FAQ
Hazloc, EX, ATEX and NRTL

FAQ General

General questions

What industries use hazardous location equipment?

Many industries need special equipment because they work in dangerous places where there's a high risk of fires or explosions. This is because they deal with flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers. Here are some of the main industries that use this kind of equipment:

• Oil and Gas: This industry uses equipment that won't cause explosions when dealing with oil and gas extraction and processing.
• Chemical: Places that make or handle chemicals need equipment that prevents fires and explosions because of explosive gases or vapors.
• Pharmaceuticals: Making medicines involves processes that could create explosive dust, so they need safe equipment.
• Mining: Mining, especially for coal, can release flammable gases, requiring special equipment to keep things safe.
• Agriculture and Food Processing: Industries dealing with grains and food produce a lot of dust that could explode, needing dust-proof equipment.
• Power Generation: Power plants, especially those using fossil fuels, need equipment that can safely operate around explosive gases or dust.
• Paint and Coatings: The solvents in paints can create explosive vapors, requiring safe equipment for manufacturing and storing.
• Pulp and Paper: This industry deals with combustible dust and chemicals, needing equipment that prevents ignition.
• Waste Management: Recycling plants and landfills can produce explosive gases from decomposing materials, so they need equipment that can handle these conditions safely.
• Maritime and Offshore: Ships and offshore platforms, particularly in oil and gas, need equipment designed for explosive atmospheres because of flammable gases and vapors.

These industries must follow strict safety rules to prevent accidents, using equipment designed to work safely even in these risky environments.

 

What is considered a hazardous location?

A hazardous location is defined as an area where the presence of flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers in the air creates a risk of explosion or fire. The nature and extent of the hazard depend on the likelihood of an explosive atmosphere being present and its potential interaction with electrical equipment or other ignition sources. These locations are categorized based on the type of hazardous material present and the frequency and duration of the explosive atmosphere's presence.

 

What are the potential consequences of using non-certified equipment in a hazardous location?

Using non-certified electrical equipment in a hazardous location can cause an explosion or fire. Hazardous locations are areas where flammable or combustible substances, such as vapors, dust, fibers, or gas are present, which can lead to fires or explosions. Electrical equipment in these locations can provide an ignition source due to high temperatures or electrical arcing. Non-electrical equipment can also pose a risk of explosion due to hot surfaces, static electricity, friction, and impact.

 

How many international certification schemes exist for hazardous location equipment certification?

There are three (3) international certification systems in the world for HazLoc products:

• North America: USA, Canada / Mandatory
• ATEX: EU (27 countries), EFTA (4 countries), and Turkey / Mandatory
• IECEx: 36 member states / Voluntary and widely recognized by the rest of the world.
  • Harmonized standards worldwide – IEC/EN/UL/CSA 60079 series.

 

 

What the difference between the IECEx Equipment Certification Scheme, Unit Verification Certification and Limited Product Certification?

The International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx System) offers several certification schemes to facilitate international trade in equipment and services for use in explosive atmospheres, while maintaining the required level of safety. Among these, the IECEx Equipment Certification Scheme, Unit Verification, and Limited Product Certification serve different purposes and have distinct processes.

Each of these certification schemes addresses different market needs. The Equipment Certification Scheme is for wide-scale product distribution, Unit Verification is for one-off or limited quantity items, and Limited Product Certification caters to products meeting essential safety requirements without full standard compliance. These variations ensure flexibility in certifying equipment for explosive atmospheres while upholding safety standards.

 

IECEx Equipment Certification Scheme

Provides a certification of conformity that assures international acceptance for explosive atmosphere equipment based on IEC standards. It is designed for mass-produced products.

Manufacturers submit their equipment for testing and assessment by an IECEx recognized Testing Laboratory (ExTL). The equipment is evaluated against the applicable IEC standards for explosive atmospheres. If compliant, the product is issued an IECEx Certificate of Conformity (CoC), facilitating global market access.

Unit Verification

This is tailored for bespoke or custom-made equipment, or equipment produced in small quantities, not intended for mass production. It verifies the specific unit’s compliance with IEC standards.

Each individual unit (or batch) is inspected and tested to ensure it meets the required IEC standards for safe use in explosive atmospheres. A Unit Verification Certificate is issued for the specific unit(s) tested, providing assurance of safety and compliance, but this certification is not intended for mass-produced items.

Limited Product Certification

It offers a form of certification for products that may not fully comply with every clause of an IEC standard but still meet essential safety requirements. This certification is less common and typically applies under specific circumstances.

The product undergoes evaluation to ascertain compliance with the fundamental safety principles of the relevant IEC standards. The certification indicates that while the product may not meet all standard specifics, it upholds critical safety requirements for use in hazardous locations.

Each of these certification schemes addresses different market needs. The Equipment Certification Scheme is for wide-scale product distribution, Unit Verification is for one-off or limited quantity items, and Limited Product Certification caters to products meeting essential safety requirements without full standard compliance. These variations ensure flexibility in certifying equipment for explosive atmospheres while upholding safety standards.

