Hazardous Areas - European Classification Standard

European Zone/Group classification system for hazardous areas based on IEC 60079 standards. Classifies areas by zone (gas/dust probability) and group (hazard material type).

Hazardous Areas - European Classification Standard

In Europe and most of the world outside North America, hazardous areas are classified using the Zone system:

Zones - Define the general nature (gas or dust) and probability of hazardous material in the surrounding atmosphere
Groups - Define the type of hazardous material and partly the location of the surrounding atmosphere

This system is based on the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC 60079 Explosive atmospheres standard.

Zone	Nature and Probability of Hazard Material
Zone 0	Ignitable concentrations present continuously or for long periods
Zone 1	Ignitable concentrations likely under normal operating conditions
Zone 2	Ignitable concentrations not likely under normal conditions, short periods only

Zone	Nature and Probability of Hazard Material
Zone 20	Combustible dusts present continuously or for long periods
Zone 21	Combustible dusts likely under normal operating conditions
Zone 22	Combustible dusts not likely under normal conditions, short periods only

Group	Type of Hazardous Material and Location
Group I	Mines susceptible to firedamp (flammable gas mixtures naturally occurring in mines)
Group IIA	Propane, acetone, benzene, butane, methane, petrol, hexane, paint solvents
Group IIB	Ethylene, propylene oxide, ethylene oxide, butadiene, cyclopropane, ethyl ether
Group IIC	Acetylene, hydrogen, carbon disulphide
Group IIIA	Atmospheres containing combustible flyings
Group IIIB	Atmospheres containing non-conductive dust
Group IIIC	Atmospheres containing conductive dust

Calculator

Inputs

Hazard Material Type

Probability of Presence

Material Classification

Results

Determined Zone--

Complete Classification--

Classification Examples

Propane Gas Installation

Classification: Zone 2, Group IIA
Reasoning: Propane is a Group IIA material, and in a typical room installation it's unlikely to reach ignitable concentrations under normal conditions

Petrol Pump

Classification: Zone 1, Group IIA
Reasoning: Petrol is a Group IIA material, and at a pump station, ignitable concentrations are likely to occur during normal operations

Mining Location

Classification: Zone 0-2, Group I
Reasoning: Group I applies exclusively to mines susceptible to firedamp, with zone depending on operational conditions