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Hazardous Locations: Classes, Divisions
Industries
and Groups
Product Resources Quick Tips #124
Productivity
Electrical equipment can cause explosions in certain atmospheres. Equipment Tools for Your
Safety Solution Center used in areas where explosive concentrations of dusts or vapors may exist must
be equipped with special wiring and other electrical components for safety Safety Program:
Small Business purposes. Hazardous (classi ed) locations such as these might exist in aircraft Environmental Safety
hangars, gasoline stations, paint- nishing locations or grain bins.
Hazards
Info Library
In North America, the most widely used hazardous location classi cation system Dust Collectors
SupplyLink is de ned by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Publication 70,
National Electric Code® (NEC) in Articles 500 to 506. The type of hazardous Flammable Cabinets
substances that is or may be present in the air in quantities su cient to produce
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explosive or ignitable mixtures is speci ed.
The NFPA establishes area classi cations based on Classes, Divisions and Zones Interested In:
that when combined delineate the hazardous conditions of a speci c area. This Flammable and
classi cation method provides a description of the hazardous material that may
Combustible Liquid
be present, and the probability that it is present, so that the appropriate equipment
Storage
may be selected and safe installation practices followed. The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted these hazardous classi cations Combustible Dust
from the NEC and they are de ned in 29 Code of Federal Register (CFR) 1910.399. Explosions
Class I, Division 1: There are three different situations that could exist to classify
an area as a Class I, Division 1 location:
1. Ignitable concentrations of ammable gases or vapors may exist under Hazardous Location
Lighting
normal operating conditions.
2. Ignitable concentrations of such gases or vapors may exist frequently
because of repair or maintenance operations or because of leakage.
3. Breakdown or faulty operation of equipment or processes might release
ignitable concentrations of ammable gases or vapors, and might also cause
simultaneous failure of electric equipment.
Class I, Division 2: One of the following three situations must exist in order for an
area to be considered a Class I, Division 2 location:
Class I, Zone 0: One of the following two situations must exist in order for an area
to be considered a Class I, Zone 0 location:
Class I, Zone 1: One of the following four situations must exist in order for an area
to be considered a Class I, Zone 1 location:
Class I, Zone 2: One of the following four situations must exist in order for an area
to be considered a Class I, Zone 2 location:
The table below provides a comparison between the “Class, Division” System and
the “Zone” System:
The frequency of occurrence determines the level of hazard for a location. The
longer the material is present, the greater the risk:
Class II Locations
Class II hazardous locations are areas where combustible dust, rather than gases
or liquids, may be present in varying hazardous concentrations. Class II locations
are further subdivided into two divisions.
Class II, Division 1: One of the following three situations must exist in order for an
area to be considered a Class II, Division 1 location:
Class II, Division 2: One of following two situations must exist in order for an area
to be considered a Class II, Division 2 location:
Class III hazardous locations contain easily ignitable bers or yings, but the
concentration of these bers or yings are not suspended in the air in such
quantities that would produce ignitable mixtures. Class III locations are further
subdivided into two divisions.
Class III, Division 2: Easily ignitable bers are stored or handled, other than in the
process of manufacture.
Hazardous Groupings
In 29 CFR 1910.307(c)(2)(ii), OSHA requires all equipment used in a hazardous
location to be marked with the class, group and operating temperature or
temperature range for which it is approved. However, OSHA does not provide a
de nition of group classi cations in 29 CFR 1910.307 or 399. OSHA does provide
a note under 29 CFR 1910.307(c)(1) that states:
NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, lists or de nes hazardous gases, vapors,
and dusts by “Groups” characterized by their ignitable or combustible properties.
To meet OSHA’s marking requirement, the marking must include the hazardous
group the equipment is approved to operate in. The 2014 edition of the NEC
de nes these groups as:
Q: Can equipment approved for a Class I hazardous location be used in a Class II hazardous location?
A: No. Equipment used in Class I and Class II hazardous locations are made for different purposes. Equipment approved
for Class I hazardous locations must contain an internal explosion, while Class II approved equipment must seal out
dust. They are not interchangeable.
Sources
(Rev. 4/2016)
Find even more information you can use to help make informed decisions about the regulatory issues you face in your workp
every day. View all Quick Tips Technical Resources at www.grainger.com/quicktips.
Please Note:
The information contained in this publication is intended for general information purposes only and is based on information a
as of the initial date of publication. No representation is made that the information or references are complete or remain curre
This publication is not a substitute for review of the current applicable government regulations and standards specific to your
location and business activity, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion. Readers with specific questions shoul
to the applicable standards or consult with an attorney.
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