OISD - STD - 113

First Edition
FOR RESTRICTED
CIRCULATION ONLY

CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS
FOR
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AT
HYDROCARBON PROCESSING AND HANDLING FACILITIES

OISD-STANDARD-113
First Edition, September 1996
Amended Edition 2001

Oil Industry Safety Directorate

Government of India
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
 2

OISD STD - 113

First Edition
September, 1996
Amended Edition 2001

FOR RESTRICTED
CIRCULATION ONLY

CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS
FOR
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AT
HYDROCARBON PROCESSING AND HANDLING FACILITIES

Prepared by :

COMMITTEE ON
“CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS”

OIL INDUSTRY SAFETY DIRECTORATE

2nd Floor, “Kailash”
26, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi - 110 001

2
 ii

NOTE

OISD publications are for use in the oil and gas industry under Ministry of
Petroleum and Natural Gas. These are the property of Ministry of Petroleum and
Natural Gas and shall not be reproduced or copied or loaned or exhibited to
others without written consent from OISD.

Though every effort has been made to assure the accuracy and reliability of
the data contained in these documents, OISD hereby expressly disclaims any
liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from their use.

These documents are intended only to supplement and not to replace the
prevailing statutory requirements.

ii
 FOREWORD

The Oil industry in India is more than 100 years old. Because of various
collaboration agreements, a variety of international codes and standards have
been in vogue. Standardisation in design philosophies, operating and
maintenance practices at a national level was hardly in existence. This, coupled
with feedback from some serious accidents that occurred in the recent past in
India and abroad, emphasised the need for the industry to review the existing
state-of-the-art in designing, operating and maintaining oil and gas installations.

With this in view, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in 1986
constituted a Safety Council assisted by Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD)
staffed from within the industry in formulating and implementing a series of self
regulatory measures aimed at removing obsolescence, standardising and
upgrading the existing standards to ensure safer operations. Accordingly OISD
constituted a number of committees of experts nominated from the industry to
draw up standards and guidelines on various subjects.

The present document on “Classification of Areas for Electrical

Installations at Hydrocarbon Processing and Handling Facilities” was prepared by
the committee on Classification of Areas for Electrical Installations. This
document is based on the accumulated knowledge and experience of industry
members and the various national and international codes and practices. It is
hoped that the provision of this document, if implemented objectively, may go a
long way to improve the safety and reduce accidents in Hydrocarbon Processing
& Handling Facilities.Suggestions for amendments to this document should be
addressed to:

The Co-ordinator,
Committee on
Classification of Areas for Electrical Installations,
Oil Industry Safety Directorate,
2nd Floor, “Kailash”
26, Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi-110 001.

iii
"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
 iv

COMMITTEE ON
CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

NAME ORGANISATION

LEADER
Shri U. P. Singh Indian Oil Corpn. Ltd. New Delhi

MEMBERS
Shri V. P. Sharma Engineers India Ltd. New Delhi
Shri S. M. Gotawadekar Hindutan Petroleum Corpn Ltd. Mumbai
Shri M. Bhaskara Rao Hindutan Petroleum Corpn Ltd. Visakh
Shri H. K. Sarsar Bongaigaon Refineries & Petrochemicals Ltd.
Bongaigaon
Shri J. K. Jha Oil Industry Safety Directorate, New Delhi
Shri S. Asokan Madras Refineries Limited. Madras
Shri T. S. Adhicary Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. Dehradun
Smt. Nisha Peeosh Guha Engineers India Ltd. New Delhi

MEMBER COORDINATOR
Shri Anujit Ghatak Oil Industry Safety Directorate, New Delhi

In addition to the above, several other experts from oil industries contributed on the preparation,
review and finalisation of this document.

iv
 CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS
CONTENTS

Section Description

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.2 Need for Area Classification

2.0 SCOPE

3.0 DEFINITION
3.1 Adequately ventilated
3.2 Flash Point
3.3 Ignition Temperature
3.4 Hazardous Area
3.5 Hazardous (Flammable) Atmosphere

