Approval Standard

for
Electric Equipment
for use in
Hazardous (Classified)
Locations
General
Requirements

Class Number 3600

November 1998

©2002 FM Approvals LLC. All rights reserved.

 Foreword

FM Approvals are intended to verify that the products and services described will meet stated conditions of
performance, safety and quality useful to the ends of property conservation. The purpose of FM Approval
Standards is to present the criteria for FM Approval of various types of products and services, as guidance for
FM Approvals personnel, manufacturers, users and authorities having jurisdiction.

Products submitted for Approval shall demonstrate that they meet the intent of the Approval Standard, and that
quality control in manufacturing and/or applications shall ensure a consistently uniform and reliable product or
service. FM Approval Standards strive to be performance-oriented and to facilitate technological development.

For examining equipment, materials and services, FM Approval Standards:

a) must be useful to the ends of property conservation by preventing, limiting or not causing damage
under the conditions stated by the Approval listing; and
b) must be readily identifiable.

Continuance of Approval and Listing depends on compliance with the Approval agreement, satisfactory
performance in the field, on successful re-examinations of equipment, materials, and services as appropriate, and
on periodic follow-up audits of the manufacturing facility or service/application.

FM Approvals LLC reserves the right in its sole judgement to change or revise its standards, criteria,
methods, or procedures.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose .............................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Basis for FM Approval ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Basis for Continued Approvals ......................................................................................................................................... 2
1.5 Basis for Requirements ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.6 Effective Date .................................................................................................................................................................... 3
1.7 System of Units ................................................................................................................................................................. 3
2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................................................... 3
2.1 Requirements ..................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Mechanisms of Ignition ...................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Applicability of Other Standards ...................................................................................................................................... 3
3.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS AND DEFINITIONS ......................................................................................................... 4
3.1 Applicable Documents ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Classification and Grouping System ................................................................................................................................ 4
4.0 MARKING REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................. 4
4.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4
4.2 Permanence of Labeling ................................................................................................................................................... 6
4.3 Additional Marking Information ....................................................................................................................................... 6
4.4 Marking of Small Equipment ........................................................................................................................................... 6
5.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................................. 6
5.1 Mechanical Strength .......................................................................................................................................................... 6
5.2 Non-Metallic Enclosure Materials—Chemical Compatibility .......................................................................................... 7
5.3 Non-Metallic Enclosure Materials—Aging ...................................................................................................................... 8
5.4 Metallic Enclosure Materials—Reactance ......................................................................................................................... 8
6.0 OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................................................... 9
6.1 Demonstrated Quality Control Program ........................................................................................................................... 9
6.2 Facilities and Procedures Audit (F&PA) .......................................................................................................................... 9
APPENDIX: APPROVAL MARKS ........................................................................................................................................... 10
November 1998 3600

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Purpose

This standard identifies the basis for FM Approval of electrical equipment for use in hazardous (classified)
locations.

1.2 Scope

This standard is used in conjunction with the following other standards and standards listed in Paragraph 2.3:
Note: In the event of a conflict between the requirements of this general standard and one of the following specific standards, the
requirements of the specific standard shall take precedence.

1.2.1 The following standards are applicable to electrical equipment for Class I, II, or III, Division 1 or 2
hazardous (classified) locations.

Standard No. Standard Title

3610 Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II
and III, Division 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
3611 Electrical Equipment for Use in Class I, Division 2; Class II, Division 2;
and Class III, Divisions 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
3615 Explosionproof Electrical Equipment
3620 Purged and Pressurized Electrical Equipment
6310/6330 Combustible Gas Detectors
7260 Electrostatic Finishing Equipment

1.2.2 The following standards are applicable to electrical equipment for Class I, Zone 0, 1, or 2 hazardous
(classified) locations.

