HAZARDOUS AREA

CLASSIFICATION
DS/EN 60079-10-1 & UK
ENERGY INSTITUTE, IP15
BACKGROUND – DS/EN 60079-10-1
CLASSIFICATION – EXPLOSIVE GAS ATMOSPHERES

• ATEX 1999/92 EC Di
Directive
ti /B
Borehole
h l di
directive
ti 92/91/EC (offshore)
( ff h )

• Danish Regulations (BEK 1480 + Guideline to that)

• Norway: PSA Facilities Regulation (Guideline) points towards IEC

61872-7 – which points towards IEC/EN 60079-10-1-

• Allow for correct selection of equipment (ATEX 94/9/EC)

• Classify for flammable gasses, vapours and mists

• Flammability: Dependent on flash point and design/service

temperature

Probability for fire/explosion:

P(Release) x P(Ignition)
AREA CLASSIFICATION – ZONING
EN 60079-10-1 / IP 15

Zone 0: The part of a hazardous area in which a

flammable atmosphere is continuously present or
present for long periods

Zone 1: That part of a hazardous area in which a

flammable atmosphere is likely to occur in normal
operation

Zone 2: That part of a hazardous area in which a

flammable atmosphere
p is not likelyy to occur in normal
operation, and if it occurs, it will only exist for a short
period

Non-hazardous: areas that do not fall into any of

the above (IS NOT ‘SAFE AREA’)

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Definitions – EN 60079-10-1
• Source of Release: A point of location from which a gas, vapour,
mist or liquid may be released into the atmosphere so that an
explosive gas atmosphere could be formed.

• Grades of release: There are three basic grades of release, as

listed in order of decreasing frequency and likelihood of the
explosive gas atmosphere being present:

• Continous grade

• Primary Grade

y Grade
• Secondary

• Degree of ventilation (natural / artificial):

• High ventilation (VH)

• Medium ventilation (VM)

• Low ventilation (VL)

 HAZARDOUS AREA CLASSIFICATION –
GRADE OF RELEASE – IP 15 DEFINITIONS

Continuous grade
C d release:
l A release
l that
h is continuous or nearly
l so, or
that occurs frequently and for short periods
If it is likely
y to be present
p for more than 1000 hours per
p year.
y

Primary grade release: a release that is likely to occur periodically or

occasionally in normal operations, i.e. a release which, in operating
procedures is anticipated to occur
If it is likely to be present for between 10 to 1000 hours per year.

Secondary grade release: A release that is unlikely to occur in

normal operation and, in any event, will do so only infrequently and
for short periods i.e.
i e a release which in operating procedures is not
anticipated to occur. Such release may be of unknown size e.g.
fracture of a drain or unknown size e.g. corrosion hole.
If it is likely to be present for 1 to 10 hours per year.
year
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ZONE – VENTILATION – GRADE OF RELEASE

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Hazardous Area Classification Data Sheets
Part I: Flammable Material List and data
Hazardous Area Classification Data Sheets
Part II: List of sources of release
Hazardous Area Classification Drawings
EN 60079-10-1, SEC 7.2
WHY COMBINE EN 60079-10-1 WITH IP15
• For continous & primary grades of release, the leak size is
typically known.

• We need some advise regarding size and types of leak sources for
secondary grade of release – EN 60079-10-1 is very open on the
subject.
subject

• Ref.
R f to
t EN 60079
60079-10-1,
10 1 1.
1 Scope:
S

For detailed recommendations regarding the extent of the

hazardous areas in specific industries or applications, reference
may be made to national or industry codes relating to those
applications.
 HAZARDOUS AREA CLASSIFICATION – IP 15

 Risk Target is 10-5 year

For most offshore plants, where there is control of ignition sources

outside the hazardous areas, IP 15’s LEVEL I is applied

Does not concern major releases (spread of flamables more

than 30 m). These shall be minimised by design and operation
to an acceptable residual risk.
risk

IP 15, sec. 5.4.5.1: “As a guide, when there are more than 10 leak
sources within close proximity (i.e.
(i e Where their notional zone 2 would
overlap), the area should be classified as zone 2”

Classification only required for fluids with flashpoints nearer than 10

Classification
deg. C to the handling/ambient temperature in the area.

g Open
Following: p field,, naturally
y ventilated,, wind speed
p 0.5 – 2.0 m/s
/
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POINT SOURCE

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FLUID CATEGORY / CLASS
Fluid Description
Category
A A flammable liquid that, on release, would vaporise rapidly and
substantially.
B A flammable liquid, not in Category A, but at a temperature
sufficient for boiling to occur on release.
C A flammable liquid, not in Categories A or B, but which can, on
release, be at a temperature above its flash point, or form a
flammable mist or spray.
G(i) A typical methane-rich natural gas.
G(ii) Refinery hydrogen.

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FLUID CATEGORY - EXAMPLES

Fluid Category
g y
Condensate / LPG: A
Crude / unstabilized: B
Crude / stabilized: C
Wet/dry gas: G(i)
Produced Water: C
Diesel: C
Helifuel: C
Hydraulic oil: C

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RELATIONSHIP – CLASS & CATEGORY

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IP 15 PROCEDURE – SECONDARY GRADE
RELEASE

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IP 15 – LEVEL I, II & III – FLANGES & VALVES

For offshore oil/gas installations, where there is a strong control of

ignition sources outside the classified area,
area LEVEL I is typically
selected.