4.0 CLASSIFICATION OF PRODUCTS

4.1 General
4.2 Flammable substances and vapour
4.3 Gas groups

5.0 CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS AREAS

5.1 General
5.2 Area Classification
5.3 Areas not classified

6.0 EXTENT OF HAZARDOUS AREA

6.1 General considerations
6.2 Heavier than Air Gases and Vapours than air gases
6.3 Lighter than Air Gases and Vapours

7.0 REFERENCES
8.0 ANNEXURES

v
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OISD - STD - 113 1

CLASSIFICATION OF AREAS FOR

ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
2

1.0 INTRODUCTION The minimum temperature at which the

liquid gives so much vapour that this
1.1 BACKGROUND vapour, when mixed with air, forms an
ignitable mixture and gives a momentary
With the rapid growth of the petroleum flash on application of a small pilot flame
industry, the risk associated with the under specified conditions of test.
processing, handling & storage of highly
flammable gases, vapours & liquids has 3.3 IGNITION TEMPERATURE
increased tremendously.It is often
necessary to use electricity in some form or The lowest temperature at which ignition
the other in such high risk locations and occurs in a mixture of explosive gas and air
consequently the need to assess and when the method specified in IS:7820-1975
classify these hazardous areas assume is followed.
great importance. When the electrical
3.4 HAZARDOUS AREA
equipment is to be installed in or around a
hazardous area, it is frequently possible by An area shall be deemed to be a hazardous
taking care in the layout of the installations area, where
to locate much of the equipment in less
hazardous or non-hazardous area and thus (i) Petroleum having flash point below
reduce the number of special equipment 65°C or any flammable gas or vapour
required. Alternatively, they should be in a concentration capable of ignition is
designed, installed and maintained in likely to be present.
accordance with measures recommended (ii) Petroleum or any flammable liquid
for the area in which the apparatus is having flash point above 65°C is likely
located. to be refined, blended, handled or
stored at or above its flash point.
1.2 NEED FOR AREA CLASSIFICATION
3.5 HAZARDOUS (FLAMMABLE) ATMOS-
Hazardous areas are classified to assist
PHERE
selection of electrical equipment which will
be safe as well as cost effective. While An atmosphere containing any flammable
classifying an area the probability of release gas or vapour in a concentration capable of
of flammable liquids or vapours in sufficient ignition.
quantity to constitute an explosive or
ignitable mixture must be considered. The 3.6 SOURCE OF RELEASE
question of whether such release is likely to
occur during normal operation, or only as a A source of release is a point or location
result of an unusual occurance or abnormal from which a gas, vapour, mist or liquid may
conditions, must also be determined. be released into the atmosphere so that a
hazardous atmosphere could be formed.

2.0 SCOPE 3.7 FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCE

This standard is applicable to classification (i) Flammable Gas or Vapour or vapour

of hazardous areas for electrical which, when mixed with air in certain
installations in onshore processing, storage proportions will form an hazardous
and trans-portation facilities handling atmosphere.
flammable liquids, vapours or gases (ii) Flammable Liquid
including gas/oil gathering and processing
stations but excluding drilling rigs and A liquid capable of producing a
wellhead installations. flammable vapour, gas or mist under
any foreseeable operating conditions.
(iii) Flammable Mist
3.0 DEFINITIONS
Droplets of flammable liquid, dispersed
3.1 ADEQUATELY VENTILATED in air, so as to form a hazardous
atmosphere.
Adequately ventilated is defined as a
ventilation (Natural or Artificial) which is 3.8 TEMPERATURE CLASS
sufficient to prevent the accumulation of
significant quantities of vapour air mixtures A system of classification by which an
in concentration above 25% of their Lower electrical apparatus is allocated temperature
Explosive (Flammable) Limit (LEL). classes according to its maximum surface
temperature.
3.2 FLASH POINT

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Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 3

3.9 IGNITION SOURCE the atmosphere should be cosidered in

detail.
Source of ignition is any electrical
installation operating at energy levels 4.2 FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES &
sufficient to release incendiary energy. VAPOURS
NOTE: In any installation irrespective of size Flammable substances, the potential
there may be numerous sources of ignition release of which must be considered in area
apart from those associated with electrical classification for electrical insallations,
sources. Precautions may be necessary to include flammable gases, liquefied
ensure safety but guidance in this aspect is petroleum gases (LPG) and vapours of
outside the scope of this standard. flammable liquids.
3.10 NORMAL OPERATIONS 4.2.1 Flammable Gases
Normal operation of a plant or installation Flammable gases commonly encountered
includes start-up and shut down operations include methane and its mixture with small
also. quanities of low-molecular weight hydro-
carbons. These gases are generally lighter
3.11 INCENDIARY ENERGY than air. Hydrogen because of its unique
Hot particle energy sufficient to ignite a pro-perties, shall be given special
specific ignitible mixture. consideration.

