76-500I

THE TECHNICAL TIMES

HEATING EQUIPMENT IN HAZARDOUS
(CLASSIFIED) LOCATIONS
When dealing with hazardous (classified) locations,
special precautions must be exercised when specifying the
proper heating equipment. Merely changing a motor to
explosion proof does not always make a unit explosion
proof. Modine manufactures products which are
specifically designed for use in hazardous environments;
however, knowledge of classifications is necessary before
equipment can be selected.
Hazardous locations are classified by Underwriters
Laboratories (U.L.) depending on the properties of the
flammable vapors, liquids, gases, combustible dusts, or
fibers which may be present, and the likelihood that a
flammable or combustible concentration or quantity is
present. The National Electrical Code (NEC) has a section
devoted to special occupancies, including hazardous
(classified) locations, along with definitions and material
breakdowns. When an area is identified to use or handle
pyrophoric materials, the location shall not be classified.
Pyrophoric materials ignite spontaneously upon contact
with air. The use of electrical equipment suitable for a
hazardous (classified) location will not prevent ignition of
this material. In situations containing pyrophoric
materials, material handling methods must be designed to
prevent contact with air.
Figure 1, on top of next column, is a summary chart to
be used as a preliminary indication of a locations
hazardous classification. The classifying of an area as
hazardous is not the responsibility of the equipment
supplier, it is done by the architect, electrical inspector, or
insurance carrier.

Class I locations are those in which flammable

gases or vapors are or may be present in the air in
quantities sufficient to produce explosive or
ignitible mixtures. Class I locations are further broken

down to identify the likelihood of presence. A Class I,

Division 1 location is defined as an area where the
flammable gases or vapors can exist under normal
operating conditions, or because of frequent repair or
maintenance operations, or when a breakdown or faulty

SUMMARY OF CLASSIFICATION CHART

Class
I. GAS

Division
1. HAZARD MAY EXIST
May Exist in Atmosphere
Under Normal Operating
Conditions

Group
A. Acerylene
B. Hydrogen and Manufactured
Gases containing Hydrogen
C. Perrochemicals (e.g. ethylene)
D. Petrochemicals (e.g. alcohol)

2. POTENTIAL HAZARD

A. Acerylene

A. May Be Present In
Atmosphere Only
Under Abnormal
Circumstances

B. Hydrogen and Manufactured

Gases containing Hydrogen

B. Location Adjacent

D. Petrochemicals (e.g. alcohol)

C. Perrochemicals (e.g. ethylene)

To Division 1
Location
II. DUST

III. FIBERS

1. HAZARD MAY EXIST

May Exist in Atmosphere
Under Normal Operating
Conditions

E. Conductive and Combustible

Dust (Resistivity
<105 ohms/cm)
F. Carbonaceous Dusts (Resistivity)
<102 ohm/cm but <108 ohm/cm)
G. Non-Conductive Combustible
Dust (Resistivity >= 105 ohms/cm)

2. POTENTIAL HAZARD
A. May Be Present In
Atmosphere Only Under
Abnormal Circumstances

G. Non-Conductive Combustible
Dust (Resistivity >= 105 ohms/cm)

1. PRODUCTION
AREAS

Easily Ignitable
Fibers or Flying

2. HANDLING AND
STORAGE AREAS

Easily Ignitable
Fibers or Flying

Figure 1
operation of equipment or a process might release
ignitible concentrations of gases or vapors. A Class I,
Division 2 location is an area where volatile flammable
liquid or gases are handled, processed, or used, but are
normally confined within closed containers or closed
systems for which presence is only possible in case of
accidental rupture or breakdown. By example, if a positive
ventilation means is provided which prevents the
concentration from becoming hazardous, the failure of
this system has the potential of making the area explosive.
Another area which carries the Division 2 classification is
a location adjacent to a Class I, Division 1 location where
ignitible concentrations of gases or vapors might
occasionally migrate.
The second location classification is Class II. Class
II location are hazardous because of the presence
of combustible dusts. A Class II, Division 1 location

Page 1 of 4

contains combustible dust under normal operating

conditions in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or
ignitible mixtures. A Class II, Division 2 location is a
location where combustible dust is not normally in the air,
but combustible dust may be present as a result of
infrequent malfunctioning of handling or processing
equipment.
The last classification used is Class III. Class III
locations are those that are hazardous because of
the presence of easily ignitible fibers or flyings,
but are not likely to be in suspension in the air in
quantities sufficient to produce ignitible mixtures.

