Hazardous Location Types | Guardian Equipment (2024)

Hazardous Location Types | Guardian Equipment (2)

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NEMA Enclosure Types and Hazardous Locations

Non-Hazardous NEMA Locations:

  • Type 1: General Purpose. Protects against dust, light, and indirect splashing but is not dust-tight. Primarily prevents contact with live parts. Used indoors or under normal atmospheric conditions.
  • Types 3, 3X: Weather Resistant. Protects against weather hazards such as rain and sleet. Used outdoors on ship docks, in construction work, and in tunnels and subways. Type 3X includes corrosion resistance.
  • Types 3R, 3RX: Weather Resistant and intended for outdoor use. Provides a degree of protection against falling rain and ice formation. Meets rod entry, rain, external icing, and rust-resistance design tests. Type 3RX includes corrosion resistance.
  • Types 4, 4X: Watertight. Must exclude at least 65 GPM of water from a 1” nozzle delivered from a distance not less than 10ft for 5 minutes. Used outdoors on ship docks, in dairies, and in breweries. Type 4X includes corrosion resistance.
  • Type 5: Dust tight. Provided with gaskets, to exclude dust. Used in steel mills/cement plants.
  • Types 6, 6P: Submersible. Design depends on specified conditions of pressure and time. Submersible in either water or oil. Primarily used in quarries, mines, and manholes.
  • Types 12, 12K: General Purpose. Protects against the corrosive effects of liquids and gases. Meets drip and corrosion resistance tests. Type 12K is intended for indoor use.

Hazardous NEMA Locations:

  • Type 7: Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous (classified) locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A,B, C, or D as defined in NFPA 70. Designed to contain an internal explosion without causing an external hazard. Deals with gases/vapors.
  • Type 8: Enclosures constructed for either indoor or outdoor use in hazardous (classified) locations classified as Class I, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, and D as defined in NFPA 70. Prevents combustion through the use of oil-immersed equipment.
  • Type 9: Enclosures constructed for indoor use in hazardous (classified) locations classified as Class II, Division 1, Groups E, F, or G as defined in NFPA 70. Designed to prevent the ignition of combustible dusts.
  • Type 10: Enclosures constructed to meet the requirements of the Mine Safety and Health Administration, 30 CFR, Part 18. Designed to contain an internal explosion without causing an external hazard. Used mostly in mining applications.

Hazardous Location Types:

Class I Locations: A Class I Hazardous Location is one in which flammable gases or vapors may be present in the air in sufficient quantities to be explosive or ignitable. There are four Groups in Class I (Groups A, B, C, and D.) Some typical Class I locations are as follows:

  • Petroleum refineries, and gasoline storage and dispensing areas
  • Dry cleaning plants
  • Spray finishing areas
  • Utility gas plants

Class II Locations: A Class II Hazardous Location is one in which combustible dust is present. There are three Groups in Class II (Groups E, F, and G.) Some typical Class II locations are as follows:

  • Grain elevators
  • Flour and feed mills
  • Producers of plastics, medicines, starch, candies, and fireworks
  • Coal preparation plants

Class III Locations: A Class III Hazardous Location is one in which ignitable fibers are present in the atmosphere. Some typical Class III locations are as follows:

  • Textile mills
  • Cotton gins or seed mills, flax processing plants
  • Plants that shape, pulverize, or cut wood and create sawdust

Division Ratings for Hazardous Locations:

There are two different kinds of conditions under which these hazards are present, know as Divisions:

  • Division 1: Explosive Gas or Dust is present during NORMAL conditions.
  • Division 2: Explosive Gas or Dust is present during ABNORMAL conditions.

Explosive Materials in each Hazardous Group:

Group Hazardous Material in Surrounding Atmosphere
Group A Acetylene
Group B Hydrogen, fuel and combustible process gases containing more than 30% hydrogen by volume or gases of equivalent hazard such as butadiene, ethylene, oxide, and propylene oxide.
Group C Carbon monoxide, ether, hydrogen sulfide, morpholine, cyclopropane, ethyl and ethylene or gases of equivalent hazard.
Group D Gasoline, acetone, ammonia, benzene, butane, cyclopropane, ethanol, hexane, methanol, methane, vinyl chloride, natural gas, naphtha, propane or gases of equivalent hazard.
Group E Combustible metal dusts, including aluminum, magnesium and their commercial alloys or other combustible dusts whose particle size, abrasiveness and conductivity present similar hazards in connection with electrical equipment.
Group F Carbonaceous dusts, carbon black, coal black, charcoal, coal or co*ke dusts that have more than 8% total entrapped volatiles or dusts that have been sensitized by other material so they present an explosion hazard.
Group G Flour dust, grain dust, flour, starch, sugar, wood, plastic and chemicals.

