What You Need to Know About Zone 1 and Zone 2 Hazardous Areas

  

Zone 1 vs. Zone 2: What is the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

There is no doubt that hazardous work environments pose significant risks to human life and property. According to the International Labour Organization, 6,000 people die daily from work-related accidents and diseases across the globe. Given these dangers, organizations and stakeholders within hazardous areas must respond appropriately to protect their workers and assets. A key element in ensuring safety involves classifying workplaces into Zone 1 and Zone 2, based on the severity of dangers they pose and their properties and characteristics. This classification provides a practical way for workplaces to use intrinsically safe Zone 1-certified devices like those offered by Aegex Technologies in potentially explosive atmospheres where the presence of flammable gas, dust, or vapor is possible. This article discusses the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2 classification and why Zone 1 certification is necessary for devices used in hazardous environments.

What Is the Difference Between Zone 1 and Zone 2?

Hazardous areas are typically divided into different zones based on the level of risk associated with them. Each zone is characterized by the probability and regularity of encountering explosive gases, dust, or other dangerous substances. The categorization method employed for hazardous area zones differs according to the country and region. However, there are two primary classifications: Zone 1 and Zone 2. Let us look at the critical differences between Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas.

Zone 1

Zone 1 is an area where a hazardous atmosphere is likely to occur during normal operating conditions. In such areas, workers expect flammable gases, vapors, or dust to be present in the atmosphere, but not continuously. Some dangerous industries that fall under Zone 1 environment include:

• Oil and gas facilities, such as refineries, drilling rigs, and storage tanks.
• Petrochemical plants
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities
• Specialty chemical plants, such as cement, paper, and plastic plants
• Mines that extract minerals, metals, or coal
• Paint and coating manufacturing plants.
• Some food processing facilities, such as flour and sugar mills

The presence of ignitions, such as a hot surface, a discharge from electricity, a running engine, or an arcing wire in Zone 1 areas, can create an explosion that causes severe injuries, deaths, and property damage. For this reason, the equipment used in Zone 1 areas must be designed and certified to be intrinsically safe, explosion-proof, or have other appropriate protective measures to prevent the ignition of the hazardous atmosphere.

Zone 2

A hazardous atmosphere in Zone 2 area is less likely to occur and is not expected to be present under normal operating conditions. Areas may become hazardous in cases of unusual operating conditions or an accident.

Equipment used in Zone 2 areas may have less stringent requirements compared to Zone 1. While they still need to minimize the risk of ignition, the level of protection is lower than that required for Zone 1. Some of the industries that fall under a Zone 2 environment include:

• Chemical storage rooms
• Compressor and pump rooms
• Paint spray booths.
• Sewage treatment plants

Why Zone 1 Certification Is Necessary for Devices Used in Hazardous Environments

These dangerous environments require Zone 1 certification to ensure they meet specific safety and performance standards required to operate in such areas. Here are a few reasons why Zone 1 certification is essential for devices used in hazardous environments:

• Enhanced safety: As mentioned earlier, Zone 1 areas have a significant risk of flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dust. Devices used in such locations must meet stringent safety standards to prevent the ignition of these materials. Zone 1-certified devices feature a design that minimizes the risk of explosions or fires. Typically, certified devices used in industries such as oil and gas exploration, grain handling facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturing limit potential ignition sources to prevent fire injuries and deaths.

 

• Regulatory compliance: Various regulatory bodies, such as the European Union with its ATEX directive and the U.S. with its NEC and IEC standards, require equipment used in hazardous areas to meet specific safety standards. Zone 1 certification ensures compliance with these regulations.

 

• Reliability: Zone 1-certified devices can withstand the harsh conditions found in hazardous areas. They are designed to operate reliably in environments with potential temperature extremes, high humidity, and chemical exposure, making them essential for industries like petrochemicals, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and more. Their reliability eliminates the risks of costly disruptions due to incidences, malfunctions, and accidents.

 

• Risk mitigation: Certification helps mitigate the risks associated with using electrical and electronic equipment in hazardous areas. It ensures that devices have features like explosion-proof enclosures, protected wiring, and safe materials that reduce the likelihood of igniting explosive atmospheres.

How Aegex Technologies Can Help

Aegex Technologies is a leading provider of intrinsically safe devices and solutions for hazardous environments. Aegex devices, such as Aegex100M Intrinsically Safe Tablet is designed for use in potentially explosive atmospheres where traditional electronic equipment could pose a safety risk. These devices help prevent spark, heat, and electrical energy generation that could ignite flammable gases, vapors, or dust in these environments. They meet stringent safety standards and certifications, such as ATEX and IECEx, which have global recognition. Some of the crucial Aegex digital tools for hazardous areas include:

• Aegex100M Intrinsically Safe Tablet: This tablet is an upgrade of the Aegex 10 tablet, certified for use in Zone 1/Division 1 environments, which are the most hazardous. The Aegex100M features a rugged and durable design that can withstand harsh conditions. It boasts dynamic new connectivity options that allow field workers to access critical data, communicate, and collaborate while ensuring safety.

 

• Mobile Apps: Aegex provides a range of mobile apps designed to work seamlessly with its intrinsically safe devices. These apps are tailored to specific industrial use cases, such as asset management, inspections, and maintenance.

Leverage Aegex's Technologies Intrinsically Safe Devices to Enhance Safety and Productivity

The primary goal of Zone 1 hazardous areas classification is to provide the industry with a practical way to identify intrinsically safe equipment compatible with the probability and frequency of flammable, explosive atmospheres present. Using Zone 1-certified equipment helps reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and property damage in hazardous environments. Aegex Technologies provides high-quality, intrinsically safe solutions designed to improve safety in your operations and enhance productivity and efficiency. Contact us today to learn more.