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 CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT

Fig 1A. Pump mounted on plated deck – high integrity pump (typically double mechanical seals)

HOLE FLUID PRESSURE RADIUS

DIA CAT. BARG R1 R2
2 B 10<P<50 4000 5000
2 B P<10 4000 4000
2 C 10<P<50 4500 5500
2 C P<10 4500 4500

Refer to appendix 5
5, John Crane recommendations for mechanical
seals.

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 CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT
Fig. 1B, Pump mounted on grated deck – high integrity pump (typically double mechanical seals)

HOLE FLUID PRESSURE RADIUS

DIA CAT. BARG R1 R2
2 B P<50 4000 N/A
2 C P<50 4500 N/A

Refer to appendix 5
5, John Crane recommendations for mechanical
seals.

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 CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT

Fig.
g 2A,, Flange/valve
g / installed over grated
g deck

HOLE FLUID PRESSURE RADIUS

DIA CAT. BARG R1 R2
1 A/C P<50 2500 N/A
1 B P<50 2000 N/A
1 G(i) P<100 1100 N/A
1 G(i) 100<P<150 1400 N/A
1 G(i) 150<P<200 1600 N/A

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 CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT

Control valves, often used block valves and valves not well maintained: A zone 1
with R = 0.3 m.

A specific evaluation shall be made to decide if there is a further zone 2 around the
zone 1.

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CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT

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CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT

SPO Compact Flange

Fully welded ASME B31.3
B31 3 piping
and SPO compact flanges

No classification!

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CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT
EN 1127-1, ANNEX B
Defines equipment which are ”durably technically tight”,
examples:

• Canned motor pumps

• Magnetic coupled sealless pumps

• Tongue/groove
o gu /g oo flanges
a g (EN
( 1092-1,
09 , Type
yp C & D))

• If rarely detached: NPT connections (up to DN 50)

Should normally not cause classified areas.

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CLASSIFICATION AT SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT
John Crane recommendations for mechanical seal Maximum release flow
ITA / Appendix 5: rates for pumps in all fluid categories and process pressures

Max. Release Flow Rate Hazard Radius R1/R2

Seal Sealing Arrangement Description

John Crane
(kg/s) (m)

Single seal ( without fixed throttle

recommendaations for
bushing, in a pump with no wear
Single
rings). This may be a component or
cartridge, general-purpose seal
Use IP-15 calculation ( Hole
See IP-15
size. 0,23xshaft dia.)*

Pumps / Mechanical Seals.

Single seal with a fixed throttle
bushing or a single seal in an API
Single 610 pump. This may be a 0,0003 <2
component or cartridge, general-
purpose seall
Single seal,, supplied to ISO 21049,
with a fixed throttle bushing ( code
1CW-FX) or a single seal, supplied
Single 0,00015 <2
to ISO 21049 with a solid floating

For dry gas seals on

bushing ( code 1CW-FL) in an API
610 or ISO 13709 pump.
Dual, unpressurised seal ( without

compresors, John
J h Crane
C
fixed throttle bushing
bushing, in a pump with
Use IP-15 calculation ( Hole
Dual unpress. no wear rings). This may be a See IP-15 ( 4 to 6 )
size 2 mm )**
cartridge or non-cartridge, general-

states the two last rows

purpose seal
Dual, unpressurised seal ( ISO
21049, code 2CW-CW, 2CW-CS,

for pumps will apply for Dual unpress.

with auxiliary plan 52, 75 or 76 ) with
a fixed throttle bushing or the same
0,00001 <2

th dry
the d gas seals,l
seal arrangement but in an API 610
pump or ISO 13709 pump.
Dual, unpressurised seal as above

depending on execution of
Dual unpress. but containement system connected 0,00001 at seal. 0,0025 at vent <2
to an open vent pipe
Dual pressurised seal (without fixed

the dry gas seal

Use IP-15 calculation ( Hole
Dual press throttle bushing, innon-cartridge, See IP-15 ( 4 to 6)
size 2 mm )**
general purpose seal
Dual, pressurised Seal (ISO 21049,
code 3CW-CW
3CW-CW, with auxiliary plan
53 or 54 ) with a fixed throttle
Dual press NIL _
bushing or the same seal
arrangement but in a API 610 or ISO
13709 pump
Dual, pressurised Seal (ISO 21049,
code 3NC, with auxiliary plan 74 )
Dual press with a fixed throttle bushing or the 0,01 2***
same seal arrangement but in a API
610 or ISO 13709 pump

* Use seal chamber presssure as release pressure ( If not known use discharge pressure )
** Use 5 bara as release pressure 27
*** For R2, Cat C use 2,5 m
HAZARDOUS AREA DOSSIER

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ENCLOSED AREAS
• Minimum 12 ACH (IP 15), no stagnant zones to ensure area
classification will correspond to grade of release.

• Pressurisation to safe a room adjacent to classified area: Min. 5

mm WG overpressure (IP 15)

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