Hazardous Locations

Section 18 of the Ontario Electrical Code pertains to Hazardous Locations. The Owner/Employer in a facility is required to identify hazardous locations where the risk of ignition of vapours, dusts or fibres / flyings exists, and take measures to ensure that the electrical equipment and wiring methods comply. As part of general expertise in Fire Code, HITE Engineering has been providing area classification drawings since 1998, signed & sealed by a professional engineer, using guidance from the Ontario Electrical Code, NFPA, UL, FM Global and IEC Standards.

We utilize calculation methods that take in to account the amount of exhaust ventilation provided, which often results in Zone 0 and Zone 1 volumes being very small and manageable. We provide easy-to-understand drawings with details on Classification, Division (or Zone), Group and Temperature Code.

De-classifying A Hazardous Location

We assist clients in de-classifying hazardous locations through the use of combustible gas detection instruments (CGDI’s) as per the Ontario Electrical Code (Rule 18-070) which states: “Where a deviation is allowed in accordance with Rule 2-030, electrical equipment suitable for non-hazardous locations shall be permitted to be installed in a Class I, Zone 2 hazardous location and electrical equipment suitable for Class 1, Zone 2 hazardous locations shall be permitted to be installed in a Class I, zone 1 hazardous location, provided that the location is continuously monitored by a combustible gas detection instrument that:

Will actuate ventilating equipment or other means designed to prevent the concentration of gas from reaching the lower explosive limit when the gas concentration reaches 20% of the lower explosive limit; and,
Will automatically de-energize the equipment being protected when the gas concentration reaches 40% of the lower explosive limit; and,
Will automatically de-energize the equipment being protected upon failure of the gas detection instrument.”