Standard No. Standard Title

3610 Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II
and III, Division 1 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
ISA S12.0.01:1998 Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified)
Locations. General Requirements
ISA S12.16.01:1998 Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified)
Locations. Type of Protection Increased Safety ‘‘e’’.
ISA S12.22.01:1998 Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified)
Locations. Type of Protection Flameproof ‘‘d’’.
ISA S12.23.01:1998 Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified)
Locations. Type of Protection Encapsulation ‘‘m’’.
ISA S12.25.01:1998 Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified)
Locations. Type of Protection Powder Filling ‘‘q’’.
ISA S12.26.01:1998 Electrical Apparatus for Use in Class I, Zone 1 Hazardous (Classified)
Locations. Type of Protection Oil Immersion ‘‘o’’.
IEC 79-15:1987 Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres. Part 15: Electrical
apparatus with type of protection ‘‘n’’

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1.2.3 Application

This standard shall apply to:

a) Electrical equipment or parts of electrical equipment rated for use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations
as defined by the National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70;
b) Associated equipment located outside of the Class I, II or III location whose design and construction
may influence those parts of the equipment within the classified location.

1.3 Basis for FM Approval

FM Approval is contingent upon satisfactory results of analysis of the product (compliance with this standard)
and the manufacture of the product in the following major areas:

1.3.1 Products for which an FM Approval Standard for product performance exists, shall also be examined in
accordance with that Approval Standard. These standards typically include requirements for the following:
• the suitability of the product;
• the proper operation and performance of the product as specified by the manufacturer and required by
FM Approvals; and, as far as practical,
• the durability and reliability of the product.

1.3.2 An examination of the manufacturing facilities and audit of quality control procedures shall be made to
evaluate the manufacturer’s ability to produce a product identical to that which was examined and tested,
and the marking procedures used to identify the product. These examinations are repeated as part of FM
Approvals’ product follow-up program.

1.4 Basis for Continued Approvals

Continued Approval is based upon:

• production or availability of the product as currently Approved;
• the continued use of acceptable quality control procedures;
• satisfactory field experience;
• compliance with the terms stipulated in the Approval Agreement; and
• examination of production samples for continued conformity to requirements.

1.5 Basis for Requirements

1.5.1 The requirements of this standard are based on experience, research, testing and the standards of other
national and international organizations. The advice of manufacturers, users, trade associations and loss
control specialists was also considered.

1.5.2 The requirements of this standard reflect tests and practices used to examine characteristics of electrical
equipment for the purpose of obtaining FM Approval. These requirements are intended primarily as
guides, and strict conformity is not always mandatory. Electrical equipment having characteristics not
anticipated by this standard may be Approved if performance equal or superior to that required by this
standard is demonstrated, or if the intent of the standard is met. Alternatively, equipment that does meet
all the requirements identified in this standard may not be Approved if other conditions exist that adversely
affect performance or if the intent of this standard is not met.

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1.6 Effective Date

The effective date of an Approval standard mandates that all products tested for Approval after the effective date
shall satisfy the requirements of that standard. Products Approved under a previous edition shall comply with the
new version by the effective date or else forfeit Approval. The effective date shall apply to the entire Approval
standard, or, where so indicated, only to specific paragraphs of the standard.

The effective date of this standard is November 1, 1998 for full compliance with all requirements.

1.7 System of Units

Where units of measurement are expressed in U.S. customary units, they are followed by their arithmetic
equivalents in International System (SI) units, enclosed in parentheses. Conversions are in accordance with
ANSI/IEEE/ASTM SI-10. Where units of measurement are expressed in SI units, no US customary units are
provided.

2.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

2.1 Requirements

These requirements are based on consideration of ignition in locations made hazardous by the presence of
flammable or combustible materials under normal atmospheric conditions. The following ranges of temperature,
oxygen concentration, barometric pressure, and humidity may not be applicable for all Types of Protection (if
not, these may be superseded by other values in the specific standard for the Type of Protection):
a) ambient temperature range of −20°C to +40°C;
b) an oxygen concentration not greater than 21% by volume;
c) a barometric pressure in the range of 0.8 atmosphere to 1.1 atmosphere.

2.2 Mechanisms of Ignition

This standard does not address mechanisms of ignition from external sources such as static electricity or
lightning, which are not related to the electrical characteristics of the apparatus.

