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    Area Classifications Know The Limits

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    Yeprem
    EI 15, the industry standard for area classification, has several limitations in its scope and application that process safety engineers should be aware of. These include: [1] EI 15 does not cover area classification for ignitable dusts; [2] Its dispersion modeling is based on fluid storage temperatures of 20°C and may not apply to refrigerated or cryogenic liquids; [3] The representative fluid compositions and release pressures it considers may not match some facility conditions.]

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    Area Classifications Know The Limits

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    Yeprem
    23 views4 pages
    EI 15, the industry standard for area classification, has several limitations in its scope and application that process safety engineers should be aware of. These include: [1] EI 15 does not cover area classification for ignitable dusts; [2] Its dispersion modeling is based on fluid storage temperatures of 20°C and may not apply to refrigerated or cryogenic liquids; [3] The representative fluid compositions and release pressures it considers may not match some facility conditions.]

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    Area Classifications Know the Limits

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    EI 15, the industry standard for area classification, has several limitations in its scope and application that process safety engineers should be aware of. These include: [1] EI 15 does not cover area classification for ignitable dusts; [2] Its dispersion modeling is based on fluid storage temperatures of 20°C and may not apply to refrigerated or cryogenic liquids; [3] The representative fluid compositions and release pressures it considers may not match some facility conditions.]

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    23 views4 pages

    Area Classifications Know The Limits

    Uploaded by

    Yeprem
    EI 15, the industry standard for area classification, has several limitations in its scope and application that process safety engineers should be aware of. These include: [1] EI 15 does not cover area classification for ignitable dusts; [2] Its dispersion modeling is based on fluid storage temperatures of 20°C and may not apply to refrigerated or cryogenic liquids; [3] The representative fluid compositions and release pressures it considers may not match some facility conditions.]

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    of 4

    AREA CLASSIFICATION : KNOW THE

    LIMITATIONS

    Elangovan M, CCPSC, CEng(I), FIE

    HAZOP & WHAT-IF Chairman / PSM Implementation & Improvement / Fire Protection Design
    2 articles Follow
    May 31, 2020

    Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the
    author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee or other
    group or individual.

    Hazardous Area classification (HAC) is an significant risk reduction measure in any


    Process Industries, in particular Oil & Gas facilities. Hazardous Area Classification is a
    multi-discipline activity driven by Process Safety Engineer with support/input data from
    Process Engineer, Piping Engineer & Electrical Engineer. Successful implementation of
    HAC require the thorough understanding of Codes & Standards as application to the
    facility, including the limitations of applicable codes. This article discuss about the
    interpretation of limitation of industry prevailing area classification standard EI 15.

    EI 15

    Energy Institute Model code of Practice Part 15 : Area Classification for Installations


    Handling Flammable Fluids is an Process Industry preferred reference standard for Area
    Classification. EI 15 latest edition being 4th Edition, released on June 2015. This is an
    detailed guide to any Process Safety Engineer performing the Area Classification task. As
    any standard, EI 15 has its own defined scope of application and limitations. Each of
    these limitations (Reference to 4th Edition of EI 15) with possible way forward are
    detailed below for ready reference:

    Ignitable Dust

    As clearly referenced from title of EI 15, i.e. Area Classification for Installations Handling
    Flammable Fluids,  Area classification for Ignitable ducts handling facilities are not
    covered by EI 15. Depending upon the facility geographic location, you may need to
    refer to API RP 505, NFPA 499, IEC 60079-10.2 etc for area classification details for
    Ignitable dust.

    Flammable Refrigerated or Cryogenic Liquids

    As most of us are well aware that area classification zone radii as detailed in EI 15 is
    based on the detailed dispersion analysis published as EI Research Report : Dispersion
    modelling and calculations in support of EI Model code of safe Practice-Part15: Area
    Classification for Installations Handling Flammable Fluids.  If you look in to table C2 of EI
    15, dispersion analysis are done for the fluid Storage / Process Temperature of 20˚C,
    which is significantly higher than the typical Refrigerated or Cryogenic Liquid
    temperature. Accordingly for Flammable Refrigerated or Cryogenic Liquids we need to
    refer to specific codes (ex. NFPA 59A) or else do the dispersion modelling to arrive on
    the zone extent.