A Class III, Division 1 location is a location where easily

ignitible fibers or materials are handled, manufactured, or
used. Where easily ignitible fibers are merely stored the
classification is Class III, Division 2.
Each class and division is further broken down by
groups to indicate the type of gas, vapor, dust, fiber, or
flyings which are contained in the atmosphere. Each
room, section, or area shall be considered individually in
determining class, division, and group. Equipment that
has been approved for a Division 1 location shall be
permitted in a Division 2 location of the same class and
group.
In addition to the previously stated definitions for
determining location classifications, Class I equipment
shall not have any exposed surface which operated at a
temperature above the ignition temperature of the specific
gas or vapor. Class II equipment shall not have an external
temperature higher than that specified in Table 1. Class III
equipment shall not exceed the following maximum
surface temperatures:

For a more detailed explanation of hazardous

(classified) locations, contact your local electrical
inspector or refer to Chapter 5, in the National Electrical
Code Handbook.
Once a basic understanding of hazardous location
classifications is known, this knowledge can be used to
assist in heating equipment selection. A combustible or
ignitible atmosphere is capable of explosion by a sudden
spark, such as from the arc created when electrical
contacts make and break; open flames, as found on all gas
or oil-fired equipment; and from surface temperatures
exceeding the ignition temperatures of a given gas, dust,
or fiber.
Modine offers two basic types of unit heaters which
can be utilized in a hazardous location. They are the
steam/hot-water unit heater equipped with explosionproof motor and the electric unit heater for hazardous
(classified) locations. Both units are designed to operate
in specific environments.
Modine steam/hot-water unit heaters can be classified
explosion proof with the addition of an explosion-proof
motor and explosion-proof junction box. These units are
then suitable for Class I, Group D; Class II, Groups F and
G; and Class III atmospheres. Canadian Standards
Association (CSA) requirements state that explosionproof units may not be used with a fluid temperature in
excess of 329F or 100 psi and still maintain their
explosion-proof rating.

165C (329F) for equipment not subject to

overloading.
120C (248F) for equipment (such as motor or
power transformers) that may be overloaded.

TABLE 1
MAXIMUM MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT SURFACE
TEMPERATURES CLASS II HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS
EQUIPMENT (SUCH AS MOTORS OR POWER TRANSFORMERS)
EQUIPMENT THAT IS NOT

THAT MAY BE OVERLOADED

SUBJECT TO OVERLOADING
NORMAL OPERATION

ABNORMAL OPERATION

DEGREES

DEGREES

DEGREES

DEGREES

GROUP

200
200
105

392
392
329

200
150
120

392
302
248

200
200
165

392
392
329

GLASS II DEGREES DEGREES

F
G

Explosion-Proof Electric
The newest addition to the Modine family of
explosion-proof units is the electric unit heater for
hazardous (classified) locations. These units are suitable
for operation in Class I, Group D; and Class II, Groups
E,F, and G locations. These are the only products which
are explosion proof.

Page 2 of 4

To our knowledge no one manufacturers an

explosion-proof gas-fired unit heater. Putting an
explosion-proof motor on a gas, oil, or standard electric
unit heater does not make that unit explosion proof. These
units contain a heat exchanger whose surface temperature
very often exceeds the ignition temperature very often
exceeds the ignition temperature of many gases, dusts and
fibers. Gas and Oil units also contain an open flame, used
to fire the heat-exchanger, which may ignite the hazardous
atmosphere. Gas, oil, or electric units contain electrical
components which produce enough voltage and spark to
cause ignition.
When you are not sure if an area is classified as
hazardous, you can do a few things to determine it. First,
look to see if lights or other electrical components are
explosion proof. Also, check to see if the area contains
special precautions or warning signs which might indicate
a hazardous classification. Third, check with the building
owner or architect. If the building permits have been
issued, they should note when an area is hazardous. Make
certain that explosion-proof equipment is always used
when an area is classified hazardous. Equipment must be
selected to suit the environment for which it is installed.
Not all explosion-proof equipment can be installed in all
hazardous locations. Explosion-proof equipment serves a
unique market segment, and it is crucial that equipment
meet very stringent specifications.

