Hazardous Areas: European & IEC Classification Definition of Zone or Division North American Classification

Hazardous Areas
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres exist where there is a risk of explosion due to mixtures of gas/air,
vapour/air, dust/air or other flammable combinations. Process plants, refineries, oil and gas platforms
etc are divided into Zones (European and IEC method) or Divisions (North American method)
according to the likelihood of a potentially explosive atmosphere being present, e.g.

European & IEC Definition of Zone or Division North American
Classification Classification
An area in which an explosive mixture is Class I Division 1
Zone 0 (gases)
continuously present or present for long periods (gases)
Class II Division 1
Zone 20 (dusts)
(dusts)
An area in which an explosive mixture is likely to Class I Division 1
Zone 1 (gases)
occur in normal operation (gases)
Class II Division 1
Zone 21 (dusts)
(dusts)
An area in which an explosive mixture is not likely to Class I Division 2
Zone 2 (gases)
occur in normal operation and if it occurs it will exist (gases)
Zone 22 (dusts) only for a short time Class II Division 2
(dusts)
Class III Division 1
(fibres)
(fibres)
The following standards are used to define the classification:

- EN 1127-1:1997; Explosive atmosphere - Explosion prevention and protection. Part 1: Basic
concepts and methodology
- EN 60079-10:2003; Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres. Part 10: Classification of
potentially explosive atmospheres
- EN 50281-3:2002; Electrical apparatus for use in the presence of combustible dust. Part 3:
Classification of areas where dusts are or may be present
- N.E.C. Chapter 5
It is worth noting that many - though by no means all - countries outside of Europe and North America
use the IEC Standards as a basis for their own national standards.

Hazardous area zones are usually marked on a drawing of the plant, the drawing being referred to as
the Hazardous Area drawing. These drawings also include temperature classification information and
gas group information. By using these drawings the engineer can specify equipment suitable for the
area in which it is to be located.
FURTHER READING
Hazardous Areas
Potentially Explosive Atmospheres exist where there is a risk of explosion due to mixtures of
gas/air, vapour/air, dust/air or other flammable combinations. Process plants, refineries, oil
and gas platforms etc are divided into Zones (European and IEC method) or Divisions
(North American method) according to the likelihood of a potentially explosive atmosphere
being present, e.g.

European & IEC Definition of Zone or Division North American
Classification Classification
An area in which an explosive mixture is Class I Division 1
Zone 0 (gases)
continuously present or present for long periods (gases)
Class II Division 1
Zone 20 (dusts)
(dusts)
An area in which an explosive mixture is likely to Class I Division 1
Zone 1 (gases)
occur in normal operation (gases)
Class II Division 1
Zone 21 (dusts)
(dusts)
An area in which an explosive mixture is not likely to Class I Division 2
Zone 2 (gases)
occur in normal operation and if it occurs it will exist (gases)
Zone 22 (dusts) only for a short time Class II Division 2
(dusts)
(fibres)
(fibres)
The following standards are used to define the classification:

- EN 1127-1:1997; Explosive atmosphere - Explosion prevention and protection. Part 1:
Basic concepts and methodology
- EN 60079-10:2003; Electrical apparatus for explosive gas atmospheres. Part 10:
Classification of potentially explosive atmospheres
- EN 50281-3:2002; Electrical apparatus for use in the presence of combustible dust. Part
3: Classification of areas where dusts are or may be present
- N.E.C. Chapter 5
It is worth noting that many - though by no means all - countries outside of Europe and
North America use the IEC Standards as a basis for their own national standards.

Hazardous area zones are usually marked on a drawing of the plant, the drawing being
referred to as the Hazardous Area drawing. These drawings also include temperature
classification information and gas group information. By using these drawings the engineer
can specify equipment suitable for the area in which it is to be located.
FURTHER READING

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Hazardous Areas

The following standards are used to define the classification:

The following standards are used to define the classification:

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