🔻 In industries like oil & gas, manufacturing, and mining, safety is paramount. These environments often contain hazardous materials—such as flammable gases, liquids, or combustible dust—that could ignite with high heat or a spark. To keep workers safe and operations running smoothly, it's essential that all electronic equipment, including mobile devices, meet strict safety standards for hazardous locations (HazLoc).
In this blog, we’ll break down what HazLoc certification means, explore the different classifications, and explain how The Joy Factory's aXtion Extreme cases are designed to meet and exceed these safety requirements.
Understanding the different classifications within hazardous locations is crucial for determining which equipment is safe to use in specific environments. HazLoc classifications are based on the type of hazardous material present and the likelihood of these materials existing in the environment under normal or abnormal operating conditions. Each classification guides the appropriate safety measures and technology required to prevent fires, explosions, or other accidents.
HazLoc environments are classified based on the presence of hazardous materials like gases, vapors, dust, or fibers, and the likelihood of these materials existing under normal or abnormal conditions. Both the Zone and Division systems cover these classifications but approach them slightly differently.
The Division system is primarily used in North America under the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Zone system is employed in Europe and other regions under ATEX (Atmosphères Explosibles) or IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification) regulations. Though both systems classify hazardous environments in similar ways, there are some key differences in how they define risk levels.
Both systems serve the same purpose: ensuring equipment is safe to use in hazardous environments, but it's important to know which system applies to you.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common HazLoc classifications:
Class I hazardous locations are environments where flammable gases or vapors are present in the atmosphere. These are among the most dangerous environments because gases can easily ignite with a spark or even a small amount of static electricity. Industries that typically fall under this category include oil & gas, chemical processing, and refineries.
Examples of Class I areas include:
Class II hazardous locations involve areas where combustible dust is present in the air. These dust particles can form explosive clouds under certain conditions, creating serious risks if ignited. Common industries where combustible dust is present include grain handling, sugar refineries, and woodworking.
Examples of Class II areas include:
Class III hazardous locations are areas where easily ignitable fibers or flyings (small, lightweight particles) are present. These fibers, typically found in industries like textiles or woodworking, may not be airborne in large enough quantities to create explosive clouds, but they can accumulate and pose a fire risk when exposed to ignition sources.
Examples of Class III areas include:
To ensure that devices and equipment used in HazLoc environments meet strict safety standards, they undergo third-party certification by recognized testing organizations like SGS, UL (Underwriters Laboratories), or CSA (Canadian Standards Association). These independent bodies assess the design, performance, and safety of the equipment to verify that it complies with the applicable standards for hazardous locations. These certifications confirm that the equipment can withstand the conditions present in classified environments.
Testing & Evaluation: The product is subjected to rigorous testing, including simulations of extreme conditions such as the manufacturer's specified ambient temperature range, exposure to chemicals, or physical impact.
Documentation & Compliance: The product must comply with standards like NEC (National Electrical Code), ATEX, or IECEx, which define safety guidelines for different types of hazardous environments. These standards vary by region, and third-party certifications help ensure global compliance.
Ongoing Audits: In many cases, certified products are subject to periodic audits and re-certifications to ensure that they continue to meet safety standards over time.
By choosing third-party certified products, companies can trust that their equipment has been thoroughly vetted for safety, significantly reducing the risk of accidents in hazardous environments.
The aXtion Extreme series of cases by The Joy Factory are specifically designed to meet HazLoc safety standards. Here’s how they offer the protection and certification needed for hazardous environments:
In hazardous environments, safety is non-negotiable. Using mobile devices without proper certification can lead to catastrophic accidents, endangering both workers and facilities. HazLoc certification ensures that the technology you’re relying on is built with safety in mind, protecting your team while keeping your operations efficient.
The aXtion Extreme series doesn’t just meet the basic requirements—it exceeds them. By choosing HazLoc-certified mobile solutions like the aXtion Extreme, you’re investing in the safety, reliability, and productivity of your workforce.
Ready to learn more about the aXtion Extreme? Explore how it can transform safety in your HazLoc environment today!