 

What is explosion protection?

Explosion protection refers to measures, strategies, and technologies implemented to prevent or mitigate the risks of explosions in environments with flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers. The main goal of explosion protection is to ensure the safety of personnel, facilities, and the surrounding environment in hazardous areas with a potential fire or explosion.

Explosion protection is particularly critical in industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and manufacturing, where flammable substances can create hazardous atmospheres. Without proper explosion protection measures, igniting flammable materials can lead to catastrophic consequences, causing injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage.

Common methods of explosion protection methods include:

Explosion Proof/ Flame-Proof Enclosures

Intrinsic Safety

Increased Safety

Encapsulation

Purge or Pressurization

Limitation of Ignition Sources

Proper Grounding and Bonding

Dust Collection and Housekeeping

Maintenance and Inspection

 

What is the explosion protection directive?

The Explosion Protection Directive, officially known as Directive 2014/34/EU, is a European Union directive outlining the requirements for equipment and protective systems for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The directive is commonly referred to as the ATEX Directive, which stands for ATmosphères EXplosibles, derived from the French translation.

The main objective of the Explosion Protection Directive is to ensure a high level of safety for workers and the environment in areas where there is a risk of explosions due to the presence of flammable gases, vapors, mists, dust, or fibers. The directive sets out the essential health and safety requirements that manufacturers must comply with before placing their products on the market for use in hazardous areas.

Key points and requirements of the ATEX Directive include:

Hazardous Area Classification

Conformity Assessment

Marking and Labeling

Documentation

Worker Safety and Training

Continuous Monitoring and Compliance

The ATEX/Explosion Protection Directive is crucial in harmonizing safety standards across the European Union and facilitating the free movement of equipment and protective systems in hazardous areas. It helps ensure that products placed on the market in EU member states meet the necessary safety standards to prevent ignition sources and minimize the risk of explosions in potentially explosive atmospheres.

 

What is an explosion protection document?

An Explosion Protection Document (EPD) or Explosion Protection Plan (EPP), is a comprehensive document that outlines the measures, strategies, and procedures implemented to prevent or mitigate the risks of explosions in hazardous areas. The main purpose of the explosion protection document is to ensure the safety of personnel, facilities, and the surrounding environment in locations where flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers are present.

The explosion protection document is a key requirement in industries where flammable substances, such as oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and manufacturing, can create hazardous atmospheres.

The explosion protection document typically includes the following key elements:

Hazardous Area Classification

Equipment Selection and Design

Ignition Source Control

Preventive Measures

Emergency Response Procedures

Training and Awareness

Record Keeping

 

What are the explosion protection standards?

Explosion protection standards are established guidelines and requirements that define the design, testing, and certification criteria for equipment, systems, and procedures used to prevent or mitigate the risks of explosions in hazardous areas. These standards are developed by international organizations, national bodies, and industry associations to ensure a consistent and systematic approach to explosion protection across various industries and regions.

Some of the key explosion protection standards include:

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 60079 series

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70

The ATEX (ATmosphere EXplosive) directive and European Norms (EN) 60079 series

ISO/IEC 80079 series

ANSI/UL Standards

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards

The IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for use in Explosive Atmospheres) scheme

 

What are the explosion protection types?

Explosion protection types refer to the different methods and techniques used to prevent or mitigate the risks of explosions in hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers are present. These protection types are designed to ensure the safety of personnel, facilities, and the surrounding environment in industries where flammable substances can create hazardous atmospheres.

Some common explosion protection types include:

Intrinsically Safe

Increased Safety

Dust Ignition Protection

Flameproof

Encapsulation

Non-Incentive

Purged and Pressurized

Hermetically Sealed

 

 

What is HazLoc?

HazLoc is short for "Hazardous Location," referring to environments or areas with flammable and explosive gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers. These HazLoc areas require specific safety measures for electrical and mechanical equipment used in these locations. Industries like oil and gas, chemical, mining, and manufacturing often encounter HazLoc areas, where using non-certified equipment could lead to catastrophic incidents. Therefore, having HazLoc-certified products is essential to ensure the safety of workers, facilities, and the environment in these potentially hazardous settings.

 

Explosion Proof vs. Hazardous location? What’s the difference?

Explosion-proof and hazardous location are two terms used to describe different aspects of safety measures or environments with a risk of explosions. While they are related to each other, they refer to different concepts:

Explosion-Proof: Refers to the design and construction of equipment, such as electrical enclosures, motors, lights, switches, and other devices, to prevent the ignition of flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers within the equipment. Explosion-proof equipment is engineered to contain any potential explosion within the enclosure, ensuring that flames or hot gases do not escape and ignite the surrounding atmosphere. These enclosures are designed to withstand the pressure generated by an internal explosion and prevent it from causing further damage.

Hazardous Location: Refers to an area where the presence of flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers creates a potentially explosive atmosphere. These areas are classified based on the likelihood of encountering such hazardous substances. Hazardous location classifications are typically divided into zones or classes, depending on the type and frequency of the hazardous material present. For example, Class I locations have flammable gases and vapors, Class II locations involve combustible dust, and Class III locations deal with fibers or filings. Proper equipment and safety measures, such as explosion-proof equipment, are essential in hazardous locations to prevent ignition sources and mitigate the risk of explosions.

 

What is a HazLoc classification?

A HazLoc classification is a system used to categorize and define hazardous areas based on flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers. This classification helps identify the level of risk for potential ignition and explosion in specific environments. It also considers factors like ventilation, temperature, and potential ignition sources to determine the level of hazard in the location. Depending on the local regulations, areas may be classified based on the Division or Zone systems. These systems are used to describe the type of ignitable atmosphere and what the likelihood is of the ignitable atmosphere being present.

 

What is a HazLoc standard?

A HazLoc standard is a set of guidelines, specifications, and requirements developed to ensure the safe design, construction, and use of electrical equipment and devices in hazardous environments. These standards are created by various organizations, regulatory bodies, and industry associations to address the risks associated with flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers in certain locations. HazLoc standards provide manufacturers, engineers, and safety professionals with specific criteria that electrical and non-electrical equipment must meet to be used safely in hazardous areas. These standards typically cover aspects such as:

Classification of hazardous areas: Defining the zones or divisions based on the presence of hazardous substances and the likelihood of their ignition.

Design requirements: Guidelines for the construction and design of electrical equipment to prevent the release of ignition sources and reduce the risk of explosions.

Testing procedures: Specific testing methods and protocols to verify that the equipment meets safety requirements and is suitable for use in hazardous environments.

Certification process: Requirements for the certification and labeling of equipment to indicate its suitability for use in hazardous locations.

Complying with HazLoc standards is essential for manufacturers and users of electrical and mechanical equipment operating in hazardous environments. Adhering to these standards ensures the safety of personnel, facilities, and the environment in industries such as oil and gas, chemical, mining, and manufacturing, where the risk of explosions must be minimized.

 

What are HazLoc regulations and what countries enforce them?

HazLoc regulations are specific safety guidelines and legal requirements imposed by government authorities and regulatory bodies to ensure the safe use of electrical and mechanical equipment, devices, and materials in hazardous locations. These regulations are designed to prevent fire or explosion risks in environments with flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or fibers.

The HazLoc regulations may vary depending on the country or region and are often based on internationally recognized standards. Some common HazLoc regulations include:

 

National Electrical Code (NEC) & UL Standards: In the United States, the NEC includes specific requirements for hazardous locations, under the Division or Zone system, but the Division system is more commonly used.

Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) & CSA Standards: In Canada, the CEC includes provisions for hazardous locations classified under the Division or Zone system, but the Zone system is more commonly used.

ATEX Directive: In the European Union, the ATEX Directive (ATEX 2014/34/EU) regulates the manufacture and use of equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. It uses a zone system divided into ATEX Category 1 (for zones 0-20), Category 2 (for zones 1 and 21), and Category 3 (for zones 2 and 22).

IECEx Scheme: The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) established the IECEx Scheme to provide international certification for electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres and uses the Zone system.

GOST-R Certification: In Russia, the GOST-R certification system includes requirements for electrical equipment used in hazardous areas.

INMETRO: In Brazil, the INMETRO (National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology) establishes regulations for hazardous location equipment.

PESO: The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) regulates hazardous location equipment in India.

These HazLoc regulations define the classifications of hazardous areas, specify the types of equipment allowed for use in each classification, and set standards for the design, construction, and testing of HazLoc-certified products.

 

What is HazLoc testing?

HazLoc testing refers to an important phase in the evaluation of an electrical or mechanical device or product for use in Explosive Atmospheres. The testing is specific to the protection method or methods being utilized within the equipment. Some examples of common tests are temperature measurements, thermal endurance, ingress protection (IP), impact, and pressure and purge testing.

The primary goal of HazLoc testing and evaluations is to ensure that the equipment used in hazardous locations meets the necessary safety standards and regulations, preventing ignition sources and minimizing the risk of accidents or incidents in these sensitive areas. HazLoc testing and evaluation is typically carried out by accredited third-party testing laboratories that evaluate products for compliance with HazLoc standards.

The HazLoc testing and evaluation process involves several key steps:

Product and design assessment

Documentation and labeling requirements and review

Environmental Simulation

Electrical Testing

Mechanical Testing

Explosion-Proof Verification

Report Generation

Agency Certification

HazLoc testing and evaluation ensures that electrical and mechanical equipment used in hazardous locations is safe, reliable, and compliant with safety standards and regulations. It provides manufacturers, distributors, and end-users with confidence that the products they use suit the specific hazardous environments in which they are deployed.