Dear All, Greetings! What are the International Safety rules for the electrical installations located close (within 5-10 mtrs) to the vicinity of the hazardous area (ours is Zone 2 Class 1 Division 2)?. We have a Non-Ex Proof Control Panel Cubicle located inside a Fuel Gas Shelter. According to the plant's hazardous classification this Fuel Gas area is under the classification of Zone 2 (Class 1 Division 2) except the Control Panel Cubicle area, but the concern is it is located very close to the existing classified area i.e. with 5-10mtrs with very normal fittings. Can you please advise me if there is any international safety regualtion with quote (NFPA/API/NEC etc) applicable to advice our contractor to replace this cubicle to an Ex proof?

Vinod. Quoting Zone 2 implies the Hazardous Area Classification is to IEC or EN60079-10-1 (or earlier versions). Quoting Class1 Div2, implies the area classification is to a USA standard. Which ever, to answer your question, you must get hold of the HAC minutes or drawing and examine it. This will give the distances of the Zone (extent or size) from the Sources of Release. You can then measure whether the box you have concerns over is in or out of the zone. If outside -don't do anything, if inside -then you have to change it. If it is in a Zone 2 area then tell your contractor it needs to be a Category 3 equipment under the EPS Regs. however you will also have to define the Gas group and the Temperature class. I suggest you get an Atex / Dsear electrical engineer to specify according to EN 60079-14. Peter

Vinod. IF the zone2 is a radius of 5m from the source, then a cabin and housing that is greater than 5 m, (e.g. at 6 or 7 metres distance) is in a safe area , and you need to do nothing. An "ordinary" (non Atex) electrical control panel can be installed. Often is is quicker and cheaper to move an unprotected electrical panel into a Safe area, than it is to buy an Atex protected panel. Peter