3.12 PROTECTED FIRED VESSEL Flammable gases released from an opening

of given size will dissipate rapidly because
Any fired vessel that is provided with of their low relative density and will not
equipment (such as flame arrestors, forced usually affect as wide an area as the
draft burners with safety controls and spark liquefied petroleum gases.
arrestors) designed to eleminate the air
intake & exhaust as sources of ignition. 4.2.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas

3.13 PRESSURISED ROOM Liquefied Petroleum gases include

propanes, propylenes, butanes, butylenes
A room which has been made safe by and their mixtures having relative densities
pressurising or purging with a plenum of from 1.5 to approximately 2.0 times more
safe atmosphere by maintaining a minimum than that of air. Vapour pressure of these
of 25 Pa overpressure than that of gases exceed 2.81 kg/cm2 at 37.8 degree
surrounding atmosphere with all door and C.
windows closed.
These gases in their liquefied state are
highly volatile and have low boiling
4.0 CLASSIFICATION OF PRODUCTS temperature so that they readily pick up
heat creating large volumes of vapour.
4.1 GENERAL
They should be treated very conservatively
Three basic conditions must be satisfied for in considering the extent of areas affected,
the occurence of fire or explosion as since the heavy vapours travel along the
indicated below. ground for long distances if air currents do
not assist diffusion.
(i) A flammable gas or vapour must be
present. 4.2.3 Flammable Liquids
(ii) It must be mixed with air or oxygen in Flammable liquids vary in volatility and have
the proportions required to produce a a flash point below 93 degree C. These are
flammable or ignitible mixture. divided into three classes as follows on the
(iii) There must be an ignition source of basis of volatility.
this mixture. The potential source of CLASS A : Flammable liquids having
ignition is electrical installation flash point below 23 degree
operating at energy level sufficient to C.
release incendiary energy. CLASS B : Flammable liquids having
While analysing any potential hazard, the flash point 23 degree C and
quantity of the substance that might be above but below 65 degree C.
liberated, its physical characteristics and the CLASS C : Flammable liquids having
natural tendency of vapours to disperse in flash point 65 degree C &

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Standards/Guidelines."
4

above but below 93 degree C. to the technique of flame proof enclosure

and to the limiting energy levels of the
The saturated vapours of these flammable intrinsic safety type of protection.
liquids at atmospheric pressure & ambient
temperature are generally heavier than that Apparatus certified for a particular subgroup
of air and tend to settle at lower levels. may be used with gases allocated to a lower
subgroup subject to consideration of
Class A liquids may produce large volumes tempera-ture classification.
of vapour when released in appreciable
quantities to the open. A table having the properties of a few
flammable gases, vapours and liquids and
Class B liquids are heavier and less volatile apparatus subgroup is attached (Refer
than Class A but flash point is at or slightly Table 'A' in Annexure - I).
below normal ambient air temperatures. At
normal storage temperatures such liquids 5.0 CLASSIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS
release vapour slowly and are hazardous AREA
only near the surface of the liquid. At
elevated temperatures Class B liquids 5.1 GENERAL
approach the characteristics of Class A
Areas classified herein cover both
liquids in respect of vapour release.
temporarily and permanently installed
Class C liquids include a broad range from facilities under normal operations in which
cleaner’s solvent to heavy fuel oil in abnormal conditions may exist for which
commer-cial grades. The degree of hazard practical protection is possible.
is low because the rate of vapour release is
The standard does not cover a major
nil at normal ambient temperatures of
catastrophe against which practical
handling and storage. When vapours from
protection is impossible. All hazardous
heated Class C products in process area
areas containing ignitable and explosive
released to the at-mosphere, the chance of
mixtures are classified.
ignition by electrical equipment is not as
great as in case of Class A or Class B The term “abnormal” is used in a limited
liquids because vapours either condense sense. Catastrophic in this context is
rapidly or ignite spontaneously. applied, for example to the rupture of
process vessel or a pipeline. Area
Normally Class A and Class B liquids will
classification norms do not apply to
produce vapours considered to be in
catastrophic failures that are beyond the
flamma-ble range for electrical design
concept of abnormality in this code.
purposes. Class C liquids should be
considered as producing flammable vapours Normal operation is intended to be the
when handled, processed or stored under situation that all plant equipment is
such conditions that the temperature of the operating within its design parameters and
liquid, when released to the atmosphere, includes start up and shut down operation.
would exceed its flash point. Minor releases of flammable material may
be part of normal operation but leakage
4.3 GAS GROUPS (APPARATUS GROUP)
which entail repair or shut down are not part
All gases normally encountered in industry of normal operation.
are categorised into Group-I and Group-II
The heavier than air vapours are not as
gases. Group-I gases are those which are
easily dissipated in the atmosphere as the
found in the coal mining industry and are not
lighter than air vapour. Also lighter than air
covered in this standard. Basis of classifying
gas or vapour will rise in a comparatively
gases & vapours into various groups shall be
still atmosphere whereas heavier than air
as per IS 9570.
gas or vapour will tend to sink and may
Group-II gases have been further thereby spread some distance horizontally
subdivided into three main representative at a low level.
subgroups namely Group-IIA, Group-IIB,
5.2 AREA CLASSIFICATION
and Group-IIC in the increasing order of
their explosiveness. The representative gas To determine the type of electrical
for each of these subgroups being propane, installation appropriate to a particular
ethylene and hydrogen respectively. situation, the hazardous areas have been
classified into three zones namely zone - 0,
It should be noted that apparatus
zone - 1 and zone - 2 according to the
subgrouping is normally applied specifically
probability of the presence of hazardous

