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7 Hazardous Locations
7 Hazardous Locations
HAZARDOUS (CLASSIFIED)
LOCATIONS
Introduction:
A hazardous location is any location where a potential hazard, either a
fire or an explosion can exist due to the presence of flammable,
combustible, or ignitable materials. These materials can consist of gases,
vapors, liquids, dust, fibres, etc.
Hazardous locations are classified according to the properties and
quantities of the hazardous material which can be present. Hazardous
locations are divided into three classes, two divisions, and seven
classified groups as follows: Class I, II, III; Division 1 and 2; and Groups
A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
Class II Locations:
An area where presence of combustible dust present a fire or explosion
hazard.
Some typical Class II locations are:
1- Grain elevators.
2- Flour and feed mills.
3- Plants that manufacture, use or store magnesium or aluminum
powders.
4- Producers of plastics, medicines and fireworks.
5- Producers of starch or candies.
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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
OSHA HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Class III Locations
An area made hazardous due to the presence of easily ignitable fibers or
flyings, but in which such fibers or flyings are not likely to be in
suspension in the air in quantities sufficient to produce ignitable mixtures.
Some typical Class III locations are:
1- Textile mills, cotton gins.
2- Cotton seed mills, flax processing plants.
3- Plants that shape, pulverize or cut wood and create sawdust or
flyings.
Group A:
Group A is an atmosphere containing acetylene. Equipment with a rating
up to 536º F (280º C) can be utilized.
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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
OSHA HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Group B:
Group B is an atmosphere containing hydrogen, or gases or vapors with a
hazard equal to hydrogen. Butadiene, and ethylene and propyleneoxides
are included in this group. Equipment with a rating to 536º F (280º C) can
be utilized.
Group C:
Group C is an atmosphere containing cyclopropane, ethyl ether, or
ethylene or gases or vapors with a hazard equal to these gases. Equipment
with a rating to 356º F (180º C) can be utilized.
Group D:
Group D is an atmosphere containing acetone, alcohol, benzine, butane,
gasoline, propane, natural gases or gases with vapors with a hazard equal
to these gases. Equipment with a rating to 536º F (280º C) can be utilized.
Group E:
Group E is an atmosphere containing combustible metalic dust or other
dust with a similar hazard that is equivalent., such as Aluminium and
Magnesium dusts.
Group F:
Group F is an atmosphere containing Carbon Black, charcoal coal, or
coke dusts with 8% or less total volatile material.
Group G:
Group G is an atmosphere containing grain dusts, flour, starch, cocoa,
and similar types of materials.
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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
OSHA HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
1- Arcs and sparks produced by the normal operation equipment, like
motor starters, contactors, and switches, can ignite a hazardous
location atmosphere.
2- The high temperatures of some heat-producing equipment, such as
lamps and lighting fixtures, can ignite flammable atmospheres if
they exceed the ignition temperature of the hazardous material.
3- Electrical equipment failure a burn out of a lamp socket or shorting
of a terminal could spark a real disaster in a hazardous location.
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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
OSHA HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
them. They are neither gas-tight nor vapor-tight, but are flame-
tight to prevent an inner explosion from reaching the
atmosphere. Explosionproof housings are especially useful in
all Division 1 areas.
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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
OSHA HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
1- To prevent combustible dust from entering an enclosure,
pressurization can be used. Pressurization is similar to purging,
where an inert gas or clean air is supplied to an enclosure at a
sufficient pressure, to keep dust from entering. Unlike purging,
however, pressurization cannot bring an enclosure to a safe
level once dust is inside. When this occurs, the enclosure must
be opened and the dust removed.
International Comparison
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OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
OSHA HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR