EI Model code of safe practice Part 15: Area classification for installations handling flammable fluids

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EI Model code of safe practice Part 15: Area classification code for installations handling flammable fluids (commonly known as EI 15) is recognised internationally as being the de-facto guidance for calculating hazardous zone areas in the petroleum industry. It is essential for HSE managers, design, process and maintenance engineers, and all those involved in the hazardous area classification of installations handling flammable fluids.

It provides a demonstrable methodology for determining hazard radii, and is applicable to all installations handling flammable fluids. It gives guidance on the classification of regions around equipment handling or storing flammable fluids, and provides a basis for both the correct selection of fixed electrical equipment and the location of other fixed sources of ignition in those areas.

This new (4th) edition has been significantly updated from the 3rd edition to include:

  • Further details on Hazard Radii from liquid pool spills
  • Hazard Radii for some LNG releases
  • More detail on the risk based approach methodology and emphasis on the point source approach.
  • Revised equivalent hole sizes for frequency bands (LEVEL I - III) and expanded guidance on ventilation and releases within enclosed areas, based on evidential data from the UK HSE.
  • Amended, or more detailed, definitions of terms such as adequate ventilation, grades of release and limits of applicability.

The revised information provided in EI 15 may therefore lead to a reduction in the size of some zone areas, enabling potential cost savings to operators and contractors.

Whilst EI 15 provides guidance on applying a risk based approach for specifying hazardous areas, the full methodology is outlined in a separate publication; A risk-based approach to hazardous area classification.

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