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Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 5

atmosphere. 5.2.3 Zone-2

5.2.1 Zone - 0 Areas in which an explosive gas/air mixture
is not likely to occur in normal operation and
An area in which a flammable atmosphere is if it occurs it will exist only for a short time.
present continuously or is likely to be
present for long periods. Examples are Zone-2 locations may be distinguished
vapour space above closed process when any one of the following conditions
vessels, storage tanks or closed containers, exist:
areas containing open tanks of volatile,
flammable liquids etc. - The system handling flammable liquid
or vapour is in an adequately ventilated
5.2.2 Zone-1 area and is so designed and operated
that the explosive or ignitable liquids,
Area in which an explosive gas/mixture is vapours or gases will normally be con-
likely to occur in normal operation. Zone-1 fined within closed containers or closed
locations may be distinguished when any of systems from which they can escape
the following conditions exist : only during abnormal conditions such
- Flammable gas or vapour as accidental failure of a gasket or
concentration is likely to exist in the air packing.
under normal operating conditions. - The flammable vapours can be
conduc-ted to the location as through
- Flammable atmospheric concentration trenches, pipes or ducts.
is likely to occur frequently because of
maintenance, repairs or leakage. - Locations adjacent to Zone-1 areas.
- Failure of process, storage or other - In case positive mechanical ventilation
equipment is likely to cause an is used, the failure or abnormal
electrical system failure simultaneously operation of ventilating equipment can
with the release of flammable gas or permit atmos-pheric vapour mixtures to
liquid. build up to flammable concentrations.

- Flammable liquid or vapour piping sys- 5.3 AREAS NOT CLASSIFIED

tem containing valves, meters,
In general, the following locations where
screwed or flanged fittings is in an
flam-mable petroleum gases and volatile
inadequately ventilated area.
liquids are processed, stored, or handled
- The area below the surrounding are not classified. These areas are
elevation or grade is such that considered safe from the point of view of
flammable liquids or vapours may electrical installation.
accumulate therein.
(a) Areas where the piping system is
The zone-1 classification typically includes: without valves, fittings, flanges or
similar appurte-nances.
i) Imperfectly fitted peripheral seals of
floating-roof tanks. (b) Areas where flammable liquids or
vapours are transported only in
ii) Inadequately ventilated pump rooms suitable containers of vessels.
for volatile, flammable liquids. (c) Areas where permanent ignition
iii) Interiors of Sample Retention Room/ sources are present like areas where
Cabinet as part of quality control labo- combustion occurs, for example flare
ratories, refrigerators and freezers in tips, flare pits and other open flames.
which volatile flammable materials are (d) Enclosed premises in which a plenum
stored in lightly stoppered or easily or purging stream of safe atmosphere
breakable containers. is continuously maintained, so that no
iv) API Separators opening therein may be a point of
ingress of gas or vapours coming from
v) Oily waste water sewer/basins external source of hazard.

vi) LPG cylinder filling and cylinder (e) Gas turbine installation meeting
evacua-tion area. require-ments of Annexure-II
(f) Diesel Generator room / shed having
vii) Areas in the immediate vicinity of vents
adequate ventillation.
and filling hatches.

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Standards/Guidelines."
6

(g) Oil/gas fired boilers installation: than one, that is heavier than-air
Conside-ration should be given, indicates the gas or vapour will tend to
however, to potential leak sources in sink, and may thereby spread over
pumps, valves etc. or in waste product some distance horizontally at a lower
and fuel lines feeding flame or heat level. The latter effects will increase
producing equipment to avoid installing with compounds of greater relative
electrical devices which could then vapour density.
become primary ignition sources for
such leaks. Note: In process industries, the
boundary between compounds which
NOTE: may be considered lighter-than-air is
(i) A protected fired vessel is not set at a relative vapour density of 0.75.
considered a source of ignition and the This limit is chosen so as to provide a
surrounding area is classified the same factor of safety for those compounds
as for a hydrocarbon pressure vessel. whose densities are close to that of air,
and where movement may not
(ii) The area around the fired components therefore be predicted without a
and exhaust outlets of unprotected detailed assessment.
fired vessels need not be classified
from the standpoint of electrical (b) The lower the “lower flammable limit”
equipment. the larger may be the extent of the
hazardous area.
(iii) The area around a flare tip or a flare pit
need not be classified from the stand (c) A flammable atmosphere cannot exist
point of installation of electrical if the flash point is significantly above
equipment. the relevant maximum temperature of
(iv) Electrical equipment may be exposed the flammable liquid. The lower the
to flammable gas during a purge cycle flash point, the larger may be the
of a fired heater or furnace thereby extent of the hazardous area.
requiring protecting measures as
applicable. (d) Boiling point can be used for
comparing the volatility of flammable
liquids. The more volatile a liquid and
6.0 EXTENT OF HAZARDOUS AREA the lower will be its flash point, the
6.1 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS more closely it approxi-mates a
flammable gas.
6.1.1 Properties of Flammable Materials
(e) Ignition temperature and ignition
A complete knowledge of the physical energy of a flammable gas or vapour
proper-ties of the flammable materials affect the design of electrical apparatus
involved is essential for classifying a for hazar-dous areas so that these do
hazardous area. Properties of primary not present an ignition risk.
interest from an ignition standpoint are:
(a) Relative density 6.1.2 Factors Affecting Extent of Hazard

