Way back in February 2016 I introduced many of you to ISA-RP12.12.03, Standard for Portable Electronic Products Suitable for Use in Class I and II, Division 2 for the first time and I received many e-mails, texts, and phone calls about those 2016 posts. Although the posts were speaking to smaller electronic devices, most notably “fitness bands”, the concept rubbed a lot of folks wrong. The idea that a facility could conduct its own tests on portable electronic products (PEPs) and “certify” them internally as fit for service within a HAZLOC was hard to wrap our heads around. But that was way back in 2016! In 2017 things changed dramatically for this standard and its application when…
NFPA recognized ISA-RP12.12.03 in their updated 2017 edition of NFPA 497: Recommended Practice for the Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas, 2017 Edition – Chapter 5 Classification of Class I (Combustible Material) Areas.
5.1.4.3 Portable electronic products (PEPs) meeting the requirements for PEP-1 or PEP-2 of ISA-RP12.12.03, 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, are considered suitable for use in Division 2 and Zone 2 locations.
Although this ISA Recommended Practice had been around since 2002, it was not well known as the concept was indeed hard to wrap our heads around. After all, anyone who had grown up working in/around hazardous locations we had come to learn about 3rd party certifications for our electrical devices. This standard came about because a lot of devices, especially medical devices, can not be bought with these certifications.
But now that NFPA has recognized ISA-RP12.12.03 maybe we can come to grips with its use within our facilities.
PLEASE NOTE: ISA-RP12.12.03 applies ONLY to “body-worn” and “hand-held” portable electronic products for use in HAZLOCs which are NOT available listed or labeled for use in HAZLOCs. This means that if there is a product that has a certification, such as a flashlight, then we MUST USE those flashlights that carry the 3rd Party NRTL certifications.