PART

Section 6: Hazardous Areas

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CHAPTER SECTION

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Machinery, Equipment and Their Installation Hazardous Areas

1
1.1

Definitions
Hazardous Areas Hazardous areas are all those areas where a flammable atmosphere may be expected to exist continuously or intermittently. Such flammable atmospheres may arise from drilling or well test operations, other operations such as use and storage of flammable liquids, paint and acetylene, or any such operation pertinent to the particular service of the unit. Hazardous areas are subdivided into Zones 0, 1, 2, defined as follows:
Zone 0 Zone 1 Zone 2 A zone in which an explosive gas-air mixture is continuously present or present for long periods. A zone in which an explosive gas-air mixture is likely to occur in normal operating conditions. A zone in which an explosive gas-air mixture is not likely to occur, and if it occurs, it will exist only for a short time.

1.3

Enclosed Space An enclosed space is considered to be a space bounded by decks and bulkheads which may or may not have doors, windows or other similar openings. Semi-Enclosed Location A semi-enclosed location is considered to be a location where natural conditions of ventilation are notably different from those on open decks due to the presence of structure such as roofs, windbreaks and bulkheads and which are arranged so that the dispersion of gas may not occur.

1.5

Classification of Areas
The following hazardous areas are those which normally apply to offshore drilling units engaged in oil or gas exploration. Hazardous areas as specified may be extended or reduced depending on the actual arrangements in each case by use of windshields, special ventilation arrangements, structural arrangements (e.g., low deck head), etc. Hazardous areas arising from well testing equipment will be specially considered [See 1-1-5/1.15 of the Supplement to the ABS Rules for Conditions of Classification Offshore Units and Structures (Part 1)].

3.1

Hazardous Areas Zone 0 Include: i) The internal spaces of closed tanks and pipes of the mud circulating system between the well and the final degassing discharge, e.g., escape gas outlets,
ii) iii) The internal spaces of closed pipes and tanks for oil and gas products, Other spaces in which an oil-gas mixture is present, continuously or for long periods.

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3.3

Hazardous Areas Zone 1 Include: i) Enclosed spaces containing any part of the mud circulating system that has an opening into the spaces and is between the well and the final degassing discharge.
ii) Outdoor or semi-enclosed locations within 1.5 m (5 ft) from the following: openings to equipment which is part of the mud system, as specified in 4-3-6/3.3i); any ventilation outlets from Zone 1 spaces; and any access to Zone 1 spaces, except where 4-3-6/5.1 or 4-3-6/5.5 applies. Pits, ducts or similar structures in locations which otherwise would be Zone 2 but which are arranged so the dispersion of gas may not occur. Enclosed spaces or semi-enclosed locations that are below the drill floor and contain a possible source of release of gas such as the top of a drilling nipple. Enclosed spaces that are on the drill floor and which are not separated by a solid floor from the spaces in 4-3-6/3.3iv).

iii) iv) v)

3.5

Hazardous Areas Zone 2 Include: i) Enclosed spaces which contain open sections of the mud circulating system from the final degassing discharge to the mud pump suction connection at the mud pit.
ii) iii) iv) v) vi) vii) viii) ix) Outdoors locations within the boundaries of the drilling derrick up to a height of 3 m (10 ft) above the drill floor. To the extent of their enclosure, semi-enclosed locations that are on the drill floor and which are not separated by a solid floor from the spaces in 4-3-6/3.3iv). Semi-enclosed derricks to the extent of their enclosures above the drill floor or to a height of 3 m (10 ft) above the drill floor, whichever is greater. Semi-enclosed locations below and contiguous with the drill floor and to the boundaries of the derrick or to the extent of any enclosure which is liable to trap gases. Outdoor locations below the drill floor and within a radius of 3 m (10 ft) from a possible source of release gas such as the top of a drilling nipple. The areas 1.5 m (5 ft) beyond the Zone 1 areas specified in 4-3-6/3.3ii) and beyond the semi-enclosed locations specified in 4-3-6/3.3iv). Outdoor locations within 1.5 m (5 ft) of the boundaries of any ventilation outlet from Zone 2 spaces, or any access to Zone 2 spaces, except where 4-3-6/5.3 applies. (1995) Air lock spaces between Zone 1 and non-hazardous space, in accordance with 4-3-6/5.5i).

