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General Information
Classification of Hazardous Atmospheres A QUALITY PRODUCT
Hazardous (Classified) Locations and the National Class II Locations
A Electrical Code ®
Hazardous locations are those locations where fire or
Class II locations are those that are hazardous because
of the presence of combustible dust.
explosion hazards may be exist due to flammable gases or
Class II, Division 1
vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitible
fibers or flyings. These are locations where
1. combustible dust is in the air under normal operating
The definitions below are extracted from Article 500
conditions in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or
of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (2002 edition). ignitible mixtures ; or
2. mechanical failure or abnormal operation of machinery
Class I Locations
or equipment might cause such explosive or ignitible
Class I locations are those in which flammable gases or mixtures to be produced, and might also provide a
vapors are or may be present in the air in quantities source of ignition through simultaneous failure of electric
sufficient to produce explosive or ignitible mixtures. equipment, through operation of protection devices, or
from other causes ; or
Class I, Division 1
3. combustible dusts of an electrically conductive nature
These are locations where may be present in hazardous quantities.
1. ignitible concentrations of flammable gases or vapors
can exist under normal operating conditions ; or Class II, Division 2
2. ignitible concentrations of such gases or vapors may
These are locations where
exist frequently because of repair or maintenance opera- 1. combustible dust is not normally in the air in quantities
tions or because of leakage ; or
sufficient to produce explosive or ignitible mixtures, and
3. breakdown or faulty operation of equipment or
dust accumulations are normally insufficient to interfere
processes might release ignitible concentrations of with the normal operation of electrical equipment or
flammable gases or vapors and might also cause
other apparatus, but combustible dust may be in suspen-
simultaneous failure of electrical equipment in such a
sion in the air as a result of infrequent malfunctioning
way as to directly cause the electrical equipment to of handling or processing equipment ; and
become a source of ignition.
2. combustible dust accumulations on, in, or in the vicinity
of the electrical equipment may be sufficient to interfere
Class I, Division 2
with the safe dissipation of heat from electrical equipment
These are locations where or may be ignitible by abnormal operation or failure of
1. volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are electrical equipment.
handled, processed, or used, but in which the liquids,
vapors, or gases will normally be confined within closed Class III Locations
containers or closed systems from which they can
Class III locations are those that are hazardous because
escape only in case of accidental rupture or breakdown
of the presence of easily ignitible fibers or flyings, but in
of such containers or systems or in case of abnormal which such fibers or flyings are not likely to be in suspension
operation of equipments ; or
in the air in quantities sufficient to produce ignitible mixtures.
2. ignitible concentrations of gases or vapors are normally
prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, and which Class III, Division 1
might become hazardous through failure or abnormal
These are locations in which easily ignitible fibers or
operation of the ventilating equipment ; or
materials producing combustible flyings are handled,
3. adjacent to a Class I, Division 1 location, and to which
manufactured, or used .
ignitible concentrations of gases or vapors might occas-
ionally be communicated unless such communication Class III, Division 2
is prevented by adequate positive - pressure ventilation
These are locations in which easily ignitible fibers are
from a source of clean air and effective safeguards
stored or handled other than in process of manufacture.
against ventilation failure are provided.
January, 2004 Bangkok, Thailand
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General Information
A QUALITY PRODUCT
Classification of Hazardous Atmospheres
Group Classifications Group F : Atmospheres containing combustible
The explosion characteristics of air mixtures of gases,
vapors, or dusts vary with the specific material involved,
carbonaceous dusts, including carbon black, charcoal, coal,
or dusts that have been sensitized by other materials so
A
therefore, the equipments be approved not only for the that they present an explosion hazard.
class but also for the specific group of gas, vapor or dust Group G : Atmospheres containing combustible dusts not
that will be present. included in Group E or F, including flour, grain, wood,
plastic, and chemicals.
