Chapter 20

General Requirements for

Group B

Group B represents closed sources of hazard that contain Class I flammable

products with heavier-than-air gases or vapors located indoors that are not venti-
lated, or are insufficiently ventilated, and which are classified in accordance with
the information in Part 1.
Figure B-1. The major requirements for classifying the location as shown in
Fig. B-1 are as follows:
Items pertaining to the degree of danger:
B1 - type of product = flammable liquid
C1 - system operating mode = closed
D1 - location with/without source of hazard = with
D2 - above or below grade = above
D3 - how is location considered = indoors
D4 - number of vapor tight walls of location = 3
D5 - type of location = process plant
E1 - type of ventilation = none
F1 - release of flammable gas/vapor = occasional

264
 Chapter 20: General Requirements for Group B 265

Items pertaining to the extent of danger:

A1 - type of source of hazard = process plant
A2 - size of source of hazard = large
B5 - flammability class = I
B6 - vapor density = heavier than air
C5 - system pressure = moderate
D6 - floor space occupied = 100%

Figure B-1. Process plant handling flammable liquid at moderate pressure (insufficiently ventilated
location).

As indicated in Fig. B-1, the operating mode of the sources of hazard in the
indoor location is closed (Item C1). The release of flammable material to the
atmosphere, therefore, is only occasional (Item F1). Since the indoor location is
not ventilated (Item E1), it is necessary that the location be classified Div. 1.
Because the indoor location contains a large process plant (Items A1 and A2),
operating at moderate pressure (Item C5), it is necessary that the entire indoor
location be classified Div. 1. The extent of the Div. 1 area as measured from the
source of hazard in both vertical and horizontal directions (Items A2, B5, B6, and
266 Electrical Safety in Flammable Gas/Vapor Laden Atmospheres

D5) shall be 25 and 50 ft respectively. As shown in Fig. B-1, an additional danger

zone 10 ft wide must be applied beyond the building opening. This additional
danger zone is required because 1) the indoor location is entirely classified, or 2)
the distance between the source of hazard and the opening of the building is the
same as the required 50 ft horizontal boundary. The additional danger zone shall be
classified Div. 2 because the release of flammable gases or vapors to the outdoors,
in case of an accidental rupture, is only occasional, and, therefore, they are
considered rapidly dispersed and diluted by natural ventilation. The classification
and extent of hazard for the process plant is in compliance with the following:
Table Item
1-3 7
1-4B 1

Figure B-2. Process plant indoors handling volatile flammable liquid at high pressure (insuffi-
ciently ventilated location).
 Chapter 20: General Requirements for Group B 267

Figure B-2. The major requirements for classifying the location as shown in
Fig. B-2 are as follows:
Items pertaining to the degree of danger:
B1 - type of product = volatile liquid
C1 - system operating mode = closed
D1 - location with/without source of hazard = with
D2 - above or below grade = above
D3 - how is location considered = indoors
D4 - number of vapor tight walls of location = 3
D5 - type of location = process plant
E1 - type of ventilation = none
F1 - release of flammable gas/vapor = occasional
Items pertaining to the extent of danger:
A1 - type of source of hazard = process plant
A2 - size of source of hazard = large
B5 - flammability class = I
B6 - vapor density = heavier than air
C5 - system pressure = high
D6 - floor space occupied = 100%
As indicated by Item C1, the operating mode of the source of hazard is
closed. Therefore, the release of flammable material to the atmosphere can only
occur occasionally (Item F1). Since the indoor location lacks sufficient ventilation
(Item E1), the location must be classified Div. 1. In this case, the entire indoor
location must be classified Div. 1 because:
1. the source of hazard (Item A2) is large
2. the flammable liquid is highly volatile (Item B1)
3. the pressure in the system (Item C5) is high
The extent of the Div. 1 area as measured from the outline of the source of
hazard in both horizontal and vertical directions (as a result of Items A2, B1, B5,
B6, and D5) shall be 100 ft and 25 ft respectively and outdoors 2 ft high. Although
the 100 ft hazardous boundary is extending beyond the open perimeter of the
building, an additional danger zone 10 ft wide extending vertically up to the roof of
the building must also be applied.
Because the source of hazard has a closed operating mode, the boundary and
additional danger zone outdoors may be classified Div. 2. The reason for the Div.
2 classification is 1) the release of flammable gases or vapors to the outdoors is
considered an occasional event, and 2) the occasional presence of flammable gases
or vapors outdoors is rapidly dispersed and diluted by natural ventilation. Since the
268 Electrical Safety in Flammable Gas/Vapor Laden Atmospheres

roof of the building is not vapor tight, a danger zone 10 ft wide on top of the roof
should be applied as an additional safety precaution. This is only required for an
indoor location that is entirely classified. The classification and extent of hazard
for the process plant are in compliance with the following:
Table Item
1-3 7
1-4B 2