Openings, Access, and Ventilation Conditions Affecting the Extent of Hazardous Zones
Except for operational reasons, access doors or other openings are not to be provided between a non-hazardous space and a hazardous zone, nor between a Zone 2 space and a Zone 1 space. Where such access doors or other openings are provided, any enclosed pace not referred to under 4-3-6/3.3 or 4-3-6/3.5 and having a direct access to any Zone 1 location or Zone 2 location becomes the same zone as the location, except that:

5.1

Enclosed Space with Direct Access to any Zone 1 Location An enclosed space with direct access to any Zone 1 location is considered as Zone 2, provided: (see also 4-3-6/Figure 1):
i) ii) iii) The access is fitted with a gas-tight door opening into the zone 2 space, and Ventilation is such that the air flow with the door open is from the zone 2 space into the zone 1 location, and Loss of ventilation is alarmed at a normally manned station;
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4-3-6

FIGURE 1 Hazardous Zones

Broken lines represent open, semi-enclosed, or enclosed zone.

Zone 1

Zone 1

Gastight Door Zone 1 Zone 2

Air Flow

Note: Loss of ventilation is to be alarmed at a normally manned station

5.3

Enclosed Space with Direct Access to any Zone 2 Location An enclosed space with direct access to any Zone 2 location is not considered hazardous, provided (see also 4-3-6/Figure 2):
i) ii) ii) The access is fitted with self-closing gas-tight door that opens into the non-hazardous space, and Ventilation is such that the air flow with the door open is from the non-hazardous space into the Zone 2 locations, and Loss of ventilation is alarmed at a normally manned station.

FIGURE 2 Hazardous Zones

Broken lines represent open, semi-enclosed, or enclosed zone.

Zone 2

Zone 2

Self-closing Gastight Door Zone 2 Non-Hazardous

Air Flow

Note: Loss of ventilation is to be alarmed at a normally manned station

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5.5

Enclosed Space with Access to any Zone 1 Location An enclosed space with access to any Zone 1 location is not considered hazardous, provided (see also 4-3-6/Figure 3):
i) ii) The access is fitted with gas-tight self-closing doors forming an air lock, or a single self-closing gas-tight door which opens toward the non-hazardous space and has no hold-back device, Ventilation is such that the air flow with the door or air lock doors open is from the non-hazardous space into the Zone 1 location (i.e., non-hazardous space has ventilation overpressure in relation to the Zone 1 location), and Loss of ventilation overpressure is alarmed at a normally manned station.

iii)

FIGURE 3 Hazardous Zones

Broken lines represent open, semi-enclosed, or enclosed zone. Air Flow Non-Hazardous

Zone 1

Zone 1

Zone 1

Air Lock

Note: Loss of ventilation is to be alarmed at a normally manned station

Self-closing Gastight Door (having no hold back device) Zone 1 Non-Hazardous

Air Flow

Note: Loss of ventilation is to be alarmed at a normally manned station

7
7.1

Ventilation
General Attention is to be given to ventilation inlet and outlet locations and airflow in order to minimize the possibility of cross contamination. Ventilation inlets are to be located in non-hazardous areas. Ventilation for hazardous areas is to be completely separate from that for non-hazardous areas. Ventilation of Hazardous Areas Enclosed hazardous spaces are to be provided with ventilation so as to maintain them at a lower pressure than less hazardous zones. The arrangement of ventilation inlet and outlet openings in the space is to be such that the entire space is efficiently ventilated, giving special consideration to location of equipment which may release gas and to spaces where gas may accumulate. Enclosed hazardous spaces containing open active mud tanks are to be ventilated with high capacity mechanical venting systems capable of changing the air every two minutes. The outlet air from Zone 1 and Zone 2 spaces is to be led in separate ducts to outdoor locations which in the absence of the considered outlet are of the same or lesser hazard than the ventilated space. The internal spaces of such ducts are the same Zone as the inlet space. Ventilation ducts for hazardous areas are to be at under pressure in relation to less hazardous areas and at overpressure in relation to more hazardous areas, when passing through such areas, and are to be rigidly constructed to avoid air leaks. Fans are to be of non-sparking construction, in accordance with 4-3-3/9.7.

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4-3-6

7.5

Ventilation of Non-hazardous Areas Ventilation inlets and outlets for non-hazardous spaces are to be located in non-hazardous areas. Where passing through hazardous areas, ducts are to have overpressure in relation to the hazardous area.

9
9.1

Machinery Installations
General Exhaust outlets of internal combustion engines and boilers are to discharge outside of all hazardous areas. Air intakes are to be not less than 3 m (10 ft) from hazardous areas. Exhaust outlets of internal combustion engines are to be fitted with suitable spark-arresting devices, and exhaust piping insulation is to be protected against possible oil absorption in areas or spaces where the exhausting piping is exposed to oil or oil vapors. Hazardous Areas Internal combustion engines are not to be installed in Zone 0 hazardous areas. When essential for operational purposes, internal combustion engines may be installed in Zone 1 and 2 hazardous areas. Such installations will be subject to special consideration. Fired boilers are not to be installed in hazardous areas.

9.3

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