APPENDIX A
The following information is included to give a quick
reference of definitions of hazardous locations. This
information is limited and only includes definitions for
classifications which Modine products meet. For a more
complete listing of Hazardous Location Definitions see
NEC Handbook, Chapter 5.
HAZARDOUS LOCATION DEFINITIONS
HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS - Areas where the
possibility of explosion or fire exists because of the
presence of flammable gases, vapors, or dusts, etc.
DIVISION I - Locations where the hazard is expected to
be present during normal production operations, or
during frequent maintenance and repair activities.
DIVISION II - Locations where the hazards would only
exist as a result of an accident or other abnormal event
such as a rupture or spillage.
CLASS I - Areas where sufficient quantities of
flammable gases or vapor exist in the air to be explosive
or ignitible.
*
*
*
*
*
*

Offshore and land based drilling rigs, petroleum

exploration and testing facilities.
Petroleum refineries, gasoline storage and dispensing
areas.
Industrial firms that use flammable liquids dip tanks
for parts cleaning or other operations.
Dry cleaning plants where vapors from cleaning
fluids can be present.
Aircraft hangars and fuel servicing areas.
Utility gas plants and operations involving storage
and handling of liquefied petroleum gas or natural
gas.

GROUP D - Gases or vapors with specific explosive

characteristics grouped together including:
Acetone
Acrylonitrile
Ammonia
Allyl Alcohol
Amyl Acetate
Benzene
Blast Furnace Gas
1, 3 - Butadiene
Butane
n-Butyl Acetate
Iso-Butyl Acetate
Cyclohexane
Ethane

Ethanol
Ethyl Acetate
Ethylene Dichloride
Ethyl Alcohol
Ethyl Nitrite
Gasoline
Heptane
Hexane
Isoprene
Methane
Methanol
Methyl Acetate
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Naphtha
Natural Gas
Iso-Octane
Pentane
Propane
Propylene
n-Propyl Acetate
Styrene
Toluene
Vinyl Acetate
Vinyl Chloride
Xylene

Page 3 of 4

CLASS II - Areas which are made hazardous by the

existence of combustible dusts.
*
*
*
*
*
*

TYPICAL HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERES

Class I & II, Groups D, E, F & G

Coal preparation plants and other carbon handling or

processing areas.
Grain elevators, flour and feed mills.
Plants that manufacture, or use or store magnesium
or aluminum powders.
Plants that have chemical or metal-lurgical processes
. . . producers of plastics, medicines and fireworks,
etc.
Producers of starch or candies.
Spice grinding plants, sugar plants and cocoa plants.

NEC
CODE
NO.

T1

GROUP E - Powdered metals such as aluminum and

magnesium, and other metal dusts with similar
characteristics.
GROUP F - Dusts such as carbon black coke, and coal
dust.

800
790
790
780

413

775

413
405

775
761

404
402
399

759
756
750

385
343
363
350

725
650
685
662

300

572

Ethyl acetate
Isobutyl acetate
N-butyl acetate
2-Methyl-1-propanol
(isobutyl alcohol)
1-propanol
(propyl alcohol)
Ethylene dichloride
2-butanol (secondary
butyl alcohol)
Methyl ethyl Ketone
Vinyl acetate
2-propanol
(ispropyl alcohol)
Methanol (methyl alcohol)
1-butanol (butyl alcohol)
Ethanol (ehtyl alcohol)
3-methyl-1 butanol
(isomyl alcohol)
1-pentanal (amyl alcohol)

T2A

288
288
280

550
550
536

Butane
Petroleum naptha
Gasoline (56-60 octane)

T2C

243

470

Pentanes

T2D

225
220

437
428

Hexanes
Isoprene

T3

206
204
200

403
399
392

Octanes
Heptanes
Metal & Coal Dust

T3B

165

329

Grain Dust

T2

The atmosphere given are those found in NFPA 427m, 1986 & NFPA 325m, 1984. For
other hazardous atmospheres not listed above, consult NFPA 497m and 325m.

1500 DeKoven Avenue

Racine, Wisconsin 53403-2552
Phone: 1.800.828.HEAT
Fax: 1.262.636.1665
www.modine.com
Modine Manufacturing Company 2002

ATMOSPHERES
Ammonia
Methane (natural gas)
Benzene
Styrene
Acrylonitrile
Toluene
Ethane
Vinyl Chloride
Acetone
Acetic Acid (glacia)
Xylenes
Gasoline (100 octane)
Propylene
Propane
Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

427
421
421
416

GROUP G - Dusts, including flour, starch, spices, and

grain dust.

Commercial HVAC&R Division

Modine Manufacturing Company

IGNITION
TEMPERATURE
C
F
498
928
630
999
498
928
490
914
524
975
480
896
472
882
472
882
465
869
464
867
464
867
456
853
455
851
450
842
440
840

3/02 - Litho in USA

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