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I NTRODUCT I ON HAZARDOUS LOCATION DATA

Hazardous Locations

Hazardous Locations include areas where the risk of a fire or explosion may exist due to the presence of flammable gases, vapors or liquids, combustible dust, or easily ignitable fibers or flyings. While these materials can be found almost anywhere, they are usually present in quantities far less than what is required for a fire or explosion hazard to occur. Since the broad definition of hazardous location includes any location where these materials are processed, handled, or used areas are defined based on a risk assessment that considers the amount of material that may be present in the air in sufficient quantities for an explosion to occur. A simple example would be an outdoor propane grill that “uses” propane cylinders as the heat source, the grill and surrounding areas are not classified as a hazardous location because the risk of an explosion occurring is negligible. However, a facility that fills propane cylinders would be due to the filling process and volume of gas present. The terms used to define hazardous areas identified in Codes and Standards for electrical installations: • International Electrotechnical Commission® (IEC) uses the term “Explosive Atmospheres”. • The National Electrical Code® (NEC) uses the term “Hazardous (Classified) Locations”. * US Standards use the term “Explosive Atmospheres” for Zone Equipment and Hazardous Locations for Class/Division Equipment. • Canadian Electrical Code® (CE Code) uses the term “Explosive Atmospheres” for the Zone System (Sections 18 and 20) and equipment and Hazardous Locations for the Class/ Division System (in Annex J18 and J20) and equipment. From an electrical installation perspective, areas identified as hazardous locations do not include all “explosive materials”. The NEC®, CE Code® and IEC® specifically exclude high explosives such as propellants, explosives, munitions, peroxides, oxidizers, pyrophoric, and pyrotechnics materials (such as fireworks) and water-reactive elements or compounds. NOTE: There are National regulations that address the manufacturing, handling and use of high explosives. While some regulations may mandate the use of electrical equipment suitable for hazardous locations, it is simply to provide a higher level of safety than general-purpose equipment. Hazardous location electrical equipment is not designed or tested to withstand the risks associated with high explosives.

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