2.3 Applicability of Other Standards

Except where modified by the requirements of the standards listed in Paragraph 1.2, electrical equipment shall
also comply with the applicable American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements for ordinary
locations. In the event that no ANSI Standard exists for the category of equipment, then FM Approval Standard
‘‘Electrical and Electronic Test, Measuring, and Process Control Equipment,’’ Class No. 3810, shall be used as
the source document for basic safety requirements.

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3.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS AND DEFINITIONS

3.1 Applicable Documents

See Paragraph 1.2.

3.2 Classification and Grouping System

Electrical equipment for use in classified locations is identified by Class, Division (Zone), and Group. There is
no specific distinction for mining applications. A complete description of classifications is given in national
publications, e.g., ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.

4.0 MARKING REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General

4.1.1 In addition to marking information required of ordinary location electrical equipment (see Paragraph 2.3),
equipment for use in Class I, II, or III, Division 1 or 2, hazardous (classified) locations shall be marked
to show:
a) The Class, Division, and Group rating according to Paragraph 3.2 of this standard; and
b) The maximum operating temperature, or temperature range (T-Code) referenced to a 104°F (40°C) or
higher marked ambient according to the following table. Equipment which is Approved for Class I and
Class II shall be marked with the maximum operating temperature, as determined by simultaneous
exposure to the combinations of Class I and Class II conditions (i.e., dust-blanketing).
c. Maximum ambient temperature, if greater than 104°F (40°C).

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EXCEPTIONS
Exception 1: Equipment of the non heat-producing type, such as junction
boxes, conduit, and fittings and equipment of the heat pro-
ducing type having a maximum temperature not more than
212°F (100°C) shall not be required to have a marked
operating temperature or temperature range (T-code).

Exception 2: Fixed lighting fixtures for use in Class I, Division 2 or

Class II, Division 2 locations only, shall not be required to
be marked to indicate the group.

Exception 3: Equipment for use in Class II locations shall not exceed the
ignition temperature of the specific rated dust or 329°F
(165°C), whichever is lower, when installed in locations
which are classified due to organic dusts that may dehy-
drate or carbonize.

Exception 4: The division marking is optional for all equipment except

Division 2, in which case the division marking is required.

Table 1. Temperature Marking Code

Max Temperature Max Temperature
°F (°C) T-Code °F (°C) T-Code
842 (450) T1 356 (180) T3A
572 (300) T2 329 (165) T3B
536 (280) T2A 320 (160) T3C
500 (260) T2B 275 (135) T4
446 (230) T2C 248 (120) T4A
419 (215) T2D 212 (100) T5
392 (200) T3 185 (85) T6

Compliance shall be verified by measurement based on the highest temperature which may be attained in service
under the most adverse conditions (but within rated values) by any part or surface of the equipment. The most
adverse conditions include overloads and fault conditions recognized in the specific standard for the Type of
Protection concerned.

Where used for temperature measurements, thermocouple wire shall be Type J or Type K conforming to the
requirements for ‘‘Special Tolerance’’ as defined in the table of ‘‘Initial Calibration Tolerances for Thermo-
couples’’ in Temperature Measurement Thermocouples, ANSI/ISA MC96.1-1982.

Unless a specific measurement uncertainty is determined, the measured temperature shall be increased by the
following:
5 K for measured temperatures less than or equal to 200°C

10 K for measured temperatures greater than 200°C

4.1.2 Electrical equipment for use in Class I, Zone 0, 1, or 2, hazardous (classified) locations shall be marked
in accordance with the Standards listed in 1.2.2.

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4.2 Permanence of Labeling

4.2.1 Equipment labels containing the data required by this standard and its applicable sub-parts, including
adhesion to the equipment enclosure material, shall not degrade due to exposure to chemicals of the Group
for which the equipment is rated. Metal labels secured to the product by permanent mechanical means
(e.g., drive screws) are considered satisfactory without further tests.

EXCEPTIONS
Exception 1: Intrinsically Safe electrical equipment complying with
Class 3610.

Exception 2: Electrical equipment for Class I, Zones 0, 1, or 2,

complying with the standards listed in 1.2.2.

