Hazardous Classification Design Considerations

Title: Hazardous Classification Design Considerations (joint technical seminar sponsored by the IEEE Southern Alberta & Northern Canada Sections’ Power Energy/Industry Applications Societies (PES/IAS) Joint Chapter)

Dates:

Calgary – May 14, 2012
Edmonton – May 15, 2012

Time (both cities): 6:20 – 9:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)

Location:

Calgary

Events Center B & C
University of Calgary Downtown Campus
#344, 906 – 8th Avenue S.W.
(Right off of the C-Train tracks)

Parking on the street is free after 6:00pm. There are also various parking lots around, but they do charge (nominal fees for evening).

Edmonton

German Club
Heidelberg Room
8310 Roper Road (51^st Ave)

Speakers: Vince Rowe, Marty Cole, Tim Driscoll

Sponsors: Killark, Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Emerson Industrial Automation, Marex and Rockwell Automation

Details: Most designers learn Class I Hazardous Location design techniques by interpreting the Rules in Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) then applying relevant Industry standards and recommended practices. Unfortunately the lack of understanding of the underlying principles on which theCEC and the associated product standards are based, often leads to issues in the classification of Class I hazardous areas and in the wiring methods and equipment selection in those areas. This often results in inappropriate area classification of facilities, which in most cases results in “over-classification”, unnecessarily increased costs, and operating issues.

This presentation will outline the underlying principles used in classifying hazardous areas and in the selection of equipment in those areas. It will outline a number of common issues or misunderstandings relative to the following documents:

• Canadian Electrical Code Part I – Safety Standard for Electrical Installations
• Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code
• Alberta Code for Electrical Installations at Oil and Gas Facilities
• API RP505 Recommended Practice for Classification for Electrical Installations at Petroleum
• Facilities Classified as Class I, Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2
• NFPA 496 Standard for Purged and Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment

API RP505 and RP500 are in the process of being updated. This presentation will outline the change process and the significant proposed changes, some of which may be controversial.

When the three Zone method of classification was introduced in the 1998 CEC it was mainly to allow the use of Hazardous Location equipment based on IEC standards. This equipment offers significant advantages in the areas of safety, cost and maintainability. Unfortunately some designers have been slow to embrace this equipment in their designs and so this presentation includes a review of commercially available IEChazardous location equipment and the principles of IEC hazardous location equipment design.

Please direct your questions, inquiries or clarifications related to seminar including registration to Doug Brooks (Calgary), Patrick Wong (Calgary), or Peter Rothwell (Edmonton).

Advanced online registration and payment only. If payment does not go through, registered attendees will pay at the door rate BY CHEQUE or MONEY ORDERS ONLY to be made out to “IEEE Southern Alberta Section”. No refunds accepted.

Payment in advance is now available using your Credit Card by going to the IEEE vTools Meetings website for Calgary or Edmonton.

This seminar meets the APEGGA and ASET requirements for seminar attendance for professional development. In addition, you can join IEEE, learn about IEEE SAS events, learn about NCS, or stay updated on future PES-IAS events.