Explosive atmospheres
Definition of a potentially explosive atmosphere
Potentially explosive atmospheres (hazardous locations in the USA/Canada) have the potential to be explosive if an ignition source is present. National codes and standards require that electrical equipment used in locations under these conditions have to be designed and tested to help reduce the incidence of explosions.
QPS can test and certify all products used in a potentially explosive atmosphere, using any of the known protection methods.
Classifications
For North America, potentially explosive atmospheres were always defined by a combination of a Class and a Division:
Class
Division
I - Covers flammable gases, vapours or liquids
1 - An area where an explosive atmosphere is likely to exist under normal conditions
II - Covers combustible or electrically conductive dust
2 - An area where an explosive atmosphere does not normally exist but is possible under abnormal conditions
III - Covers ignitable fibers and flyings
North american transition to the zone system
The USA and Canada have adopted the international 3-Zone area classification system:
- Zone 0 – An area in which an explosive atmosphere is continuously present for a long period of time in normal operation
- Zone 1 – An area in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to exist in normal operation
- Zone 2 - An area in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to exist.
For the USA, all installations (both new and existing) can either continue using the 2-Division system or re-classify using the 3-Zone system. In canada, for all new installations the 3-Zone system applies. Existing installations may continue to use the 2-Division system, or opt to re-classify using the 3-Zone system.
Exporting to the USA and Canada
QPS is one of the very few certification bodies that are accredited in the USA and Canada to test and certify equipment used in explosive atmospheres. The QPS Mark/Label is recognised and accepted by the regulatory authorities throughout the USA and Canada.
The IEcEx System
The IECEx System is an International Certification System based on the use of the IEC standards for equipment used in explosive atmospheres. Two of the five Schemes that comprise the System are:
The IECEx Equipment Certification Scheme, and the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competency (CoPC) Scheme.
QPS is accredited in the IECEx Equipment Certification Scheme as a Certification Body (ExCB), and as a Test Laborotory (ExTL). This means you can have your products tested/ evaluated by QPS to obtain:
- An IECEx Test Report (ExTR)
- A Quality Assurance Report (QAR)
- An IECEx Certificate of Conformity (IECEx CoC)
You can then use the above reports/certificates to obtain national certification in over 35 member countries participating in the IECEx Scheme.
Being accredited in the IECEx Certification of Personnel Competencies Scheme as well, QPS can assess and certify your personnel. You may wish to use this service to prove staff’s competence to install and work with equipment used in, or associated with explosive atmospheres, and to demonstrate compliance with the applicable Health and Safety regulations.