4.2.2 Compliance shall be determined by the material compatibility test according to Paragraph 5.2.

4.3 Additional Marking Information

Additional marking information is identified in standards according to Paragraph 1.2.1 or 1.2.2 for the Type of
Protection rating of the equipment.

4.4 Marking of Small Equipment

Where the size of the electrical equipment is such that there is insufficient space to permit legible markings in
accordance with clause 4, the markings may be included on the smallest unit package.

5.0 PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Mechanical Strength

The enclosure for electrical equipment rated for classified locations shall provide the mechanical strength
required to resist impact, drop (if hand held or portable), and thermal shock. Damage to the enclosure as a result
of impact or drop testing according to this Paragraph shall not invalidate the Type of Protection of the equipment.
Superficial damage is not of concern; however, breakage of cooling fins, lens cracking, etc., depending upon the
Type of Protection afforded by the equipment, shall be the subject of further investigation and test to assure
repeatable satisfactory results.

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EXCEPTION
Electrical equipment for Class I, Zones 0, 1, or 2, shall comply with the
standards listed in 1.2.2.

5.1.1 Drop Tests

Drop tests shall be conducted according to requirements for hand held or portable equipment according to the
standards referenced in Paragraph 2.3.

5.1.2 Resistance to Impact

The electrical equipment enclosure and attached parts (i.e., lenses, pilot lights, breather/drains, control operators,
flame arrestors, etc.) are subject to an impact energy of 2.0 ft·lbf (2.7 joules) resulting from a test mass of 4 pound
(1.8 kg) falling vertically from a height of 6 inches (150 mm). The test mass shall be fitted with a steel
hemisphere of 1 inch (25 mm) diameter. The equipment shall be positioned on (not installed in) a concrete
surface to simulate rigid installation and the test weight directed to impact any surface of the equipment that may
be affected. No location need be subjected to more than one impact. The equipment shall be tested completely
assembled, ready for use, and with any guards installed that are normally supplied as part of the equipment.
Ambient temperature for the test shall be 68°F ±9°F (20°C ±5°C) except where the electrical enclosure or parts
of the enclosure are made of polymeric material; in this case, the impact tests shall be repeated at the upper and
lower ambient temperature of the device as marked on the equipment label or listed in product literature.

5.1.3 Thermal Shock Test

This test is performed to verify that all enclosure components critical to the equipment Type of Protection can
withstand rapid thermal variations.

A cloth saturated with water at a temperature of 50°F (10°C) shall be applied to the applicable part with the
equipment operating at the voltage which gives the greatest heating effect within the range of 85-110% of
nominal rated voltage in a 104°F (40°C) ambient, and after the maximum temperature of the part is achieved.
The test shall be repeated five times on one sample.

The quantity of water and size of the cloth involved shall be sufficient to completely wet the surface of the
equipment under test.

The thermal shock test is primarily intended for glass parts, but shall be conducted on any material that may be
adversely affected.

The test results shall be considered satisfactory if no cracks or other failures that may invalidate the equipment
Type of Protection are observed.

5.2 Non-Metallic Enclosure Materials—Chemical Compatibility

5.2.1 Nonmetallic enclosure materials (Exception: replaceable environmental seals, etc.), shall be resistant to
chemical or physical change due to solvent exposure. As a result of chemical compatibility testing, there
shall be no permanent change in properties that would affect the Type of Protection afforded by the
equipment. Typically, a hardness measurement technique is used to examine for change in properties.
Results may be considered satisfactory with no additional testing if there is no change in hardness greater
than 15% of initial readings.

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EXCEPTIONS
Exception 1: Materials not passing the required chemical compatibility
test for one or more of the six test chemicals may be con-
sidered satisfactory if the product nameplate shows the
exclusion of the chemical family(ies) from the Hazardous
(Classified) rating of the equipment.

Example: ‘‘Not including acidic atmospheres’’

Exception 2: Electrical equipment for Class I, Zones 0, 1, or 2.

