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Home > Industrial Vacuums > Explosion Proof Vacuums > Explosion Hazards
When does a risk of fire and explosion arise?
An explosion hazard exists when three conditions exist simultaneously.
1. Oxygen (O2)
2. Flammable dust or gas
3. An ignition source
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An ignition source can consist of the following:
1. Flame
2. Electrical contact sparks
3. Friction sparks
4. Electrostatic discharge
5. Hot surface temperatures
Generally, the risk of explosions can be greatly reduced by the regular cleaning of dust deposits. It is however difficult to control the atmosphere in hazardous areas. For that reason, it is extremely important to define the risk associated with the use of specific equipment in hazardous areas.
Standards for the construction of specific equipment used in hazardous locations must meet set guidelines. The European ATEX 94/9 and the U.S. NEC 500 and 505 clearly define these guidelines. These standards are quite similar with ATEX using "zones/category" and the U.S. using the "class/division" designation to identify risks associated with hazardous locations. |
Classification Comparison
The table below provides a comparison between the NEC 500 and IEC Systems for specifying the degree of hazard present in classified locations.
| HAZARDOUS MATERIAL | NEC U.S. STANDARD | IEC/EURONORM STANDARD |
| Gas or Vapor | CLASS 1, DIVISION 1 | ZONE 0, ZONE 1 |
| CLASS 1, DIVISION 2 | ZONE 2 |
| Dust | CLASS II, DIVISION 1
CLASS II, DIVISION 2 | ZONE 20, ZONE 21
ZONE 22 |
| Fibers or Filings | CLASS III, DIVISION 1
CLASS III, DIVISION 2 | NO EQUIVALENT
NO EQUIVALENT |
Ruwac designs and manufactures EXP rated hazardous duty vacuums up to 75 horse power.
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