    Representative fluid composition for categories A, B, C, G(i) & G(ii)

    Section C1.1 & Table C1 of EI 15 details the fluid composition considered for each fluid
    category for dispersion modelling. Remember that zone radii as detailed in EI 15 are
    based on these fluid compositions. If the facility you are dealing with has a fluid
    composition significantly deviating from these listed composition, then the zone radii to
    be defined based on the dispersion modelling rather than values given in Table C4 of EI
    15.

    Flammable Fluid Operating Pressure

    Further to the above detailed limitation, referring to Table C4 of E I15, zone radii are
    based on release pressure / fluid operating pressure. EI 15 have listed the zone radii for
    release pressure of 5, 10, 50 & 100 bar (a). Obviously if your system operating pressure
    is more than 100 bar (a), zone radii may not be listed in EI 15 and the same to be arrived
    based of dispersion modelling. This is the typical case for most of the process gas send
    out compressor discharge and downstream equipments.

    Plot plan based on Area Classification

    This is an misconception most Process Safety Engineer encounter in their job, in


    particular during plot plan development. The whole purpose of Area classification is to
    reduce the probability of coincidence of a flammable atmosphere and an electrical
    source of ignition. Hence Area classification zone extent should not be considered for
    layout development, however zone radii may be considered in separation distance.

    Example: Placing the air intake (HVAC, Air compressor) point outside the zone radii.

    Area Classification for Accidental / Catastrophic release

    This is another famous misconception that zone classification shall be valid for
    accidental / catastrophic release. Answer is wrong!. Basis of area classification is to
    reduce the ignition probability during normal operation. Area classification methodology
    assume that the facility has been designed, constructed & operated in accordance with
    applicable regulations, codes & industry best practices to reduce / manage the
    accidental / catastrophic release scenarios. 

    Example: An open vent in a flammable fluid storage tank shall be covered under area
    classification, however an inlet/outlet pipe rupture OR tank rupture is not under the
    purview of area classification.

    Zone Extent

    As discussed in the above sections, the purpose of area classification is to reduce the
    probability of coincidence of a flammable atmosphere and an electrical source of
    ignition. Let us assume zone radii extend beyond the facility fence, are we able to
    control the ignition source in this case. For sure the answer is NO, because ignition
    source control outside the facility fence is NOT possible.

    Ex. cars passing on the road outside the fence.

    Accordingly, based on majority cases, EI 15 specified the distance of 30 m as the


    maximum zone extent radii. If your zone radii calculation extend beyond 30 m then you
    need to look in to other means of risk reduction.

    Ex. Eliminate the release source, reduce the release magnitude etc.

    Small Scale Operations

    Section 1.2.3 and Annex E of EI 15 discuss in detail about the area classification as
    applicable to small scale operations. In a typical Oil & Gas project, these sections are
    referred when you have a laboratory OR Analyzer house. In this aspect an clear capacity
    threshold limits are given in section 1.2.3 of EI 15. Any laboratory / Analyzer house
    handling flammable fluid above these threshold capacity shall be zone classified.
    However remember that the given threshold value is based on good engineering
    practice and the Process Safety Engineer to consider the additional protection measures
    as listed below:

    1.    Adequate ventilation with redundant fans

    2.    Adequate F&G detectors with executive action to shut down the power supply to
    non-rated appliances upon detection of flammable gas

    3.    Extractive fume cupboards for testing/analyzing flammable fluids

    4.    Adequate standard operating procedures to ensure that at any time flammable fluid
    stored shall not exceed threshold limit

    Hope this short article shall be useful on understanding the EI 15 limitations. Feel free to
    share your experiences on Area classification limitations in the comment section.

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