Rank: Forum user 
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I'm having a battle with one of my new facility managers. I am of the firm view that our external metal walk-stores, which contain substances applicable to DSEAR, should be zoned in alignment with schedule 2. Whilst conducting an audit, I found a new store with these items - oils, paints and other lubricants etc. The electrical system installed (including lighting and a wall-mounted panel heater) is 240v. I believe this to be a significant error in judgment and that we should be looking at installation of ATEX-rated electrical systems. My issue is the actual area classification and category of equipment. The store is predominately used for sealed flammable items with occasional open items. It is reasonably well ventilated and well kept. The size of the store is around 3m3. I'm not an ATEX SME and while I do tend to err on the side of caution and don't want to advise on disproportionate controls measures - I'm leaning towards Z1 and Cat 2, but now thinking Z0 and Cat 1, however can't help thinking that were taking about a suitable metal store with ventilation and mainly sealed items, albeit some are open and there is an odour...Any views?
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Rank: Super forum user
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Provided the containers are kept sealed, the store is almost certainly Zone 2. He.nce electrical equipment should be Zone 2
What are the Flash Points of the substances? For 'heavy' oil/lubricants the Flash Points are probably quite high.
Usually for drums/containers when OPEN - they are usually Zone 0 inside the container, then Zone 1 above and down the sides of the container. The Zone 1 usually extends for 2m.
The ventilation is probably classed as 'sheltered' but what ventilation there is Good with respect to availability. I'm assuming here a typical small POL store which has high and low level air/ventilation grills in the walls.
Refer to BS60079 Pt 10 for hazardous area classification. Refer to BS60079 Pt 20 for material classification with respect to T ratings of equipment.
You could also use the publication from the Institute of Petroleum (now called the Energy Institute called 'IP15 Hazardous Area Classification' currently at 3rd Edition.
You are correct, you certainly need to complete a DSEAR risk assessment and complete a hazardous area zoning exercise, all be it quite easy/simple for such a small POL store.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Baron,
From HSE website
Zone 0: A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is present continuously or for long periods or
frequently.
Zone 1: A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
Zone 2: A place in which an explosive atmosphere consisting of a mixture with air of dangerous substances in the form of gas, vapour or mist is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it
does occur, will persist for a short period only.
Based on what you say it is highly unlikely to be Zone 0 or 1. You do need to do an assessment based on the physical properties of the oils, lubricants and paints to decide whether it is Zone 2. IMHO if the area is adequately ventilated and there are no operations relating to decanting/handling of products then you may get away with zoning e.g. consider large warehouses (B&Q type) which have a lot of paint stored within them. But as the previous response says you need a DSEAR risk assessment to make the final call.
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