API RP 500/505

KAVIN
Presentation
Recommended Practice for
Hazardous Area Classification
of Locations for Electrical
Installations at Petroleum
Facilities
 OVERVIEW

Oil and Gas Plants Handle Flammable Materials

 Hazardous Area
A “hazardous area” is defined as an area in which the
atmosphere contains, flammable of explosive gases; dusts or
vapors. In such an atmosphere a fire or explosion is possible
when three basic conditions are met. This Is referred to as the
“hazardous area” or “combustion” triangle.
 SCOPE
The Purpose of this API RP 500 is to provide guidelines for
classifying Class I, Division 1, Class I, Division 2 locations at
petroleum facilities for the selection and installation of
electrical equipment.

The Purpose of this API RP 505 is to provide guidelines for

classifying Class I, Zone 0, Class I Zone 1, Class I Zone 2
locations at petroleum facilities for the selection and installation
of electrical equipment.
CLASSIFICATION

Location Flammable or
Combustible
Materials
Class I Gases or Vapors
Class II Dust
Class III Fibers or Flying
Lower Explosive limit:
oncentration of flammable gas, Vapor or mist in air, below which an explo
s atmosphere will not be formed.

Upper Explosive Limit:

ncentration of flammable gas, Vapor or mist in air, above which an explo
s atmosphere will not be formed.
CLASS I AREA CLASSIFICATION
API 500 API 505

Zone 0
Where ignitable
Division 1 concentrations of
Where ignitable flammable gases,
concentrations of vapors or liquids can
flammable gases, exist all of the time or
vapors or liquids can for long periods of time
under normal operating
exist all of the time or
conditions.
some of the time
Zone 1
under normal Where ignitable
operating conditions. concentrations of
flammable gases,
vapors or liquids can
exist some of the time
under normal operating
conditions.
CLASS I AREA CLASSIFICATION

API 500 API 505

Division 2 Zone 2
Where ignitable Where ignitable
concentrations of concentrations of
flammable gases, flammable gases,
vapors or liquids are vapors or liquids are
not likely to exist not likely to exist
under normal under normal
operating conditions. operating conditions.
 SAFE AREA
(1) Area where the piping system is without valves,
fittings, flanges.
(2) Area where flammable liquids or vapor are transported
only in suitable containers or vessels.
(3) Area where permanent ignition sources are present
like area where combustion gases are present, for the
example flare tips, flare pits, other open flames and hot
surfaces.
(4) DG set room with adequate ventilation.
(5) Oil/gas fired boilers installations.
ing Relationship between Grade of Release, Presence
mable mixture and Zone Classification

Grade of Flammable Mixture Present Zone

Release

Continuous 1000 or more hours/ Year(10%) 0

Primary More than 10 or less than 1000 1

hours / Year (0.1% - 10%)
Secondary Less than 10 or more than 1 hours / 2
Year (0.01% - 0.1%)
None Less than 1 hour/ Year (0.01%) Unclassifie
d
ZARDOUS AREA CLASSIFICATION SYMB
API 500 API 505 SYMBOLS

CLASS I, ZONE 0

CLASS I, DIVISION CLASS I, ZONE 1

1

CLASS I, DIVISION CLASS I, ZONE 2

2
Non Enclosed Pumping
Well Head
Equipment Vent in a Nonenclosed Adequately Ventilat
elief Valve in a Nonenclosed Adequately Ventilated Ar
FLANGES INSTALLATION IN NON ENCLOSED ARE
Hydrocarbon Pressure Vessel
O HAZARDOUS AREA CLASSIFICA
essor or Pump in an Adequately Ventilated Nonenclose
r Compressor Handling Flammable Liquids or Highly Volatil
Above Grade Source With Closure
 LIQUID GROUPS
CLASSIFICATION FLASH POINT

CLASS II Above 100 °F to Below 140 °F

CLASS III A Above 140 °F to Below 200 °F

CLASS III B Above 200 °F

 GAS GROUPS
ammable Materials are subdivided into groups based on
inimum ignition energy Required for igniting them.
Typical Gas Hazard API 500 API 505
Acetylene A II C
Hydrogen B II C
Acetaldehyde, C II B
Ethylene,
Ethylene Glycol
Gasoline,Methane,Pro D II A
pane
Acetone, Ammonia
PROTECTION
TYPES
PROTECTION
TYPES
 SUMMARY
 Identify the flammable materials.
 Identify sources of release and determine
grade
of release ( and hence Zone 0, 1, 2 or
Division 1, 2 )
 Determine future and extent of hazardous
area.
Assign Gas Groups and Temperature Class.
Select appropriate Electrical apparatus.
 No Electrical Equipment shall be located
DISCUSSION
HOUR
THANK YOU