4.2 Area classification

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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.285(86) – Interim Guidelines on Safety for Natural Gas-Fuelled Engine Installations in Ships – (Adopted on 1 June 2009) - Annex – Interim Guidelines on Safety for Natural Gas-fuelled Engine Installations in Ships - Chapter 4 – Electrical Systems - 4.2 Area classification

4.2 Area classification

4.2.1 General

4.2.1.1 Area classification is a method of analysing and classifying the areas where explosive gas atmospheres may occur. The object of the classification is to allow the selection of electrical apparatus able to be operated safely in these areas.

4.2.1.2 In order to facilitate the selection of appropriate electrical apparatus and the design of suitable electrical installations, hazardous areas are divided into zones 0, 1 and 2^footnote. See also 4.3 below.

4.2.1.3 Area classification of a space may be dependent on ventilation^footnote.

4.2.1.4 A space with opening to an adjacent hazardous area on open deck, may be made into a less hazardous or non-hazardous space, by means of overpressure. Requirements to such pressurization are given in 2.10.

4.2.1.5 Ventilation ducts should have the same area classification as the ventilated space.

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