Class I Locations,
Flammable gases and vapors are divided into four groups, Marking
Groups A, B, C and D. The classification involves The equipment shall be marked to show the class,
determinations of maximum explosion pressure, and group, and operating temperature or temperature class
maximum safe clearance between parts of a clamped joint referenced to a 40°C ambient. Exception for the equipment
in an enclosure. of the non-heat - producing type, such as junction boxes,
conduit, fittings, and equipment of the heat - producing type
Group A : Atmospheres containing acetylene.
having a maximum temperature not more than 100°C (212°F)
Group B : Atmospheres containing hydrogen, fuel and shall not be required to have a marked operating temperature
combustible process gases containing more than 30 percent or temperature class.
hydrogen by volume, or gases or vapors of equivalent
The temperature class, if provided, shall be indicated in
hazard such as butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide,
using the temperature class (T codes) as shown in the table
and acrolein.
below.
Group C : Atmospheres such as ethyl ether, ethylene, or
gases or vapors of equivalent hazard. Classification of Maximum Surface Temperature
Maximum Temperature Class
Group D : Atmospheres such as acetone, ammonia,
Temperature ( °C ) (T Code)
benzene, butane, cyclopropane, ethanol, gasoline, hexane,
methanol, methane, natural gas, naphtha, propane, or gases
450 T1
or vapors of equivalent hazard.
300 T2
280 T2A
Class II Locations,
260 T2B
Combustible dusts are divided into three groups, Groups
230 T2C
E, F, and G. The classification involves the tightness of the
joints of assembly and shaft openings to prevent the entrance 215 T2D
of dust in the dust - ignitionproof enclosure, the blanketing 200 T3
effect of layers of dust on the equipment that may cause 180 T3A
overheating, and the ignition temperature of the dust. 165 T3B
160 T3C
Group E : Atmospheres containing combustible metal
135 T4
dusts, including aluminum, magnesium, and their commercial
120 T4A
alloys, or other combustible dusts whose particle size,
abrasiveness, and conductivity present similar hazards in 100 T5
the use of electrical equipment. 85 T6
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General Information
Classification of Hazardous Atmospheres A QUALITY PRODUCT
Group Classification and Autoignition Temperature of Selected Flammable Gases and Vapors of Liquids
A having Flash Points below 100 °F ( 37.8 °C )
Autoignition Autoignition
Material Material
Temperature ( °C ) Temperature ( °C )
Group A - Atmospheres Group C - Atmospheres (continued)
Acetylene * 305 Methyl Mercaptan –
Monomethyl Hydrazine 194
Group B - Atmospheres Nitroethane 414
Acrolein (inhibited) * Q 235 Nitromethane 418
1, 3 - Butadiene * R 420 1 - Nitropropane 421
Ethylene Oxide * Q 429 2 - Nitropropane * 428
Formaldehyde (Gas) 429 Propionaldehyde 207
Hydrogen * 520 n - Propyl Ether 215
Manufactured Gas (containing Tetrahydrofuran * 321
more than 30% H2 by volume) * – Triethylamine * –
Propylene Oxide * Q 449 Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine
Propyl Nitrate * 175 (UDMH) * 249
Valeraldehyde 222
Group C - Atmospheres
Acetaldehyde * 175 Group D - Atmospheres
Allyl Alcohol * 378 Acetone * 465
Butyl Mercaptan – Acetonitrile 524
n - Butyraldehyde * 218 Acrylonitrile * 481
Carbon Monoxide * 609 Allyl Chloride 485
Crotonaldehyde * 232 Ammonia * S 498
Dicyclopentadiene 503 n - Amyl Acetate 360
Diethyl Ether * 160 sec - Amyl Acetate –
