F2 Labs specializes in hazardous location product testing to ensure compliance with safety standards for explosive or flammable environments. We test to UL, CSA, IECEx, and ATEX requirements, helping you certify equipment for use in classified locations.
Hazardous Location Testing – With more than 25 years’ experience, F2 Labs can assist you with your Hazardous Location testing needs.
Intrinsic Safety (IS) Certification Evaluation – IS Design is a suitable approach to minimize the risk of ignition. The product as a whole must be evaluated. It is not enough to just have intrinsically safe components.
Hazardous Location Classes/Divisions for the US and Canada. They are categorized as follows:
Divisions
The division defines the probability of hazardous material being present in an ignitable concentration in the surrounding atmosphere.
| Division | Presence of Hazardous Material |
| Division I |
ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, mist or vapors can exist under normal operating conditions
|
| Division II |
ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, mist or vapors are not likely to exist under normal operating conditions
|
Classes
The classes define the general nature of hazardous material in the surrounding atmosphere.
| Class | Hazardous Material in Surrounding Atmosphere |
| Class I |
Flammable gases, mist or vapors
|
| Class II |
Combustible dust
|
| Class III |
Ignitable fibers/flyings
|
Groups
The groups define the properties of the material in the surrounding atmosphere
- A – Acetylene
- B – Hydrogen
- C – Ethylene
- D – Propane
- E – Metal Dusts (Div. 1 only)
- F – Carbonaceous Dusts
- G – Non-Conductive Dusts (flour, grain, wood, plastic, etc.)
Zones
Zones are classified by the frequency and likeliness of ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, mist, vapor, or dust, fibers/flyings being present during normal operation of the product.
| Gases, Mists, & Vapors | Dust & Fibers/Flyings |
|---|---|
|
|
F2 Labs makes HazLoc testing simple. Experience the Difference.
Below is a sample marking of a HazLoc label:
HazLoc standards:
Series Explosive Atmosphere Standards
Explosive atmospheres – Part 0: Equipment – General requirements
The standard for Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated Apparatus for Use in Class I, II, and III, Division 1, Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Part 0: Equipment – General requirements
Part 1: Equipment protection by flameproof enclosures ‘d’
Part 2: Equipment protection by pressurized enclosures ‘p’
Part 5: Equipment protection by powder filling ‘q’
Part 6: Equipment protection by oil immersion ‘o’
Part 7: Equipment protection by increased safety ‘e’
Explosive atmospheres – Part 11: Equipment by intrinsic safety.
Part 13: Equipment protection by pressurized room “p” and artificially ventilated room “v”
Part 15: Equipment protection by type of protection ‘n’
Part 16: Artificial ventilation for the protection of analyser (s) houses
Part 18: Equipment protection by encapsulation “m”
Part 25: Intrinsically safe electrical systems
Part 26: Equipment with equipment protection level (EPL) Ga
Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation
Part 30-1: Electrical resistance trace heating – General and testing requirements
Part 30-1: Electrical resistance trace heating – General and testing requirements
Part 31: Equipment dust ignition protection by enclosure ‘t’
Part 33: Equipment protection by special protection ‘s’
Edition 1 Explosive atmospheres – Part 46: Equipment assemblies
Part 34: Application of quality systems for equipment manufacture
Part 36: Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres – Basic method and requirements
Part 37: Non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres – Non electrical type of protection constructional safety “c”, control of ignition source “b”, liquid immersion “k”
IECEx Scheme
IECEx Scheme is an International approval scheme intended for equipment used in a potentially explosive atmosphere. These approvals help streamline the approval process when you intend to market your product internationally.
The product is assessed and tested against the applicable IEC standards. An IECEx Certified product is issued with an IECEx Certificate and associated test report (ExTR). These documents can then be submitted to member countries as evidence that the product is in compliance.
Countries Participating in the IECEx Scheme:
- Australia
- Hungary
- Romania
- Brazil
- India
- Russia
- Canada
- Italy
- Slovenia
- China
- Japan
- South Africa
- Croatia
- Korea
- Singapore
- Czech Republic
- Malaysia
- Sweden
- Denmark
- The Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Finland
- New Zealand
- Turkey
- France
- Norway
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Poland
- U.S.A.
