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Class I locations are those in which flammable gases or vapors are or may be present in the air in
quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures. (“Gases” refers to materials that are in
a gaseous state under normal atmospheric conditions. Examples of this would be hydrogen or
methane. “Vapors” refers to the gases over a material that is a liquid under normal atmospheric
conditions but emits gases within the flammable range under these atmospheric conditions.)
Division 1
locations are those where the volatile flammable gases or vapors exists under normal conditions, or
where volatile flammable gases or vapors may exist frequently because of repair or maintenance
operations or leakage, or where breakdown or faulty operation of electrical equipment or processes
might release ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors, and might also cause
simultaneous failure of electrical equipment in such a way as to directly cause the electrical
equipment to become the source of ignition. An example of this might be an area where a flammable
liquid is stored under cryogenic conditions, and a leak directly into the electrical equipment could
cause a failure of the electrical equipment at the same time the vapors of the evaporating liquid are
within the flammable range.)
Division 2
locations are those locations where ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors are not
likely to exist under normal conditions, or in locations that are adjacent to Class I, Division 1 locations
where there are no barriers or partition to separate the Division 1 space from a non-hazardous
location or where ventilation failure extend the area where flammables exist under normal conditions.
Groups
The gases and vapors of Class I locations are broken into four groups (NEC 500-503), by the codes
A, B, C & D. These divisions are because different materials have different explosion and ignition
characteristics. The grouping permits equipment to be tested based on the type of flammable material
in which it is intended to be used. It also permits area classification to be based on the type of
material anticipated in that location. The grouping is based on two major factors: the explosion
pressure generated during an explosion; and the maximum gap between ground flat mating metal
surfaces that will prevent propagation of an explosion through the gap to a flammable atmosphere of
the same flammable material and concentration. This chart shows common gases in Class I and how
they differ by ignition temperature and explosive pressure:
* Typical tested hydrostatic pressure required for electrical fittings such as unions, elbows, seals, etc.
Operating temperature
The rated operating temperature for hazardous (classified) products is determined by conducting
laboratory tests in an ambient temperature of 40 ° C. Products certified by the various agencies
consider products certified to their standards to be suitable for different temperature ranges. The
range for CSA ( Canada) is -50 ° C to +40 C to +40 ° C; the range for UL ( United States) is -25 ° C to
+40 ° C; the range for IEC and CENELEC (International) is -20 ° C to +40 ° C.
Class I and Class II areas use T-Codes or are subject to maximum temperature limitations as shown
in the following chart. North America and the IEC are consistent in their temperature or T-Codes.
However, unlike the IEC, North America includes incremental values as shown. Equipment tested
must have nameplates and marked showing class, group and operating temperature based on
operation in a 40 ° C ambient (see NEC 500-3 for exceptions). Non-heat producing equipment does
not have this requirement.
Maximum Temperature
North America Temp. Codes IE / CENELEC / US
(NEC-500) & CSA (NEC 505) T-CODES
°C °F
T1 T1 450 842
T2 T2 300 572
Maximum Temperature
North America Temp. Codes IE / CENELEC / US
(NEC-500) & CSA (NEC 505) T-CODES
°C °F
T3 T3 200 392
T4 T4 135 275
T5 T5 100 212
T6 T6 85 185
Both the Zone System and the Division group classify the different gases in ascending order of “more
easily ignitable”; Group “A” in the NEC (Division System) is the most easily ignitable – Acetylene,
whereas Group “A” in the IEC (Zone System) is the least easily ignitable. Further, the IEC uses three
groups for the representative gases and the NEC uses four. AD to this confusion, the IEC and NEC
do not use the same terminology and neither have the same number of categories to identify the
likelihood of the hazard being present.
Both Division and Zone Classification Systems start with a definition if what the hazard is and the
probability the hazard will be present. The NEC Division Classification Systems uses Classes and
Groups to identify hazards:
Groups further define the hazard in Class I and Class II areas. In Class I, there are Group A
(Acetylene and similar gases), Group B (Hydrogen and similar gases), Group C (Ethylene and similar
gases) and Group D (Propane and similar gases). Hazardous dusts and fibers (Class II & III
respectively) are not treated in Article 505.
The IEC Zone Classification System identifies the hazard by 2 Main Groups
Group I for mining (underground locations and Group II for surface (not underground)
locations. [Further Section 90-2(b)(2) states the NEC does not cover underground mining
installations.)
Group II is divided into 3 sub-groups in order of hazard to threat of ignition – Group A – the
least likely to ignite (such as Propane); Group B (gases such as Ethylene) and Group C – the
easiest to ignite (such as Acetylene and Hydrogen).
DEFINITION OF DIVISIONS
A Class I, Division 1 location is one where an explosive atmosphere is presumed to be present in
normal operation either all or part of the time.
A Class I, Division 2 location is one where volatile flammable liquids or gases are handled, processed
or used, but which are normally enclosed in containers from which they can only escape in the case
of accidental rupturing or abnormal operation of equipment.
DEFINITION OF ZONES
Class I locations can further be divided into Zones based upon the frequency of occurrence and
duration of and explosive gas or vapor atmosphere as follows:
Zone 0 areas are locations in which explosive gas or vapor atmospheres are present continuously or
for long periods of time. Zone 0 areas are those where there is a flammable mixture typically more
than 1,000 hours per year.
Zone 1 areas are those in which (a) explosive gas atmospheres are likely to occur in normal
operation, or (b) explosive gas atmospheres may exist frequently because of repair or maintenance
operations or because of leakage, or (c) the location is adjacent to a Class I, Zone 0 location from
which explosive gas atmospheres could be transmitted. Zone 1 areas are those where there is a
flammable mixture more than 10 hours per year and less than 1,000 hours per year.
Zone 2 areas are those in which (a) explosive gas or vapor atmospheres are not likely to occur and if
they do occur, will exist for a short period of time, or (b) flammable liquids, gases or vapors are
handled, processed or used, but in which liquids, vapors or gases are normally confined within closed
containers or closed systems from which they can escape only as a result of accidental rupture or
breakdown of the containers or systems or the abnormal operation of the equipment by which the
liquids, gases or vapors are handled, processed or used, or (c) explosive gas atmospheres are
normally prevented by adequate ventilation but which may occur as a result of failure of the ventilation
system, or (d) the location is adjacent to a Class I, Zone 1 location from which explosive gas
atmospheres could be transmitted unless this is prevented by adequate positive-pressure ventilation
from a source of clean air and effective safeguards against failure of the ventilation system. Zone 2
areas are those where explosive gas atmospheres will exist for less than 10 hours per year.