2/1/2019 The National Fire Codes Subscription Service
Copyright by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). NFPA 497 is licensed,
by agreement for individual use. No other reproduction or transmission in any
form permitted without written permission of NFPA. For inquires or to report
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[email protected].
1.1 Scope.
1.1.1
This recommended practice applies to those locations where flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, or combustible liquids
are processed or handled; and where their release into the atmosphere could result in their ignition by electrical systems or
equipment.
1.1.2
This recommended practice provides information on specific flammable gases and vapors, flammable liquids, and combustible
liquids whose relevant combustion properties have been sufficiently identified to allow their classification into the groups established
by NFPA 70 (NEC), for proper selection of electrical equipment in hazardous (classified) locations. The tables of selected
combustible materials contained in this document are not intended to be allinclusive.
1.1.3
This recommended practice applies to chemical process areas. As used in this document, a chemical process area could be a large,
integrated chemical process plant or it could be a part of such a plant. It could be a part of a manufacturing facility where flammable
gases or vapors, flammable liquids, or combustible liquids are produced or used in chemical reactions, or are handled or used in
certain unit operations such as mixing, filtration, coating, spraying, and distillation.
1.1.4
This recommended practice does not apply to situations that could involve catastrophic failure of or catastrophic discharge from
process vessels, pipelines, tanks, or systems.
1.1.5
This recommended practice does not address the unique hazards associated with explosives, pyrotechnics, blasting agents,
pyrophoric materials, or oxygenenriched atmospheres that might be present.
1.2 Purpose.
The purpose of this recommended practice is to provide the user with a basic understanding of the parameters that determine the
degree and the extent of the hazardous (classified) location. This recommended practice also provides the user with examples of the
applications of these parameters.
1.2.1
Information is provided on specific flammable gases and vapors, flammable liquids, and combustible liquids, whose relevant
properties determine their classification into groups. This will assist in the selection of special electrical equipment for hazardous
(classified) locations where such electrical equipment is required.
1.2.2
This recommended practice is intended as a guideline and should be applied with sound engineering judgment. Where all factors
are properly evaluated, a consistent area classification scheme can be developed.
1.3 Relationship to NFPA Codes and Standards.
This recommended practice is not intended to supersede or conflict with NFPA 30, NFPA 33, NFPA 34, NFPA 35, NFPA 36, NFPA 45,
NFPA 55, NFPA 58, and NFPA 59A.
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