Question about using equipment in a Class 1 Div 1 Area

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JimToss

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Hello All,

I found this page to ask a bit of a convoluted questions. There seems to be a lot of knowledge here which I was hoping to tap into. As a disclaimer I am not looking to do any work, just to be pointed in the right direction, or to a reference.

I work at a chemical company which has a Class 1 Div 1 rated Spray booth.
We are looking to use a piece of electrical equipment within the spray booth which would use NO flammable or combustible material. We would also ensure no other work would be done in the area at the time.
Essentially while using this equipment we have no chance of Class 1 or Div 1 hazards due to the materials being used.

Considering this...could I use this piece of electrical equipment within the Class 1 Div 1 coded area?

Is there a way to modify/notify when this process is being run that the area does not contain these hazards? We are getting push back on running it in the area. Our major point being the protection of the spray booth exhaust.

Are there any pages within any codes that you can point me to which deals with this? Or just thoughts in general?

Thank you all in advance for your replies.
 
An excellent question. Clearly permanent wiring and equipment needs to be designed for the worst case exposure in the booth. But if no flammables during a specific period can you bring other temp equipment in?

That makes sense, but this is code.
While the booth is being constructed or maintained there are periods when it does not conform and you just keep the flammables out during that time. Not quite the same, but....

There are definitely folks here whose opinion or guidance I would respect. Good luck.
 
Smart $ said:
Iwas thinking the same thing as I was reading the OP. :happyyes:

Welcome, Mr. Toss. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

another +1 on that. that way there is a procedure in place,
and that procedure could include LOTO on the spray equipment
that makes it a CL1 Div1 location in the first place.

is there anything in the temp process, that when completed,
could cause an ignition hazard when you resume CL1 Div1?
you could include remediation of any such issues part of the
hot work permit, so you wouldn't have overlap.

if you are bringing non listed sources of ignition in the area,
i'm seeing a kirk key in your future as part of this......
 
Fulthrotl said:
another +1 on that. that way there is a procedure in place,
and that procedure could include LOTO on the spray equipment
that makes it a CL1 Div1 location in the first place.

is there anything in the temp process, that when completed,
could cause an ignition hazard when you resume CL1 Div1?
you could include remediation of any such issues part of the
hot work permit, so you wouldn't have overlap.

if you are bringing non listed sources of ignition in the area,
i'm seeing a kirk key in your future as part of this......
Click to expand...

Thank You all for your responses so far.

Just to elaborate more.
The equipment we would be bringing into the area would be completely portable/removable.
Essentially wheel in for the day, wheel out at night. Nothing left over for a CL1 Div1 issues.

I started reading up on hot work procedures due to recommendations.
But it seems like they all are referencing the CL1 Div1 hazards which are no longer present during this operation?
But is that still the correct way to go?

Thanks again!
 
Your basic reference is Section 500.4(A). You need to document the procedure that will render the location unclassified. Once done, your “hot work” permit documents that the location has been temporarily reclassified. I would consider modeling the permit after an energized work permit in NFPA 70E, Annex J.

Beyond the suggestions already made, the procedure needs to consider ventilating the location before using the temporary equipment. The basis for adequately ventilating the location is in NFPA 30; however, a good summary may be found in NFPA 496.
 
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