - Classification of electrical
equipment according to its maximum surface
temperature.
Wiring Systems - Permitted cables, enclosures,
supports, and accessories for power, measurement,
control, or communications purposes.
Zonings - The zones into which hazardous areas are
classified based upon the frequency of the appearance
and the duration of an explosive gas atmosphere.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
10 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

Elements and Performance Criteria

element 1

Verify hazardous classification for the area.

performance criteria

1.1 Nature and characteristics of explosion hazards in the area are identified from
plant specifications.

1.2 In the absence of classification documentation, arrangements are made to

ensure the explosion hazard in the area is assessed and the area classified.

1.3 Classification, extent of zonings of the area, gas groups and temperature class
are verified by reference to classification documents or determined from
standards in which the explosion hazard, area classification and zonings are
clearly identified.

1.4 Area classification determined from standards in which the explosion hazard,
area classification and zonings are clearly identified is documented in
accordance with requirements.

element 2

Select and check equipment, wiring, and accessories.

performance criteria

2.1 Equipment and accessories are selected to suit area activities and comply with
explosion-protection requirements.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
11 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

2.2 Wiring systems are selected to suit area activities, and comply with explosion-
protection, load and duty requirements.

2.3 Equipment compliance certification is checked for suitability for the area
classification and zonings.

2.4 Cables and accessories are checked for suitability for the area classification
and zonings and load and duty requirements.

element 3

Document design.

performance criteria

3.1 Design and specifications are documented in accordance with established

procedures and requirements.

3.2 Arrangements are made to file design documentation in hazardous area records
in accordance with established procedures and requirements.

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010

 17071
10-Mar-10
12 of 12

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN
HAZARDOUS AREAS
Design electrical installations in
hazardous areas

Comments to:

ElectroTechnology Industry Training Organisation

Unit Standard Revision
PO Box 160
WELLINGTON

by August 2002.

Please Note: Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority

before they can offer programmes of education and training
assessed against unit standards.

Accredited providers assessing against unit standards must

engage with the moderation system that applies to those unit
standards. [Please refer to relevant Plan ref: 0003]

© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2010