(b) Flammable limits In adition to the properties of flammable

(c) Flash point materials involved, following factors need to
be considered for determining the degree
(d) Volatility and extent of hazardous area while applying
(e) Ignition temperature the guidelines given in this document.
(f) Ignition energy
(a) The extent of a hazardous area may
Some of these characteristics have a direct increase with increasing temperature of
influence on the degree and/or extent of process liquid provided the
hazardous areas while the others affect the temperature is above the flash point. It
design of electrical equipment. should be noted that the liquid or
vapour temperature after the release
6.1.1 (a) Where a gas or vapour is released into may be increased or decreased by the
the atmosphere having a relative ambient temperature or other factors
density less than one, the lighter e.g. a hot surface.
vapour will rise in a comparatively still
atmosphere. A vapour density greater NOTE: Some liquids such as certain

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Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 7

halogenated hydrocarbons do not likely to be found are below ground,

possess a flash point although they are those at ground are next most likely,
capable of producing a flammable and as the height above ground
atmosphere; in these cases, the equili- increases, the potential hazard
brium liquid temperature corresponding decreases.
to saturated concentration at lower
flammable limit should be compared Note: For lighter-than-air gases the
with the relevant maximum liquid opposite is true, there being little or no
temperature. potential hazard at the below ground
and greater potential hazard above
(b) For flammable liquids, the ground.
concentration of the released vapour
is related to the vapour pressure at the 6.1.3 While OISD standard 118 :
relevant maximum liquid temperature.
The lower the initial boiling point the Layout for Oil & Gas Installations indicates
greater the vapour pressure for given interdistances between various facilities,
liquid temperature and hence the OISD-113 refers to distances pertaining to
greater concentration of vapour at the classification of areas for electrical
release source resulting in greater installations.
extent of hazardous area.

(c) The extent of hazardous area may 6.2 HEAVIER THAN AIR GASES & VAPOURS
increase with increasing rate of release
of flammable material.
6.2.1 Open Air Situations
(d) Due to an improved dilution for release
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the situation when
of flammable gases, vapours and/or
a source of hazard which may give rise to a
mists in the air, the extent of hazardous
hazardous atmosphere only under abnormal
area may decrease if, with constant
conditions is loctated in the open air. The
release velocity increases above that
hazardous area should in this case be
which causes turbulent flow.
classi-fied as Zone 2. For heavier-than-air
(e) Air currents may substantially alter the gases and vapours the classified hazardous
outline of the limits of potential hazard. area shall extend vertically 8 m above the
A very mild breeze may serve to source of hazard and horizontally 16 m in all
extend the area in those directions to directions from the source of hazard.
which vapours might normally be Beyond 8 m from the source of the hazard
carried. However, a stronger breeze in the horizontal plane the vertical extent of
may so accelerate the dispersion of the Zone 2 area may be reduced to 8 m
vapours that the extent of potentially above ground level.
hazardous area would be greatly
6.2.1.1 If there is a possibility of large release of
reduced.
volatile products, the Zone 2 area may be
(f) With an increased rate of ventilation, further extended horizontally beyond 16 m
the extent of hazardous area may be up to 32 m with a height of 0.63 m.
reduced. The extent may also be
6.2.1.2 In case of petroleum pipelines where well-
reduced by an improved arrangement
maintained valves, fittings, and meters of a
of the ventilation system.
pipeline system transporting petroleum
(g) Obstacles e.g. dykes, walls may (crude oil, products, and gases) are installed
impede the ventilation and thus may in well-ventilated situations or in a pit, the
enlarge the extent. On the other hand, extent of the Zone 2 area above ground
they may limit the movement of a cloud may be reduced to 4 m in all directions from
of an explosive gas atmosphere and the possible source of hazard, although the
thus may reduce the extent. pit itself should be classified as Zone 1 area.

(h) Elevated or depressed sources of Note: Any trench or pit below ground level
release will alter the areas of potential and located within the area defined above
hazards. should be classified as Zone 1 area.

