This part of IEC 60079 provides guidance on classification of gases and vapours. It describes a test method intended for the measurement of the maximum experimental safe gaps (MESG) for gas- or vapour-air mixtures under normal conditions of temperature1 and pressure so as to permit the selection of an appropriate group of equipment. The method does not take into account the possible effects of obstacles on the safe gaps². This standard describes also a test method intended for use in the determination of the auto-ignition temperature of a chemically pure vapour or gas in air at atmospheric pressure.

The tabulated values of chemical and engineering properties of substances are provided to assist engineers in their selection of equipment to be used in hazardous areas. It is hoped to publish further data from time to time, as the results of tests made in several countries become available.

The scope of these data has been selected with particular reference to the use of equipment in hazardous areas, and notice has been taken of standard measurement methods.

NOTE 1 The data in this standard have been taken from a number of references which are given in the bibliography.

NOTE 2 Some variations in the data may appear when references are compared, but usually the discrepancy is sufficiently small to be of no importance in the selection of equipment.

² The design of the test apparatus for safe gap determination, other than that used for selecting the appropriate group of enclosure for a particular gas, may need to be different to the one described in this standard. For example, the volume of the enclosure, flange width, gas concentrations and the distance between the flanges and any external wall or obstruction may have to be varied. As the design depends on the particular investigation which is to be undertaken, it is impracticable to recommend specific design requirements, but for most applications the general principles and precautions indicated in the clauses of this standard will still apply.