Hazardous Locations including Classes, Groups, and Divisions:

Summary of Class I, II, III Hazardous Locations
Classes Groups Divisions
1 2
I. - Gases, vapors, and liquids A: Acetylene
B: Hydrogen, etc.
C: Ether, etc.
D: Hydrocarbons, fuels, solvents, etc.
Normally explosive and hazardous. Not normally present in an explosive concentration (but may accidentally exist).
II. - Dusts E: Metal dusts (conductive and explosive)
F: Carbon dusts (some are conductive, and all are explosive)
G: Flour, starch, grain, combustible plastic or chemical dust (explosive)
Ignitable quantities of dust normally are or may be in suspension, or conductive dust may be present. Dust not normally suspended in an ignitable concentration (but may accidentally exist). Dust layers are present.
III. - Fibers and flyings Textiles, wood-working, etc. (easily ignitable, but not likely to be explosive) Handled or used in manufacturing. Stored or handled in storage (exclusive of manufacturing).

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Hazardous Location Types | Guardian Equipment (2024)

FAQs

What is the classification of equipment enclosures for hazardous locations? ›

For Class I locations, use explosion-proof equipment and proper ventilation to handle flammable gases or vapors. Class II locations require dust-tight equipment and dust control to manage combustible dust hazards. In Class III locations, protect against ignitable fibers with proper enclosures and handling protocols.

What are the 3 classes of hazardous locations? ›

Class I locations are those in which flammable vapors and gases may be present. Class II locations are those in which combustible dust may be found. Class III locations are those which are hazardous because of the presence of easily ignitable fibers or flyings.

What are the marking requirements for equipment used in hazardous locations? ›

Electrical equipment permitted for use in hazardous locations must be marked to show the Class, Division (or Zone under NEC Article 505 and CE Section 18), Group, and maximum surface operating temperature or temperature code referenced to a 40°C (104°F) ambient temperature (some exceptions apply).

Which equipment installed in hazardous classified locations shall be marked to show? ›

NFPA 70 NEC Classes, Divisions and Groups

In 29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(ii), OSHA requires all equipment used in a hazardous location to be marked with the class, group and operating temperature or temperature range for which it is approved.

What are the three classifications defined for hazardous areas and specifications? ›

A Hazardous Area is defined by three main criteria, these being: The type of hazard (groups) The auto-ignition temperature of the hazardous material (temperature or “T” rating) The likelihood of the hazard being present in flammable concentrations (zones)

What are the categories of hazardous materials? ›

A visor card guide for state and local law enforcement officials illustrating vehicle placarding and signage for the following nine classes of hazardous materials: 1) Explosives, 2) Gases, 3) Flammable Liquid and Combustible Liquid, 4) Flammable Solid, Spontanaeously Combustible and Dangerous When Wet 5) Oxidizer and ...

What is hazard classification type 3? ›

Definition. A liquid having a flash point of not more than 60o C (140o F), or any material in a liquid phase with a flash point at or above 37.8o C (100o F) that is intentionally heated and offered for transportation or transported at or above its flash point in a bulk package.

Why is it important to identify the different types of hazardous locations? ›

These specialized areas contain materials that, due to their nature, can lead to fires, explosions, or other hazardous incidents. Understanding these locations is important to ensure the well-being of workers and the integrity of operations.

What are the divisions of hazardous areas? ›

Hazardous locations are broken down into three sections known as Classes: I, II, and III. Each Class's rating is dependent upon specific conditions which are further determined by divisions and groups. Otherwise, classes are identified as follows: Class I: Gasses, vapors, and liquids.

How do you determine hazardous areas? ›

The first step in identifying a hazardous area is determining if there is likely to be a potentially explosive atmosphere present. This requires a good knowledge of the process, the equipment or apparatus used, the chemicals used, and the materials produced or generated.

What are the NEC hazardous locations? ›

The National Electric Code (NEC) or NFPA 70 defines hazardous locations as those areas where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings.

What is the primary danger in a hazardous classified location? ›

Final answer: The primary danger in a hazardous classified location typically involves the potential for physical harm, including fires, explosions, or exposure to harmful substances.

What is suitability of identified equipment shall be determined by? ›

Identified (for the use).

Suitability of equipment for a specific purpose, environment, or application is determined by a qualified testing laboratory where such identification includes labeling or listing.

What is hazardous locations certification? ›

HazLoc certification is a confirmation that minimum relevant safety standards have been met and the products can be used safely in the designated hazardous locations for which the product has been evaluated.

What section of the code requires that all listed or labeled equipment be installed in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling? ›

OSHA & NEC 1999, Section 110.3 (B) Installation and Use. Listed or labeled equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with any instructions included in the listing or labeling.

What is a Class 2 enclosure? ›

Class 2 dustproof enclosures are vital in a variety of hazardous facilities to reduce risk of explosions from combustible dust.

What is the hazardous area classification system? ›

The Class/Division/Group system uses three designators to categorize hazardous areas: Class:The Class designator defines the general nature of the hazard, such as its state of matter or form. Division:The Division designator indicates the probability of a hazard igniting or producing an explosion.

What is the classification of an area as being hazardous? ›

Locations shall be classified depending on the properties of the flammable vapors, liquids, or gases that may be present and the likelihood that a flammable or combustible concentration or quantity is present. Where pyrophoric materials are the only materials used or handled, these locations need not be classified.

What is class 1 div 2 enclosure? ›

Class 1 Hazardous Locations refer to facilities that deal with flammable gases, vapors, and liquids. Division 2 specifies that flammable materials are handled, processed, or used at a location. But, concentrations of hazardous substances are not high enough to be ignitable.

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