(i) For vapour released at or near ground NOTES:

level, the areas where potentially
1. If the source of hazard gives rise to a
hazardous concentrations are most
"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD
Standards/Guidelines."
8

hazardous atmosphere under normal Figure 4 illustrates the classification of the

operating conditions, the area area surrounding a floating-roof tank under
described in 6.2.1 as Zone 2 should be normal operating conditions. The space
classified as Zone 1. above the roof and within the shell of the
tank should be classified as Zone 1.
2. In the event of an enclosed premises
not containing a source of hazard but 6.2.3.1 The area surrounding the tank should be
situated within either a Zone 1 or Zone classified as Zone 2. It shall extend
2 area the inside of the premises vertically 3 m above the tank or shall be
should be classified as Zone 1 unless horizontally 3 m from it. If there is a dyke on
separated from the outside hazardous one side of the tank, Zone 2 area should
area by a fire wall. extend up to the dyke, the vertical extension
from the ground level being the same as the
6.2.2 Enclosed Premises and surrounding height of the dyke.
areas
6.2.3.2 In addition, the area extending 1.6 m
6.2.2.1 Zone 2 Classification - Figure 3 illustrates beyond the shell top in all outward directions
the situation when a source of hazard which shall be considered as Zone 1 area.
may give rise to a hazardous atmosphere
6.2.3.3 In the case of fixed-roof tanks, the area
under abnormal conditions is located within
surrounding the tank shown in Fig 4 as
enclosed premises. The whole of the inside
Zone 2 should be classified as Zone 1.
of the building should be classified as Zone
However, in case of fixed roof tanks which
1, as rapid dispersal of hazardous
breathe into closed system and not to
atmosphere may not be expected due to
atmosphere (during filling/emptying ), area
lack of ventilation.
surrounding the tank shall be classified as
6.2.2.2 The Zone 2 area shall extend 16 m Zone - 2, as shown in Fig - 4.
horizontally from the source of hazard and 8
NOTE - Any trench or pit below ground level
m vertically from the ground level. If the
and located within the area defined should
area covered above does not contain the
be classified as Zone 1 area.
area 3 m past the perimeter of the building,
the Zone 2 area shall be extended in such a
way that this area is covered. In case of 6.3 LIGHTER THAN AIR, GASES AND
unpierced vapour-tight walls, the area 3 m VAPOURS
past perimeter need not be considered
within Zone 2 area. Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 detail the extent of
hazardous area for a source of hazard
6.2.2.3 If there is a possibility of large release of located in open air for following situations:
volatile products, Zone 2 area may be
further extended horizonally beyond 16 m Fig.5 : Point of hazard in the air.
up to 32 m with height of 0.63 m.
Fig.6 : Source of hazard located inside
NOTE - Any trench or pit below ground level enclosed premises with
and located within the area defined should restricted ventilation(openings on
be classified as Zone 1 area. top & bottom).

6.2.2.4 Zone 1 Classification - If the source of Fig.7 : Source of hazard located inside
hazard within the enclosed premises gives enclosed premises with
rise to hazardous atmosphere under normal restricted ventilation(openings on
condi-tions, the area within the building sides).
should be classified as Zone 1 and the area
described in 6.2.2.2 & 6.2.2.3 as Zone 2 Fig.8 : Source of hazard located outside
should be classified as Zone 1. the enclosure with one side
open.
6.2.2.5 When the building has a ridge type roof with
ventilators and not a sealed roof as shown 6.4 For typical installation encountered in plants
in Fig. 3, special consideration is necessary handling oil and gas, area classification for
in connection with the vertical extent of the certain additional cases is given in the
hazardous area. following figures.

Fig.9 - Cooling tower handling process

6.2.3 Storage Tanks cooling water.

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Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 9

Fig. 10 - Tank car/tank truck loading viii) API RP 500 Classification of locations for
unload-ing via open system. Electrical Installations in
Petro-leum Refineries
Fig 11 - Tank car/tank truck loading via
closed system. ix) SP-30 (BIS) National Electric Code
Fig 12 - Drum dispensing installation. x) Oil Mines Regulations
Fig 13 - Vent installation.
xi) NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible
Fig 14 - Ball or pig launching or receiving Liquids Code
installation in a nonenclosed
ade-quately ventillated area. xii) NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection
for Laboratories Using
Fig 15 - Enclosed premises with internal Chemicals
source of release.

Fig 16 - Storage for cryogenic liquids.

Fig 17 - Separators, Dissolved Air Floata-

tion (DAF) Units, and Biological
Oxidation (BIOX) Units.