Figure B-3. Pumphouse with small pumps handling Class I flammable liquid (insufficiently
ventilated location).
 Chapter 20: General Requirements for Group B 269

Figure B-3. The major requirements for classifying the location as shown in
Fig. B-3 are as follows:
Items pertaining to the degree of danger:
B1 - type of product = flammable liquid
C1 - system operating mode = closed
D1 - location with/without source of hazard = with
D2 - above or below grade = above
D3 - how is location considered = indoors
D4 - number of vapor tight walls of location = 3
D5 - type of location = pump house
E1 - type of ventilation = none
F1 - release of flammable gas/vapor = occasional
Items pertaining to the extent of danger:
A1 - type of source of hazard = pumps
A2 - size of source of hazard = small
B5 - flammability class = I
B6 - vapor density = heavier than air
C5 - system pressure = moderate
D6 - floor space occupied = 50%
F5 - pump driver and size = elect. motor, 60–201 hp
Normally a pump station that is not sufficiently ventilated is required to have
a 100% Div. 1 classification. However, in some cases, half of the pump station
may be classified Div. 1 and half may be classified Div. 2. The Div. 2 classifica-
tion, in this case, is the transition zone. The choice between a 100% and a 50% Div.
1 classification depends on whether the explosion hazard in the pump station is
large or small. As explained in Sec. J of Ch. 3, the extent of explosion danger is
expressed in a “probability factor.” This probability factor is expressed in a Pu
value and is either 10 and above or below 10 Pu.
If the probability factor should be below 10 Pu, the explosion danger is
considered small and the pump station is allowed to be classified 50% Div. 1. If the
probability factor is 10 Pu or more, the explosion danger is considered large. This
requires that the pump station be classified 100% Div. 1. Because the pump
station, in this case, lacks sufficient ventilation, the emphasis is on the Div. 1
classification. If there is no Div. 1 classification because the pump station is
sufficiently ventilated, then the emphasis, of course, is on the Div. 2 classification.
The probability factor is a function of the following four major conditions:
1. pump size
2. floor space occupied by the pumps
270 Electrical Safety in Flammable Gas/Vapor Laden Atmospheres

3. pressure in the system

4. whether flammable vapors are likely to accumulate in the pump
station in case one or more pumps should break down
Since the pump station in Fig. B-3 is not sufficiently ventilated, accumula-
tion of flammable vapors must be expected in case of a breakdown.
If the pump station is assumed to be unattended and since the pumps are
small and operating at moderate pressure, the explosion danger in the pump station
is considered small. Based on this information, the following probability factor is
derived as follows:
a— Floor space occupied = 50% = 2 Pu
b— System pressure = moderate = 2 Pu
c— Quantity of release = medium = 2 Pu
d— Personnel in location = unattended = 2 Pu
(accumulation fac.)
The probability factor for the above condition is: a × b + c + d or 2 × 2 + 2 +
2 = 8 Pu. Since the probability factor is below 10 Pu, the Div. 1 classification of the
pump station needs to be only 50%. Beyond the Div. 1 zone, the entire location
shall be classified Div. 2 as shown in Fig. B-3. The boundary dimensions for
pumps rated between 60 and 201 hp operating at moderate system pressure shall be
5 V, 25 Ho, and 2 Hi as shown in Fig. B-3.
If flammable vapors should be released in the pump station as a result of a
breakdown or failure of one or more pumps, ignitable vapors will also contaminate
the surrounding outdoor area. If the outdoor area can be contaminated, an addi-
tional danger zone must be provided adjacent to the building opening (but only
because the 25 Ho boundary for the pumps reaches the building opening or if the
boundary should extend beyond the building opening).
The classification and extent of hazard for the pump station are in compli-
ance with the following:
Table Item Figure Item
1-3 7 1-3 G
1-4B 3
Figure B-4. The major requirements for classifying the location as shown in
Fig. B-4 are as follows:
Items pertaining to the degree of danger:
B1 - type of product = flammable liquid
C1 - system operating mode = closed
D1 - location with/without source of hazard = with
D2 - above or below grade = above
 Chapter 20: General Requirements for Group B 271

D3 - how is location considered = indoors

D4 - number of vapor tight walls of location = 3
D5 - type of location = pump house
E1 - type of ventilation = none
F1 - release of flammable gas/vapor = occasional

Figure B-4. Pumphouse with small pumps handling Class I flammable liquid (insufficiently
ventilated location).
272 Electrical Safety in Flammable Gas/Vapor Laden Atmospheres

Items pertaining to the extent of danger:

