How to classify a space?

[larrybartowski]

I'm doing a design build build-out of an existing space and the inspector is requiring the space to be classified (after there is MC in the walls). It's a roughly 10,000 sq ft space where the customer will be performing maintainence on diesel engines. I have the MSDS for the 2 sovlents/cleaners they will be using. How do I go about getting this space classified?

The 2 chemicals they plan to use are flammable when concentrated but aren't likely to be present in hazardous amounts under normal conditions.

Any help is appreciated.

EDIT: Not for maintenance, but for assembly of new motors. 1 cleaner and 1 degreaser will be used.

 

[sgunsel]

What do you mean by "flammable when concentrated but aren't likely to be present in hazardous amounts under normal conditions" ?

 

[larrybartowski]

Ok, I take that back.

The aerosol contact cleaner is flammable and contains n-hexane and methanol. The degreaser contains bromopropane and butanol and says "vapor harmful".

Does the amount of the chemicals present make a difference when classifying? They will not be in constant use, and there will be an exhaust fan in the space.

Also, because the receptacles in the wall are about 4' off of the floor is it OK for them to be fed with MC?

EDIT: I also planned on putting 2 electrical panels within the space.

 

[renosteinke]

Determining the classification of an area requires that several factors be considered, and thus places it well outside the competence of nearly all electricians. They ought not be asking you to make the call.

The materials are evaluated in terms of ignition temperature and explosive pressure.

The area contributes factors, such as the temperature of the equipment, ventilation, sparking, and quantity of vapors.

Less obvious, but the cost of a loss is also a consideration. After all, aircraft hangers are 'classified' while home oil burners are not.

I've recently gone through this issue with a customer - though, in that instance, it was a laquer spray operation and the need to heat the laquer lines. There's really no substitute for a proper engineering study.

 

[Rockyd]

As is properly mentioned, this is outside the scope of an electrician, it requires a professional engineer with a stamp. i would recommend looking in an 08 NEC and rading 505.5 (all of it) to wrap the head around the task at hand.

I wouldn't want to put the panels in the same room if it will become classified space, rated panels are serious money!

 

[rbalex]

The context of your original question would probably have placed the installation under NEC Article 511, Commercial Garages, Repair and Storage which draws largely from NFPA 30A, Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages; however, your ?Edit? to an engine assembly operation significantly alters the picture. Now it would appear the appropriate Standard is NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code.

Both Standards are ?Codes? but NFPA 30 is far more general and, as mentioned by others, it definitely would take an analysis by someone much more familiar with the details of the processes and operations involved than your quick description provides.

The truth is, the analysis could be fairly complex, but the ultimate outcome would probably be rather benign. Without a rigorous analysis by someone knowledgeable with the installation, processes, operations and proper area classification techniques, the forum answers are only speculations at best.

 

[petersonra]

The truth is, the analysis could be fairly complex, but the ultimate outcome would probably be rather benign.

Something along the lines of someone wondering if they should classify an area because they used WD40 now and then.

I do love the way you put it though.

 

[rbalex]

Something along the lines of someone wondering if they should classify an area because they used WD40 now and then.

That?s not a bad analogy. But the definition of Unclassified Locations (?Locations determined to be neither ??)[Section 500.2] still requires that at least some level of appropriate evaluation was made ? even for the occasional dose of WD40.