Diethylamine * 312 Benzene * 498
Di - isopropylamine 316 Butane * 288
Dimethylamine 400 1 - Butanol (Butyl Alcohol) * 343
1, 4 - Dioxane 180 2 - Butanol (Secondary Butyl Alcohol) * 405
Di - n - propylamine 299 n - Butyl Acetate * 421
Epichlorohydrin * 411 iso - Butyl Acetate * 421
Ethylene * 450 sec - Butyl Acetate –
Ethylenimine * 320 Butylamine 312
Ethyl Mercaptan * 300 Butylene 385
n - Ethyl Morpholine – Chlorobenzene 593
Hydrogen Cyanide * 538 Chloroprene –
Hydrogen Selenide – Cumene 424
Hydrogen Sulfide * 260 Cyclohexane 245
Isobutyraldehyde 196 Cyclohexene 244
Isopropyl Glycidyl Ether – Cyclopropane * 503
Methylacetylene * – 1, 1 - Dichloroethane 438
Methylacetylene-Propadiene (stabilized) – 1, 2 - Dichloroethylene 460
Methyl Ether * 350 1, 3 - Dichloropropene –
Methyl Formal * 238 Di - isobutylene * 391
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A QUALITY PRODUCT
Classification of Hazardous Atmospheres
Group Classification and Autoignition Temperature ( Continued )
Material
Autoignition
Material
Autoignition
A
Temperature ( °C ) Temperature ( °C )
Group D - Atmospheres ( continued ) Group D - Atmospheres ( continued )
Ethane * 472 Pentane * 243
Ethanol * 363 1 - Pentanol * 300
Ethyl Acetate * 427 2 - Pentanone 452
Ethyl Acrylate (inhibited) * 372 1 - Pentene 275
Ethylamine * 385 Propane * 450
Ethyl Benzene 432 1 - Propanol * 413
Ethyl Chloride 519 2 - Propanol 399
Ethylenediamine * 385 n - Propyl Acetate 450
Ethylene Dichloride * 413 Propylene * 455
Ethyl Formate 455 Propylene Dichloride 557
Gasoline * 280 - 471 Pyridine * 482
Heptane * 204 Styrene * 490
Heptene 260 Toluene * 480
Hexane * 225 Turpentine 253
2 - Hexanone 424 Vinyl Acetate * 402
Hexenes 245 Vinyl Chloride * 472
Isoamyl Acetate 360 Vinylidene Chloride 570
Isobutyl Acrylate 427 Xylenes * 464 - 529
Isoprene * 220
Isopropyl Acetate 460 ( FPN ) : For additional information on group classification,
Isopropylamine 402 see The Classification of Gases, Vapors and Dusts for
Isopropyl Ether * 443 Electrical Equipment in Hazardous ( Classified ) Location,
NFPA 497.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas 405 - 450
Mesityl Oxide * 344
Note :
Methane * 537
Methanol * 385 * Material has been classified by test.
Methyl Acetate 454 Q Group C equipment shall be permitted for this atmos-
Methyl Acrylate 468 pheres if such equipment is isolated by sealing all
Methylamine 430 conduit 1/2 in. (12.7 mm.) or larger, in accordance with
Methylcyclohexane 250 Article 501.5 (A) of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone * 404 R Group D equipment shall be permitted for this atmos-
Methyl Formate 449 pheres if such equipment is isolated by sealing all conduit
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone * 449 1/2 in. ( 12.7 mm. ) or larger, in accordance with
Methyl Isocyanate 534 Article 501.5 (A) of NFPA 70, National Electrical Code.
Methyl Methacrylate 422 S For classification of areas involving ammonia, see Safety
2 - Methyl - 1 - Propanol * 416 Code for Mechanical Refrigeration, ANSI / ASHRAE 15,
2 - Methyl - 2 - Propanol * 478 and Safety Requirements for the Storage and Handling
Naphtha (Petroleum) *T 288 of Anhydrous Ammonia, ANSI / CGA G2.1.
Nonane 205 T Petroleum naphtha is a saturated hydrocarbon mixture
Nonene – whose boiling range is 20°C to 135 °C. It is also known
Octane * 206 as benzine, ligroin, petroleum ether, and naphtha.
Octene 230
Bangkok, Thailand January, 2004
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