Abstract
It is very important to classify explosion hazardous area (EHA) suitably and to use proper explosion-proof electric installations for facilities using flammable gases and liquids. In the past, various examples in the Notification of Ministry of Employment and Labor were referred to in classifying EHA. But, at present, many companies use the hypothetical volume in Korean Standards (KS). This study reviews the validity of EHA classification based on the hypothetical volume by comparing the calculated radii of EHA with those obtained by a consequence analysis program called PHAST and a mathematical approach in British Standards (BS). The radii of EHA by the hypothetical volume were found to be slightly larger than those by the other two methods. This was attributed to rather conservative uses of a safety factor(k) and a correction factor(f) for availability of ventilation in calculating the hypothetical volume. Since the differences are not so conspicuous, however, it is concluded that the hypothetical volume in KS is a valid means for the classification of EHA. This study also presents a table of the radii of EHA for easy reference by small-scale companies using city gas, C3-LPG and flammable liquid(toluene), respectively. The table consists of 25 leakage scenarios corresponding to combinations of 5 pipe(nozzle) sizes and 5 operating conditions for each flammable gas and liquid.