4010

Diesel Electric Propulsion

An Introduction to
Hazardous Areas

Module 9
 Contents

1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 2

2 SOLAS ................................................................................................................................ 3

3 Standards ........................................................................................................................... 3

4 Definition ............................................................................................................................. 3

5 Hazardous Area Classification ............................................................................................ 4

5.1 Classification Society Description (Lloyds) ............................................................... 6

5.2 Manufacturers Plates ................................................................................................ 7

6 Maintenance, Personal Protective Equipment, and Tools .................................................. 8

7 Summary ............................................................................................................................ 8

1 Introduction to Hazardous Areas

 1 Introduction
The first recognised hazardous areas were identified, through tragic experience, in early coal
mines where it was discovered that there was a double hazard - Methane and Coal dust, also
known as coal damp. When the Methane was ignited is was usually followed by a much more
violent and lethal coal dust explosion.
The first solution was to hire miners to
ignite the gasses each day with a very
long pole which had a burning ember
on the end (fig.1). The list of
volunteers soon ended so prisoners
were used, but this method soon
ended too. Eventually ponies were
used with specially adapted saddles
fitted with lit candles. The ponies were
soaked with buckets of water then sent
running through the mine tunnels in
the hope of creating only small
explosions.

fig.1
The first method of protection in the mining industry was to ventilate the mine shafts - forcing
fresh air from the outside to dilute the explosive methane gas to below the explosive limit.

When electricity was invented, low voltage signalling

bells were introduced to control the operation of the
hoists. These bells were 12Vdc and worked when the
miner shorted the cables with his spade (fig.2), but this
created sparks. In 1912 and 1913 there were two
disastrous mine explosions which killed hundreds of
boys and men. This resulted in the race to design
equipment that would prevent the ignition of flammable
or explosive atmospheres - now known as Hazardous
Areas.
fig.2

The first mention of the subject of Hazardous (Classified) Areas made its appearance in the
NEC Code in 1923, In that year’s edition, the Code featured a new article called “Extra
Hazardous Locations”. This article dealt with the risks and prevention practices of rooms and
compartments employed for the manufacture, use or storage of highly flammable gases,
liquids, mixtures of both or any other equally flammable materials.
The first standards were published in Germany in 1935 titled “Protection of Electrical
Installations in Hazardous Areas” Apparatus designed to this standard was marked with the
Ex symbol which we still use today.

2 Introduction to Hazardous Areas

 2 SOLAS
SOLAS has requirements which ALL Classification Societies, and therefore all ships, MUST
follow:
SOLAS Chapter II-1, Reg 45 par 10
No electrical equipment shall be installed in any space where flammable mixtures are liable to
collect, e.g. in compartments assigned principally to accumulator batteries, in paint lockers,
acetylene stores, or similar spaces, unless the Administration is satisfied that such equipment
is:
.1 essential for operational purposes
.2 of a type which will not ignite the mixture concerned
.3 appropriate for the space concerned
.4 appropriately certified for safe usage in the dusts, vapours or gases likely to be
encountered.

3 Standards
Under item .4 above you will note that SOLAS states “…appropriately certified”
To achieve this, the Maritime world has aligned itself with the IEC and NFPA - NEC (US)
standards, these being the two major standards worldwide - IEC60079 and the National
Electrical Code (NEC). Equipment must be certified by a Recognised Independent Third-Party
Laboratory to comply with the requirements of these standards.

ATEX is generally not acceptable.

In accordance with the EU ATEX Directive (ATEX Directive - 2014/34/EU) CHAPTER 1,
GENERAL PROVISIONS, Article 1, Scope, 2. This directive shall not apply to: (e) seagoing
vessels and mobile offshore units together with equipment on board such vessels or units.

The issue with ATEX is that the directive allows for self-certification for equipment designed
for a Zone 2 classified Hazardous Area. The USCG, Brazil, Australia, Singapore do not accept
ATEX only Certified equipment - they want certificates from IEC, UL, etc.

If the equipment has been certified by both IECEx and ATEX, this is usually acceptable
because the IECEx certificate guarantees the independent third-party testing.

4 Definition
There are of course many areas around the ship that can be considered “hazardous”, but, in
the electrical world, the definition and classification of a Hazardous Area is very specific.

The following is the definition of a Hazardous Area from Classification Society RINA (Rules
for the Classification of Ships - Pt C, Ch 2, Sec 1, Par 3.24): Areas in which an explosive
atmosphere is present, or may be expected to be present due to the presence of vapours,
gases, flammable dusts or explosives in quantities such as to require special precautions for
the construction, installation and use of electrical apparatus.

There is often confusion between a Hazardous Area and a Dangerous Space. A Hazardous
Area is an area specifically designated as such in accordance with the definition above. If an
area is not designated as a Hazardous Area it is known as a Dangerous Space; for example
the Main Engine Room is NOT a Hazardous Area, it is a Dangerous Space, likewise, an
Enclosed Space is a Dangerous Space, the Purifier Room is not a Hazardous Area, etc.

3 Introduction to Hazardous Areas

 5 Hazardous Area Classification
Hazardous Area classification is based on the likelihood of the presence, the concentration,
and type of flammable atmosphere, as well as the extent (size) of the space. The aim of area
classification is to support the correct selection of Ex equipment.

