Hazardous Area Trace Heating
What is an explosive atmosphere?
ESH Trace Heating Ltd hold approvals for the manufacture of explosive atmosphere trace heating solutions.
An explosive atmosphere location is defined as a place where concentrations of flammable gases, vapors, or dusts occur. If there is enough of the substance, mixed with air, any source of ignition could cause an explosion.
Explosions could lead to loss of life and serious injuries as well as significant damage and expense. Preventing the concentrations of dangerous substances, which create an explosive atmosphere, and preventing the ignition source are the two most commonly used ways to reducing the risk.
All electrical equipment that must be installed in hazardous locations are specifically designed and tested to ensure it does not initiate an explosion, due to arcing contacts or high surface temperature of equipment.
What is a stabilised design?
A stabilised system is where the power loading of the trace heating tape is such that under conditions of no temperature control i.e. thermostat failure, the sheath temperature of the trace heating tape cannot exceed the 'T' classification.
Ideally all heat trace systems should be designed to be stabilised systems.
Where stabilised designs cannot be achieved it is necessary to employ an over-ride thermostat with lockout and alarm facility to prevent the 'T' classification being exceeded.
NOTE: Non-stabilised designs may lead to operational problems as the over-ride thermostat may prevent the electric trace heating system delivering the required heat output (kWhr) under low ambient temperature conditions. It is therefore essential that the thermal design characteristics of the system are carefully evaluated.
Hazardous areas
- Zone 0 - An area or enclosed space within any flammable or explosive substance, whether as, vapour, or volatile liquid, is continuously present in concentrations within the lower and upper limit flammability.
- Zone 1 - An area in which any flammable or explosive substance, whether gas, vapour or volatile liquid is processed, handled, or stored, and is likely to occur in sufficient quantities to produce a hazard.
- Zone 2 - An area in which any flammable or explosive substance, whether gas, vapour or volatile liquid although processed or stored, is so well under conditions of control that the production or release of an explosive or ignitable concentrate in sufficient quantity to constitute a hazard is only likely under abnormal conditions.
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