7.0 REFERENCES

i) IS 5571 Guide for Selection of Electrical

Equipment for Hazardous Area

ii) IS 5572 Classification of Hazardous Areas

(other than mines) having
Flamm-able Gases & vapours for
Electrical Installations

iii) IS 9570 Classification of Flammable

Gases or Vapours with Air
according to their Maximum
Experiment Safe Gaps and
Minimum Igniting Current

iv) IS 13408 Code of Practice for the Selection,

Installation and Maintenance of
Electrical Apparatus for Use in
Potentially Explosive
Atmospheres

v) IS 13346 General Requirements for

Electrical Apparatus for Explosive
Gas Atmos-pheres

vi) The Petroleum Rules 1976

vii) NFPA 497A Recommended Practice for

Classification of Class I
Hazar-dous (Classified)
Location for Electrical
Installations in Chemi-cal
Process AreaS

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Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
20 OISD - STD - 113

ANNEXURE - II

GAS TURBINE INSTALLATIONS

A-1 INTRODUCTION drops below 50 Pa (0.5 mbar).

A-1.1 This Annex applies to gas fired turbine b) The fuel gas pipe to each turbine hood
installations. should have no more than one pair of
A-1.2 If the turbine is equipped with an acoustic hood flanges inside the turbine room. All other
or other enclosure containing parts of the fuel requirement as valves, connections, filters,
gas system, this enclosure should be defined drip pot, etc, have to be located either :
as the turbine hood. — outside the turbine room
A-1.3 If the turbine, with or without a turbine hood, is — inside an enclosure separately ventilated
located in an enclosed area, this area should
be defined as the turbine room. — inside the turbine hood provided a special
ventilation of turbine hood
A-2 AREA CLASSIFICATION OF THE — inside turbine hood, provided a special fuel
TURBINE ROOM gas supply arrangement as described in A-4
A-2.1 In order to classify the turbine room as non A-2.2 The turbine room may be classified as Zone 1
hazardous, the following requirements should or Zone 2 if the arrangement is not in
both be fulfilled: compliance with the requirements stated in A-
a) The turbine room should be adequately 2.1 or due to other sources of hazard outside
ventilated that is at least 12 air changes the turbine hood. The turbine or any associated
per hour with proper ventilation patterns. equipment including exhaust piping, should not
The ventilation system should be arranged have a surface temperature above 200°C or
so that an over-pressure of at least 50 Pa above 80 percent of the ignition temperature
(0.5 mbar) is maintained in the turbine for the actual gas/air mixture in the classified
room with respect to the inside of the area without special precautions.
turbine hood and any surrounding
classified areas with openings to the A-3 VENTILATION OF THE TURBINE ROOM
turbine room. A pressure switch should be A-3.1 The turbine hood for a gas fired turbine should
installed in order to give an alarm if the be adequately ventilated with respect
differential pressure

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 21

to the removal of heat from the machinery and A-4.1 The combination of ventilation, fuel gas system
dilution of flammable gas. The air should be arrangement, temperature on exposed sur-
taken from non-hazardous area. faces, electrical equipment inside the turbine
hood, etc, should be considered to evaluate
A-3.2 If the area outside the turbine hood is classified the safety of the turbine hood. The safety
as non-hazardous, the ventilation system principles will be elucidated by some of the
should be arranged so that an under-pressure most common turbine/turbine hood designs.
of at least 50 Pa (0.5 mbar) is maintained
inside the turbine hood with respect to the A-4.2 No Exposed Surface of the Turbine Inside
outside. This differential pressure may be the the Hood will have a Temperature Above
combined effect of the under-pressure inside 200°C During Operation.
the turbine hood and the over-pressure in the
turbine room. Provided the ventilation system provides at
least 12 air changes per hour, the hood should
A-3.3 If the area outside the turbine hood is Zone 2 be considered as adequately ventilated. The
and the turbine hood contains any source of area inside the hood will be regarded as zone
ignition such as a surface with temperature 2 area and accordingly all equipment inside the
above 200°C, or above 80 percent of the ignition hood have to meet Zone 2 requirement. The
temperature for the actual gas/air mixture the equipment which has to be alive after a shut
ventilation system of the turbine hood should be down or stop of ventilation of the hood, should
arranged so that an over-pressure of at least 50 meet Zone 1 requirement. This for instance
Pa (0.5 mbar) is maintained inside the hood with applies to trace heater, post lubrication pumps
respect to the outside. etc. The post lubrication pumps should be
supplied from emergency power sources to
A-3.4 In both situations described above a pressure operate after a shutdown in order to prevent
switch should be installed in order to give an overheating of the bearings. Overheating may
alarm and shutdown after time delay if the diffe- ignite flammable vapour or gas inside the
rential pressure drops below 50 Pa (0.5 mbar). hood.
A-3.5 The number of leakage sources under the A-4.3 The Turbine has Exposed Surfaces with
turbine hood should be kept to a minimum. Temperature Above 200°C
However, a manufacturer may require some
leak-prone equipment to be located inside the If the actual flammable gas ignition
turbine hood. The number of air changes temperature can be tested and a statement
required depends upon the probable sources can be made that the surface temperature of
of leakage, the surface temperature of the the turbine will not exceed 80 percent of the
machine, etc. Examples are given in A-4. ignition tempe-rature, the same situation as
described in A-4.2 above exists.
A-3.6 As an alternative to ventilation of the turbine
hood during shutdown of the turbine. Halon A-4.4 The Turbine has exposed Surfaces with
may be injected. Temperature above 80 Percent of the
Ignition Temperature of the Actual
A-3.7 Provided electrical equipment inside the hood Flammable Gas or the Electrical Equipment
which does not meet zone requirement, the inside the Hood which will be Alive as the
turbine hood should be pre-purged with at least Turbine is Running does not meet Zone 2
5 air changes before starting the turbine or Requirement
energizing any electrical equipment not
suitable for Zone 1 area. The hood then should be ventilated with
sufficient number of air changes per hour to
A-3.8 The fan used for pre-purging should meet Zone make a highly efficient dilution of any hazar-
1 and should be equipped with a starter dous gas leakage inside the hood. The
suitable for Zone 1 or a starter in an area required ventilation rate depends on the
remaining non-hazardous during shutdown. leakage