There are two main methodologies of classifying Hazardous Areas -

1. the methodology where area classification is defined by Class, Division, and Group.
This method has its origins in North America and can be found in Section 500 of the
NFPA 70 National Electrical Code.
2. the methodology where area classification is defined by Zone.
This method has its origins in Europe and can be found in the IEC 60079 suite of
Standards.
Both methodologies have a long-proven history of safety. Carnival Corporation vessels are
currently constructed to the IEC Standard, so we will focus on this methodology i.e. the Zone
system. This methodology divides Hazardous Areas into three Zones - Zone 0, Zone 1 and
Zone 2. See Fig.1, Fig.2 and Table 1.

Zone 0
Zone 0 is an area in which an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long
periods of time, or will frequently occur.
Zone 1
Zone 1 is an area in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur occasionally in normal
operation. It may exist because of repair, maintenance operations, or leakage.
Zone 2
Zone 2 is a place in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation
but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only. These areas only become hazardous in
case of an accident or some unusual operating condition.

Fig.1

4 Introduction to Hazardous Areas

 Various sources have tried to place time limits on to these zones, but none have been
officially adopted. The most common values used are:

Fig.2

 Zone 0: Explosive atmosphere for more than 1000hrs/yr

 Zone 1: Explosive atmosphere for more than 10hrs, but less than 1000 hrs/yr
 Zone 2: Explosive atmosphere for less than 10hrs/yr, but still sufficiently likely as to
require controls over ignition sources

Table 1

When the hazardous areas of a plant have been classified, the remainder will be defined as
non-hazardous, sometimes referred to as 'safe areas'.

5 Introduction to Hazardous Areas

5.1 Classification Society Description (Lloyds)
Lloyds Classification Society state in their Rules and Regulations for the Classification of
Ships - Part 6, Chapter 2, Section 14, Paragraph 14.1.3:

Spaces and locations are considered as hazardous in the presence of any of the following:

(a) spaces or tanks containing either:

(i) flammable liquid having a flashpoint (closed-cup test) not exceeding 60°C and below;
(ii) flammable liquid having a flashpoint exceeding 60°C, heated or raised by ambient
conditions to a temperature within 15°C of its flashpoint; or
(iii) flammable gas;

(b) piping systems or equipment containing fluid defined by (a) and having flanged joints or
glands or other openings through which leakage of fluid may occur under normal operating
conditions;

(c) spaces containing coal, grain or other solids liable to release flammable gas and/or
combustible dust;

(d) spaces containing dangerous goods in packaged form, of the following Classes as defined
in the IMDG Code: 1(with the exception of goods in division 1.4, compatibility group S), 2.1
(inclusive of applicable gas bottles for on-board use), 3 (FP<23°C), 6.1 (FP<23°C) and 8
(FP<23°C);

(e) piping systems or equipment associated with processes (such as electro-chlorination)

generating flammable gas as a by-product and having openings from which the gas may
escape under normal operating conditions; or

(f) piping systems or equivalent containing flammable liquids not defined by (a), having
flanged joints, glands or other openings through which leakage of fluid in the form of a mist or
fine spray may occur under normal operating conditions.
Note: FP means flashpoint (closed-cup test).

It is a Classification Society requirement that a General Arrangement (GA) Diagram of the ship
showing where the designated Hazardous Areas, Zones and Spaces are located, and a list of
electrical equipment installed in those areas (often referred to as The Hazardous Area
Equipment Register) should be retained on-board. This Register should include as
appropriate:

(a) type of equipment;

(b) type of protection, e.g. Ex `d';
(c) apparatus group, e.g. IIB;
(d) temperature class, e.g. T3;
(e) enclosure ingress protection, e.g. IP55;
(f) certifying authority;
(g) certificate number;
(h) location of equipment.

The Hazardous Area Equipment Register may be included on the GA drawings for the
Hazardous Areas. If the details are on the GA Drawing, there is no need for a separate list.

For other Classification Society requirements such as RINA, CRS, ABS, DNV, etc, please visit
the website of that Class Society to view their specific Class Rule requirements.
6 Introduction to Hazardous Areas
5.2 Manufacturers Plates
Typical Manufacturers plates for Hazardous Area Certified equipment. Note the “Ex” marking
readily identifies this as Equipment certified for a Hazardous Area. Fig 3:

Fig.3

To reduce the risk of fire or explosion originating in a Hazardous Area:

Before ANY maintenance is carried out, even just changing a Lamp, be sure you understand
ALL the hazards and ALL the requirements - correct tools, correct spares, and correct
procedures.

Before any new installations or modifications are made to an existing system, ensure Class
Approval has been obtained and that the equipment is then installed in accordance with the
Manufacturer’s Instructions and by a certified person.

7 Introduction to Hazardous Areas

 6 Maintenance, Personal Protective Equipment, and Tools
Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and correctly rated tools and instruments
must be available and used when carrying out any maintenance.
Please see Global HESS for specific Permit and Maintenance requirements.

7 Summary
Working safely is an attitude that has its foundations in your knowledge, skill and experience.
As part of the legal requirements, equipment designers include safety features in the design of
the equipment which protects us from injury if things unfortunately go wrong.
The ultimate safety feature is YOU. Take ownership of your safety and the safety of your
colleagues, and, combined with some of the practices below, we should manage to stay safe
and healthy until the day we go home again.

8 Introduction to Hazardous Areas