[MCIC Safety] Summary of Answers to Recent Question

[[MCIC] Jim Kuszaj]

Question:
Do you have Class I Division I or II (flammable 
vapor) areas of electrical classification and if 
so, how do you treat the use of small battery 
powered devices in those areas, such as cell 
phones, flashlights, radios, and the like?

Responses:

1. Our company requires that battery, operated 
devices such as flashlights and radios be UL 
rated for these areas. We do not allow cell 
phones in these areas. The devices must carry 
markings that certify usage in these areas.

2. We constantly remind site personnel to “turn 
off” cellphones, and only allow the use of 
intrinsically safe equipment in such areas.  When 
we have the need to use non-rated equipment we 
will implement the use of our Hot Work procedure as a control measure.

3. They are not allowed unless classified as “intrinsically safe”.

4. All devices that are allowed in the rated area 
that you mention need to be rated for the 
specific rating of the area, see 1910.307, and NFPA 70
..

5. In a previous life, I worked at the largest 
chemical plant in the Northeast.  Most of the 
plant was Class 1 Div 2.  The simple answer is 
you must use electrical devices properly rated 
for the environment; in this case Div 2 or 
better.  We used explosion proof flashlights, 
radios UL rated for Class 1 Div 1 and did not 
allow cell phones into rated areas since they are 
neither UL rated nor intrinsically safe.

6. Based on the hazard, flammable vapor, dust, 
gas, the devices need to fit the rating eg. Intrinsically safe rated devices.

Jim







James M. Kuszaj, Ph.D., J.D.
Director of Communications
Manufacturers and Chemical Industry Council of North Carolina
620 N. West Street, Suite 101
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
Telephone: 919-834-9459
Fax: 919-834-8268
Cell: 919-404-9459
<mailto:jim at mcicnc.org>e<mailto:jim at mcicnc.org>-mail: jim at mcicnc.org  
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