A-4 AREA CLASSIFICATION OF THE TURBINE

HOOD

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
22 OISD - STD - 113

sources inside the hood and should be A-5.2 The location of the detectors should be chosen
sufficient to keep the internal atmosphere with special care being aware of possible gas
below an average of 20 percent of the lower pockets, air flow patterns, etc.
explosion limit. Ninety air changes per hour is
regarded as a minimum. In addition to the A-5.3 Concerning ventilation arrangement, several
normal ventilation system a 100 percent spare alternatives exist in case of a shut down due to
stand-by fan supplied from a continuous power gas detection inside the hood.
source should be provided. If the ordinary
ventilation fails the spare fan should be a) The ventilation of the turbine hood
automatically activated and an alarm be given continues until hot surfaces have been
in the control room. As an alternative to cooled to a temperature below 80 percent
ventilation of the turbine-hood during shutdown of the ignition temperature of the gas-air
of the turbine, HALON may be injected. mixture which is present. The ventilation
system that will be in operation after a shut
A-4.5 During a shut-down, the turbine hood may be down should be supplied from an
classified as non-hazardous due to special emergency power source with sufficient
arrangement of the fuel gas supply system. A capacity.
system called “Block and Bleed” is described
on Fig. 2. A shut down signal will close valve b) The ventilation stops and inert gas (for
No. 1 and open valve No. 2. The three way example Halon) is released upon detection
of gas inside the hood.
valve will open from the gas distribution
manifold to the flare. The fuel gas lines within Other alternatives may be considered
the turbine room and the turbine hood will then depending on the actual installation.
be depressurized. The probability of gas
escape inside the hood may then be regarded
as minor. In case of a leak only small quantities A-6 ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
of gas will escape. This arrangement does not
A-6.1 The shut down of ventilation system should
reduce the requirements to ventilation while the
correspond to the fire and gas detection system
turbine is running.
and the fire extinction system installed in the
turbine hood and turbine room. Accordingly,
A-5 DETECTION OF ESCAPED GAS other arrangements than those described in this
standard may give an equivalent level of safety.
A-5.1 Gas detectors should be installed inside the
turbine hood. Normally, the turbine should shut A-6.2 Ventilation and combustion air should be taken
down if gas is detected inside the hood. from non-hazardous areas.

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 23

ANNEXURE - III

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
24 OISD - STD - 113

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 25

Note 3

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
26 OISD - STD - 113

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 27

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
28 OISD - STD - 113

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 29

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
30 OISD - STD - 113

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 31

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
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"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
34 OISD - STD - 113

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
OISD - STD - 113 35

Notes :
1. The extent of the classified areas shown shall be modified as required by the proximity ofother potential sources of release of
nearby obstructions. Such as dikes or hills, that would impede dispersal of vapors. Distances given are for typical refinery
installations : they must be used with judgement. With consideration given to all factors discussed in the text.
2. This dimension usually varies from 3 m to 8 m dependent on the volume of the volatiles.
3. Applies to open top tanks or basins.
3. Distance above top of basin tank. Extend to grade for basns or tanks located above ground.

Figure – 17
SEPARATORS, DISSOLVED AIR FLOATION (DAF) UNITS, AND
BIOLOGICAL OXIDATION (BIOX) UNITS

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."
36 OISD - STD - 113

NOTES

"OISD hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of the OISD Standards/Guidelines."