Flame Proof Equipments

The type of explosion-proof equipment installed at a particular site will depend on several factors:

• The amount or concentration of flammable substances present and the duration and frequency of its presence (hazardous zones).
• The type of flammable substance present (chemical composition, ignition temperature, and others).
• The effects of an explosion and the level of protection required.
• The amount of flammable substance present determines the risk of explosion. Hazardous area zones are used to describe the risk level.

Hazardous area zones

Hazardous places are classified in terms of zones on the basis of the frequency and duration of the occurrence of an explosive atmosphere.

Equipment protection level (EPL)

EPL is a new factor introduced into the use of explosion proof equipment. Not all techniques provide the same level of protection, and some circumstances require higher levels of protection than others. This was previously catered for by the zone concept, where it was assumed that the zone with the highest risk (Zone 0) required the highest level of protection and the protection technology was specified based on zones.