Basics of Purging and Pressurizing Systems

Dec 1, 2000James Stallcup and William G. Lawrence | Electrical Construction and Maintenance

http://ecmweb.com/code-basics/basics-purging-and-pressurizing-systems
Since most electrical equipment located in control rooms is not approved for use in Class I locations, it's
important to know how you can use air purging and pressurizing to maintain a nonflammable atmosphere.

Refineries and similar facilities often have electrical control equipment and
instrumentation located in rooms that are within or near Class I hazardous
locations. If you install a purging and pressurizing system in these rooms, the
NEC allows you to install general-purpose equipment (intended for use in an
unclassified location) in such locations.
FPN 1 to Sec. 500-4(d) in the NEC suggests you can reduce, limit, or even
eliminate hazards by adequate positive-pressure ventilation from a source of
clear air, coupled with effective safeguards against ventilation failure. FPN 2
to Sec. 500-4(d) in the NEC refers to NFPA 496-1998 (Purged and
Pressurized Enclosures for Electrical Equipment) for requirements pertaining
to the design of a purged and pressurized room.
Requirements included in Chapter 5, NFPA 496, provide guidelines for
preventing the entry of flammable vapors or gases into the room housing
electrical-related equipment.
Factors to consider (NFPA 496, Sec. 5-3)
As a designer or installer, you must consider many factors in the design and
layout of the control room. First, the number of people in the room is
important when calculating the volume of air required as well as the access
requirements. An appendix in NFPA 496 states a control room located in a
hazardous (classified) location should have as few doors as possible so you
can maintain positive pressure within the room - while maintaining the need
for egress of personnel per Appendix A-5-4.1.
A control room typically contains data processing, communications, HVAC,
lighting, power, and electrical equipment, as well as process-control
instruments and panels. It's the designer and installer's job to understand the
varied needs for protection from flammable atmospheres. The volume of air
introduced must satisfy the need for cooling the electrical equipment and
preventing heating problems.

Location, location, location (NFPA 496, Secs. 5-3.1(c) and 5-3.2)

You must also consider the location of the control room in relation to the
source of flammable gases or vapors. Pay particular attention to the direction
of the prevailing wind. One side of the room may face a location generally free
from trace amounts of flammable vapors or gases, or the height of the fan
intake may be sufficient to provide a clean source of air. If you need ducting to
reach an uncontaminated source, it must be noncombustible material, free of
leaks, and protected against damage or corrosion.
Positive pressure air systems (NFPA 496, Sec. 5-4.1)
You must maintain positive pressure of at least 0.1 in. of water column (25
Pascals) in the control room with all openings closed. Sensitive pressure
switches and other devices are available to measure these low values. The
Code permits this minimum air pressure to drop to a lower level when doors
and other apertures remain open - providing you maintain a minimum air
velocity of 60 ft/min. (0.3 m/sec) through the openings.
Type X equipment (NFPA 496, Sec. 5-4.4)
If you locate a control room in a Class I, Division 1 (or Zone 1) location,
containing equipment that can only function safely in an unclassified location,
you must use a Type X purging system. Type X purging systems reduce the
hazards from Division I (or Zone 1) to unclassified. You must cut power off
immediately when the positive-pressure air system fails. You also must detect
failure of the system at the discharge end of the fan.
The Code does not consider an electrical interlock that indicates when the
pressurizing fan motor is running to be reliable for this purpose because of
the possibility of a broken belt or other equipment failure. The sensing device
must start an audible or visual alarm located in a constantly attended
position. (See exception to Sec. 5-4.4 for a variance pertaining to this rule.)
You must take the electrical power circuit for the positive-pressure air system
equipment off ahead of any service disconnects feeding the control room. The
airflow-monitoring switch, electrical disconnect, and motor for the air system
fan must be suitable for the area in question (as it would be classified if there
was no positive ventilation system). This provision allows for the repressurization of the room after the air system fails.
One method to determine the degree of safety for such a situation involves the
use of combustible gas detectors. You can use these detectors to be sure the
atmosphere around the electrical equipment is nonflammable. As an

alternative, you could also employ a purge timer to prevent reapplying power
too soon after the pressurizing air system restarts. The time period should be
sufficient to allow at least four air changes within the room.
Type Y and Z equipment (NFPA 496, Sec. 5-4.5)
Type Y purging systems reduce the classification within a room from Division
1 (or Zone 1) to Division 2 (or Zone 2). Type Z purging systems reduce the
classification from Division 2 (Zone 2) to unclassified. If the control room
location and/or equipment is suitable for these type of purges, then it's not
necessary to de-energize the power supply circuit to the control room
equipment immediately upon a positive pressure air system failure. However,
for safety's sake, you should de-energize that equipment as soon as possible
after you detect air failure, or that some means of monitoring the atmosphere
within the room be started.
This article covers some of the general rules you must be familiar with when
working in hazardous locations. For more detailed information, refer to
specific requirements outlined in NFPA 496.