A1 - type of source of hazard = pumps
A2 - size of source of hazard = small
B5 - flammability class = I
B6 - vapor density = heavier than air
C5 - system pressure = low for 50 hp, moderate
for 150 hp
D6 - floor space occupied = 75% = 50 hp,
100% = 150 hp
F5 - pump driver number and size = 8 of 50 hp, 2 of 150 hp
Normally a pump station that is not sufficiently ventilated is required to have
a 100% Div. 1 classification. However, in some cases, half of the pump station
may be classified Div. 1 and half may be classified Div. 2. The Div. 2 classifica-
tion, in this case, is the transition zone. The choice between a 100% and a 50%
classification depends on whether the explosion hazard in the pump station is large
or small. As explained in Sec. J of Ch. 3, the extent of the explosion danger is
expressed in a “probability factor.” This probability factor is expressed in a Pu
value and is either 10 Pu and above or below 10 Pu. If the probability factor should
be below 10 Pu, the explosion danger is considered small and the pump station is
allowed to be classified 50% Div. 1.
If the probability factor is 10 or more, the explosion danger is considered
large. This requires that the pump station be classified 100% Div. 1. Because the
pump station, in this case, lacks sufficient ventilation, the emphasis is on the Div.
1 classification. If there is no Div. 1 classification because the pump station is
sufficiently ventilated, then the emphasis, of course, is on the Div. 2 classification.
The probability factor is dependent on the following four major conditions: 1)
pump size, 2) floor space occupied by the pumps, 3) pressure in the system, and 4)
whether flammable vapors are likely to accumulate in the pump station in case one
or more pumps should break down. Since the pump station in Fig. B-4 is not
sufficiently ventilated, accumulation of flammable vapors must be expected in
case of breakdown.
If the pump station is assumed to be unattended, the explosion danger in the
pump station is considered as follows:
a — Floor space occupied = 75%, 100% = 3 Pu, 4 Pu
b — System pressure = low for 50 hp = 1 Pu
moderate for 150 hp = 2 Pu
c — Quantity of release = small for 50 hp = 1 Pu
medium for 150 hp = 2 Pu
d — Personnel in location = unattended = 2 Pu
 Chapter 20: General Requirements for Group B 273

For the 50 hp pumps, the probability factor is: 3 × 1 + 1 + 2 = 6 Pu. For the
two 150 hp pumps, the probability factor is: 4 × 2 + 2 + 2 = 12 Pu. Only the worst
condition shall apply (i.e., the 150 hp pumps which occupy 100% floor space
including the 50 hp pumps). The probability factor for the worst condition is 12 Pu,
and, therefore, the explosion danger in the pump station is large. Subsequently, the
pump station needs to be classified 100% Div. 1 (see Fig. B-4, Item 3). The
boundary dimensions for the 150 hp pumps in the pump station operating at
moderate pressure shall be 5V, 25 Ho. The boundary shall be 50 Ho if the system
pressure is high.
Flammable vapors released to the atmosphere as a result of a breakdown or
failure of a pump must be assumed to contaminate the surrounding outdoor area.
This assumption is based on the 100% Div. 1 classification. Since the breakdown
or failure of a pump may cause flammable vapors to contaminate the surrounding
outdoor area, it is necessary that an additional danger zone 10 ft wide be provided
at the entrance of the 3-wall building. If the 25 or 50 Ho boundary should extend
beyond the 10 ft wide danger zone, it is necessary that the balance of the 25 Ho or
50 Ho boundary be applied outdoors also. Because outdoor locations are normally
sufficiently ventilated, the additional danger zone and the boundary extension
outdoors need only be classified Div. 2. The classification and extent of hazard for
the pump station is in compliance with the following:
Table Item Figure Item
1-3 7 1-8 A
1-4B 4 1-3 F, G for low and mod. pressure
Figure B-5. The major requirements for classifying the location as shown in
Fig. B-5 are as follows:
Items pertaining to the degree of danger:
B1 - type of product = flammable liquid
(highly volatile)
C1 - system operating mode = closed
D1 - location with/without source of hazard = with
D2 - above or below grade = above
D3 - how is location considered = indoors
D4 - number of vapor tight walls of location = 3
D5 - type of location = pump house
E1 - type of ventilation = none
F1 - release of flammable gas/vapor = occasional
Items pertaining to the extent of danger:
A1 - type of source of hazard = pumps
274 Electrical Safety in Flammable Gas/Vapor Laden Atmospheres

A2 - size of source of hazard = large

B5 - flammability class = I
B6 - vapor density = heavier than air
C5 - system pressure = moderate
F5 - pump driver and size = 201 hp and up

Figure B-5. Pumphouse with main pumps handling flammable liquid at moderate pressure (insuf-
ficiently ventilated location).

