IEH Process Safety Tool
Hazardous Area Classification Readiness Tool
A practical tool to help workplaces prepare for hazardous area classification by organising information on flammable gases, vapours, mists, combustible dusts, sources of release, ventilation, housekeeping and existing safeguards, with a preliminary zone indication for competent HAC review.
Prepare a hazardous area classification record
Complete the facility details, material information, ventilation screening and source-of-release register. The tool will generate a structured readiness report for competent review.
Facility and Study Details
Record the area, classification pathway and available information for competent HAC review.
Substance and Material Information
Capture available data for flammable gases, vapours, mists and combustible dusts. Unknown values should be treated as information gaps.
Ventilation, Dilution and Site Screening
Answer Yes, No or Unknown. The preliminary flag is conservative and highlights information gaps; it is not a final zone classification.
Preliminary HAC concern score
Complete the screening checklist to generate a preliminary HAC concern flag.
Important interpretation
This tool can suggest a preliminary zone indication based mainly on hazard type and release grade. It does not determine final zone extent, ventilation effectiveness, dilution degree or hazardous area drawing boundaries.
Source of Release Register
Add each release source or dust release point that should be reviewed during the HAC study.
The report tables are wide. Swipe horizontally to view the full preview on smaller screens.
Hazardous Area Classification Readiness Report
Prepared as a preliminary screening, zone indication and document preparation aid for competent IEC 60079-10-1 / IEC 60079-10-2 review.
| Operating mode | — |
|---|---|
| Process / activity description | — |
| Available drawings / documents | — |
| Item | Information recorded | Item | Information recorded |
|---|
| No. | Screening question | Answer | Practical interpretation |
|---|
| No. | Process step / equipment | Hazard type | Substance / material | Operation | Release source | Release grade | Frequency / duration | Indoor / outdoor | Ventilation / dilution | Preliminary zone indication | Controls / remarks |
|---|
What this tool helps you organise
Hazardous area classification depends on source of release, material properties, ventilation, dilution, enclosure, dispersion conditions and competent judgement.
Flammable gas, vapour and mist hazards
Organise substance data such as flash point, boiling point, LEL / UEL, vapour density, gas group, temperature class and operating conditions for IEC 60079-10-1 review.
Combustible dust hazards
Record dust type, particle size, explosibility data, ignition temperatures, dust group, housekeeping and dust layer conditions for IEC 60079-10-2 review.
Sources of release
Identify vents, seals, flanges, sample points, transfer points, filling points, open handling, dust collectors, ducts and abnormal releases.
Ventilation and dilution
Capture indoor or outdoor conditions, natural or mechanical ventilation, local extraction, room enclosure, congestion, pits, low points and airflow limitations.
Equipment suitability awareness
Use the readiness record to support later review of electrical and non-electrical equipment suitability, ignition source controls and hazardous area drawings.
Information gaps
Highlight missing SDS data, material properties, release details, ventilation information, drawings and testing data before the formal HAC study.
Suggested HAC preparation workflow
Use this sequence to prepare documents, site observations and discussion points before a formal hazardous area classification study.
Collect information
Compile SDS, material data, process descriptions, layouts, P&IDs, ventilation drawings, equipment information and existing hazardous area drawings.
Identify materials
Confirm flammable gases, vapours, mists, combustible dusts and relevant properties required for the applicable IEC 60079 classification pathway.
Review release sources
List potential continuous, primary, secondary and abnormal sources of release, including frequency, duration and operating conditions.
Assess ventilation
Review natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, local extraction, dilution, congestion, pits, trenches, room enclosure and dispersion conditions.
Prepare drawings
Use site information and competent review to support hazardous area drawings showing zone type, extent and relevant notes.
Review controls
Check ignition source control, equipment suitability, maintenance, housekeeping, permit-to-work controls and inspection requirements.
Reference standards
This readiness tool is developed around the information structure commonly needed for hazardous area classification under IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC 60079-10-2.
IEC 60079-10-1
Used for classification of areas where flammable gas, vapour or mist hazards may arise. Final classification requires competent assessment of release sources, ventilation, dilution, process conditions and zone extent.
IEC 60079-10-2
Used for classification of areas where explosive dust atmospheres and combustible dust layers may be present. Final classification requires assessment of dust release, layers, housekeeping, dispersion, ignition risks and zone extent.
Competent site-specific review
The generated readiness report should be reviewed with site drawings, physical walkthrough findings, engineering judgement, company procedures and applicable legal or insurer requirements.
Professional limitation note
This tool is for preliminary screening, zone indication, document preparation and educational support. It does not replace a competent hazardous area classification study, IEC 60079-10-1 assessment, IEC 60079-10-2 assessment, engineering calculation, site verification, hazardous area drawing preparation, equipment selection review, legal compliance duties, company-specific procedures or professional judgement.
Need help with hazardous area classification?
IEH provides hazardous area classification consultancy support for flammable gases, vapours, mists and combustible dusts, including source-of-release review, ventilation and dilution assessment, site walkthroughs, hazardous area drawings, equipment suitability review and practical risk control recommendations.