5.2.2 Compliance shall be verified by subjecting the enclosure materials to the vapors of the following test
chemicals, each in a closed vessel containing 4 fluid ounces per quart volume (120 cm3/l). The tests shall
be conducted with the test samples suspended above the liquid level in the vessel and for a period of 150
hours at 68°F ±9°F (20°C ±5°C). Measurement for change in critical properties of the material shall be
conducted within one hour after removal from the solvent atmosphere.

Test Chemical Representative Chemical Family

Acetone Ketones
Gasoline Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Hexane Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Methanol Alcohols
Ethyl Acetate Esters
Acetic Acid Acids

5.3 Non-Metallic Enclosure Materials—Aging

5.3.1 Requirements
a) Rubber or neoprene materials that are relied upon for the Type of Protection of the equipment shall be
subjected to an oxygen atmosphere at 158°F (70°C) and 300 psi (2100 kPa) for 96 hours.
b) All other materials shall be subjected to a temperature of 250°F (121°C) for a period of 14 days at
atmospheric pressure.

EXCEPTION
Electrical equipment for Class I, Zones 0, 1, or 2.

5.3.2 Compliance shall be evaluated by reviewing how material changes during aging affect the equipment type
of protection.

5.4 Metallic Enclosure Materials—Reactance

The alloys used in the construction of electrical equipment enclosures for Group A classified locations shall not
contain more than 30% copper.

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6.0 OPERATIONS REQUIREMENTS

6.1 Demonstrated Quality Control Program

6.1.1 A Quality Control Program is required to assure that each subsequent unit produced by the manufacturer
shall present the same quality and reliability as the specific samples examined. Design quality, conform-
ance to design, and performance are the areas of primary concern.

Design quality is determined during the examination and tests.

Conformance to design is verified by control of quality in the following areas:

• existence of corporate quality control guidelines
• incoming inspection and test
• in-process inspection and test
• final inspection and test
• equipment calibration
• drawing and change control
• packaging and shipping.

Quality of performance is determined by field performance and by re-examination and test.

6.1.2 The manufacturer shall establish a system of product configuration control to prevent unauthorized
changes, including, as appropriate:
• engineering drawings
• engineering change requests
• engineering orders
• change notices.

These shall be executed in conformance with a written policy and detailed procedures. Records of all revisions
to all Approved products shall be kept.

6.1.3 The manufacturer shall assign an appropriate person or group to be responsible to obtain FM Approvals
authorization of all changes applicable to Approved products. Form 797, Approved Product Revision
Report or Address/Contact Change Notice, is provided to notify FM Approvals of pending changes.

6.2 Facilities and Procedures Audit (F&PA)

6.2.1 An inspection of the product manufacturing facility shall be part of the Approval investigation. Its purpose
shall be to determine that equipment, procedures, and the manufacturer’s controls are properly maintained
to produce a product of the same design quality as originally verified.

6.2.2 Unannounced follow-up inspections shall be conducted to assure continued quality control and product
uniformity.

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APPENDIX

APPROVAL MARKS

REPRODUCTION ART: FM Approval Marks

For use on nameplates, in literature, advertisements,

packaging and other graphics.

1) The FM Approval diamond mark is acceptable to

FM Approvals as an Approval mark when used
with the word ‘‘Approved.’’

2) The FM Approval logomark has no minimum

size requirement, but should always be large
enough to be readily identifiable.

3) Color should be black on a light background or a

reverse may be used on a dark background.

For Cast-On Marks

4) Where reproduction of the mark described

above is impossible because of production
restrictions, a modified version of the diamond is
suggested. Minimum size specifications are the
same as for printed marks. Use of the word
‘‘Approved’’ with this mark is optional.

NOTE: These Approval marks are to be used only in conjunction with products or services that have been
FM Approved. The FM Approval marks should never be used in any manner (including advertising, sales or promotional
purposes) that could suggest or imply FM Approval or endorsement of a specific manufacturer or distributor. Nor should
it be implied that Approval extends to a product or service not covered by written agreement with FM Approvals. The
Approval marks signify that products or services have met certain requirements as reported by the FM Approvals.

Additional reproduction art is available through

FM Approvals
P.O. Box 9102,
Norwood, Massachusetts 02062 USA

10 FM APPROVALS