NFPA 499, Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas was updated for 2021 and this update involves a very peculiar reference that has me scratching my head. This reference is also another example of why Safety and Process Safety professionals have come to hate RAGAGEPs and Consensus Standards!
The 2021 edition of NFPA 499 makes reference to UL 121203, Portable Electronic Products Suitable for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, Class I, Zone 2 and Class III, Division 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
You ask, what is so peculiar about that reference? Well with the publishing of the UL standard we now two (2) standards for approving “Portable Electronic Products” for use in HAZLOCs, when the devices are not available as approved by an NRTL:
- UL 121203, Portable Electronic Products Suitable for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, Class I, Zone 2 and Class III, Division 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations.
- ANSI/ISA-12.12.03-2011 Standard for Portable Electronic Products Suitable for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, Class I Zone 2 and Class III, Division 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Ironically, NFPA 497 recognizes the ANSI standard for portable/personal electronic products and NFPA 499 references the UL standard!
Here is the language from the two NFPA standards: (emphasis by me)
NFPA 499…Combustible Dust
5.1.6.4 Portable electronic products (PEPs) meeting the requirements for PEP-1 or PEP-2 of UL 121203, Portable Electronic Products Suitable for Use in Class I and II, Division 2, Class I, Zone 2 and Class III, Division 1 and 2 Hazardous (Classified) Locations, are considered suitable for use in Division 2 and Zone 22 locations.
NFPA 497…Gases and Vapors
Now I am not certain as to why NFPA 499 committee chose the UL standard over the ANSI standard as the ANSI standard has been around longer (since 2002) and is more widely used and it covers Class II HAZLOCs. Now here is what drives me crazy with all of these Consensus/RAGAGEPs… the ANSI standard can also be purchased for $50, whereas the UL standard is $505!! From what I can see, without spending $505, it looks like the two standards are very much in line with each other – heck they even use the same numbering scheme (e.g. 121203) so why we have two (2) standards for approving “Portable/Personal Electronic Products” that are not available with an approval for a HAZLOC is beyond me. And why one is $50 and one is $505 is what drives safety professionals mad!!!!
I have asked NFPA for the reasoning so we shall see!
If you wish to learn more about the practice of “approving” a portable/personal electronic product that is not approved by an NRTL, please see my other articles on this matter: