The classification of hazardous zones is essential to ensuring the selection of safe apparatus where an explosive atmosphere is present.
This presentation seeks to arm the engineer with relevant information regarding the process and methods of classifying hazardous zones and also acts as a critique of the existing standard.
Considering the severity of explosion damage, appropriate mitigation strategies must be implemented and the engineer must exercise due diligence in classifying hazardous zones, as negligence or incompetence can lead to disastrous results.
The mammoth task of creating an objective framework based on a subjective foundation is ambitious at best, especially considering that the field of hazardous zoning is relatively new.
However, the quest for knowledge is an unending one and the onus falls on the engineering community, particularly engineers in the field of research, to supplement the existing standards and remedy their inadequacies.