Since pumps are normally closed (Item C1), a failure or breakdown of a

pump will cause flammable material to be released to the atmosphere only
occasionally. Because of this occasional release, the pump house can be classified
Div. 2 if it is sufficiently ventilated. If the pump station is not sufficiently
ventilated as indicated by Item E1, the pump station must be classified Div. 1.
Because of the presence of large pumps in the pump station (Items A2 and B1) and
because of the moderate pressure in the system (Item C5), it is necessary that the
entire pump station be classified Div. 1.
The extent of the hazardous boundary for each individual pump shall be 25
ft vertical, 50 ft horizontal, and 2 ft high outdoors, and 3 ft high indoors. The
boundary size shall be increased from 50 ft to 100 ft if the flammable material
being pumped is highly volatile and under high pressure. As shown in Fig. B-5, an
 Chapter 20: General Requirements for Group B 275

additional danger zone 10 ft wide is applied beyond the building opening. There
are three conditions under which an additional danger zone must be applied:
1. if the indoor location is entirely classified
2. if the 50 ft boundary is as long as the distance between the pump
and building opening
3. if the boundary extends beyond the building opening
The additional danger zone outdoors and the boundary extending beyond the
building opening do not have to be classified Div. 1. They can be classified Div. 2
because 1) the release of flammable material to the outdoors is only occasional,
and 2) most importantly, there is sufficient ventilation outdoors to dilute and
disperse the flammable materials rapidly. These two conditions allow the danger
zone and boundary outdoors to be classified Div. 2.
Probability factors are not applicable to large sources of hazard because
their locations are generally 100% classified. Even when the boundary for the
large sources of hazard is shorter than the actual distance between the source of
hazard and the perimeter of the pump station, the pump station needs to be 100%
classified. This is true if the system pressure is high or moderate. Pump stations are
normally built to allow electrically driven pumps to occupy not less than 75% of
the floor space. Based on the above conditions, the lowest probability factor for the
pump station will be 10 Pu or more. The probability factor would be less than 10
Pu if the system pressure is low. This is the only exception that allows the pump
station not to have a 100% classification. The classification and extent of hazard
for the pump station are in compliance with the following:
Table Item Figure Item
1-3 7 1-3 I/J
1-4B 5, 6 1-8 A
Figure B-6. The major requirements for classifying the location as shown in
Fig. B-6 are as follows:
Items pertaining to the degree of danger:
B1 - type of product = flammable liquid
(highly volatile)
C1 - system operating mode = closed
D1 - location with/without source of hazard = with
D2 - above or below grade = above
D3 - how is location considered = indoors
D4 - number of vapor tight walls of location = 3
D5 - type of location = pump house
E1 - type of ventilation = none
F1 - release of flammable gas/vapor = occasional
276 Electrical Safety in Flammable Gas/Vapor Laden Atmospheres

Items pertaining to the extent of danger:

A1 - type of source of hazard = pumps
A2 - size of source of hazard = large
B5 - flammability class = I
B6 - vapor density = heavier than air
C5 - system pressure = low
F5 - pump driver and size = 201 hp and up

Figure B-6. Pumphouse with main pumps handling flammable liquid (insufficiently ventilated
location).
 Chapter 20: General Requirements for Group B 277

Since pumps are normally closed (Item C1), a failure or breakdown of a

pump will cause flammable material to be released to the atmosphere only
occasionally. Because of this occasional release, the pump house can be classified
Div. 2 if it is sufficiently ventilated. If the pump station is not sufficiently
ventilated (as shown in Fig. B-6 and as indicated by Item E1), the pump station
must be classified Div. 1.
However, since the system pressure for the source of hazard shown in Fig.
B-6 is low (Item C5), the pump station does not have to be entirely classified. This
is the only exception under which a pump station containing large sources of
hazard does not have to be classified for 100%. For system pressures other than
low, it is necessary that the location be 100% classified. This is shown in the table
of Fig. B-6. This 100% classification is based on a floor space that is not less than
75% occupied. Pump stations for large sources of hazard are generally built for a
group of electrically driven pumps that normally will occupy not less than 75%
floor space. Because the majority of pump stations containing large dynamic-type
sources of hazard are 75% or 100% occupied, no probability factors need to be
applied to establish whether a location should be classified 100% or 50%. As
indicated above, the only case in which a pump station containing large sources of
hazard must be classified 50% is when the system pressure is low, as shown in
Item 4 of the table in Fig. B-6. However, if large electrically driven pumps
operating at low pressure occupy more than 50% of the floor space, the entire
pump station must also be classified.
As shown in Fig. B-6, no 10 ft wide additional danger zone is required.
There are three conditions under which an additional danger zone must be applied:
1. if the indoor location is 100% classified
2. if the boundary for the source of hazard is as long as the distance
between the pump and building opening
3. if the boundary extends beyond the building opening
Since none of the three conditions above apply to Fig. B-6, no additional
danger zone is required.
The classification and extent of hazard for the pump station are in compli-
ance with the following:
Table Item Figure Item
1-3 7 1-3 I
1-4B 7