Electrical Area Classification

- Control of the Ignition Hazards of Electrical Equipment/Devices

Basically, Electrical Area Classification (or Hazardous Area Classification) is to classify process areas into some categories according to materials' physical states and assign degrees of risk of generating flammable/combustible mixtures of gases, liquids and dusts and air in various areas in a facility.

Notably, electrical equipment or devices, if not properly designed or protected, will expose sparks, arcs and hot surfaces, that are capable of igniting flammable/combustible dusts, liquids and gases.

Therefore, electrical equipment and devices used in areas where flammable/combustible gases, liquids and dusts are used or handled should be provided with adequate safety measures to prevent exposing the electrical ignition sources to the flammable materials. Apparently, if there are no flammable/combustible materials in the areas where the equipment/devices are used, such protection measures may not be necessary.

Ideally, the levels of safety provided by a protection measure for an electrical equipment should be commensurate to the likelihood of exposure of the equipment/devices to flammable/combustible material. Therefore, electrical area classification needs to be performed in order to accomplish prevent ignition hazards/risks associated with use of electrical equipment/devices.

Notably, Electrical Area Classification is essentially a kind of hazard and risk assessment/analysis, which determine the likelihood/probability of flammable atmospheres of combustible gases, liquids and dusts.

Electrical Area Classification is one element of a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and risk assessment such as a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA), Flammable & Combustible Liquid Hazard Analysis, or Flammable Gas Hazard Analysis, which can be performed either as a part of a PHA or in independent study.

Electrical Area Classification is also profoundly affected by plant operating factors, such as equipment design, processes, operations and plant layout, and vice versa. Therefore, Electrical Area Classification would be best carried out in the design phase of the plant life cycle. Review or reassessment of Electrical Area Classifications should also be conducted after a significant change is made.

How Do We Conduct Electrical Area Classifications

Whether as a part of a PHA or an independent study, whatever fits to clients' situation, our experts will perform Electrical Area Classifications based on assessments of the hazards and risks associated with the relevant processes and operations, which include:

Combustible Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA);
Flammable & Combustible Liquid Hazard Analysis; and
Flammable Gas Hazard Analysis.

We will take into account all relevant factors that may affect Electrical Area Classifications in specific process areas, including materials' hazards, equipment design, operations, processes, plant layout, maintenance and preventive safety measures.

Our recommendations on Electrical Area Classifications will reflect the actual risks of fire and explosion hazards in your facilities, and lead to effective fire and explosion safety, and compliance with practical solutions.

We will also assist you in selecting adequate types of electrical equipment/devices in your plant based on the Electrical Area Classifications.

While Electrical Area Classification is designated for controlling the hazards and risks of electrical ignition sources, other types of ignition hazards should also be evaluated in the classified areas.

We will work with you to learn more about relevant details of your processes and operations, and develop a plan for the most practical and cost-effective approaches to conduct an Electrical Area Classification. We can also assist you to implement the recommendations effectively. Our supporting services cover all stages of the implementation process based on our more than three decades of process safety experience.

Why Work with Us on Gas Explosions?

Princeton Safety Solutions possesses over 35 years' experiences on dust, liquid and gas fires and explosions throughout the process industries globally. Our process industry experiences include hundreds of process safety projects. Our experts possess extensive expertise on industrial fire & explosion hazards and control that have been obtained from:

Extensive experiences on hazards assessments of fires & explosions;
Numerous investigations of fire and explosion incidents, including those ignited by electrical devices;
Our hazard assessments and incident investigations are based on both laboratory testing and onsite testing under actual process conditions;
Successful expert consulting services to OSHA Citation and litigation related fire and explosion incidents;
Active participations of combustible dust standard making processes as a Principal (Technical Committee) Member of NFPA 484 - Standard on Combustible Metals, and NFPA 30B - Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products.

We have been recognized for our effective and cost-effective practical solutions for preventing and mitigating dust, liquid and gas explosions and fires, which are based on our scientific and also practical approach using test data to determine the real hazard and risk.

With our extensive expertise and experience in industrial fire and explosion hazards' control in various industries, gas fire and explosion incident investigations, litigation consulting, laboratory testing, training and code and standard compliance review, we will address the issues you are facing adequately and effectively, and develop effective and practical solutions for prevention and mitigation. We will help you navigate efficiently through complex problems and and prioritize recommendations based on sound hazard and risk assessment.

To learn more about our expertise in electrostatic hazard control, please call us at 609 240 7545 or email us at info@PrincetonSafetySolutions.com today.