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GB 50058 specifies that the area surrounding open-flame equipment is considered a non-explosive hazard zone; in accordance with the relevant provisions of SH 3038, this distance is 1.5 meters, meaning that the area within 1.5 meters around the open-flame equipment is a non-explosive hazard zone. According to the interpretation of GB 50058, since there is negative pressure inside the furnace, no explosive hazard zone is formed around the equipment. In my opinion, this is because the gas flow around the equipment moves towards the furnace, so combustible gases do not create an explosive environment; instead, they enter the furnace to burn there. So, what’s confusing is this: if there is a source of release in the normal sense within 1.5 meters of an open-flame device, then does that source still constitute an explosive hazard area? There are currently two interpretations: one is that the source of release in its conventional sense does not need to be classified as an area with explosion hazards, because the combustible gas that leaks out, due to the negative pressure inside the furnace, will enter the furnace and cannot accumulate to reach the explosive limit. Another interpretation is that this source of release still requires to be classified as a hazardous area for explosions; however, the overlapping area within 1.5 meters around the open-flame equipment is considered a non-hazardous area for explosions, while the non-overlapping areas remain hazardous areas for explosions.
Generally, the furnace area is classified as a non-explosion zone in accordance with GB standards.
I would like to ask for your help – could you please point me to the specific clause in SH3038 regarding 1.5m? Thank you!
I would like to ask for your help – could you please point me to the specific clause in SH3038 regarding 1.5m? Thank you!
It was specified in the old standards; the new standards no longer mention 1.5m. This also applies to areas near open-flame equipment. For details, see SH/T3038-2017 5.3.4 c)