These are not listed alphabetically, they are listed in importance if you are working on Classified Area Engineering in Canada. First the Canadian Electrical Code. Then API guidelines and NFPA rules which are referred to in the CEC. Then Alberta specific rules and interpretations. IEC comes next as they have a huge amount of supporting information from the rest of the world. Then the various vendors who are always willing to help the end-user select the appropriate products to install in the designated areas as Classified by the Engineer, and finally some certification agencies should you wish to build your own hazardous area equipment and get it certified.
Canadian Electrical Code
CEC C22.1-18 is the current edition of the Canadian electrical code. It isn’t a free document. It can be purchased here: https://store.csagroup.org/ As of this writing, August 20, 2019 the 2018 version (listed above) has been declared in force in Alberta for use effective February 1, 2019. If you are looking for up to date information on new code editions, keep an eye on the Alberta Municipal Affairs website link below.
API
The American petroleum institute publishes best practice guidelines. The Canadian electrical code refers to API as a good source of information and a good guideline for preparing Area Classifications. https://www.api.org/ Of significant interest to Area Classification is API 505.
NFPA
The National Fire Protection Agency https://www.nfpa.org/ publishes a great amount of information about preventing fire and explosion. Their standards are available for free https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Standards/Free-access , just by signing up as a member on their website. Significant product specific information can be found there, particularly in standard NFPA 497 https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=497 A complete listing of available material is available here: https://www.nfpa.org/Codes-and-Standards/All-Codes-and-Standards/List-of-Codes-and-Standards
Alberta Municipal Affairs
They offer a number of clarifications to the Canadian Electrical Code. Or at least Alberta interpretations of the code. https://www.alberta.ca/electrical-codes-and-standards.aspx
Here are some
clarifications for section 18 of the CEC C22.1 – 2018 code in Alberta. http://www.municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/458-CEC-18rev-13-June2018.pdf
Another useful document is the “Code for Electrical Installations at Oil and Gas Facilities” which is specific to Alberta and Saskatchewan, but of interest to those in BC and Manitoba. The Code for Electrical Installations at Oil and Gas Facilities, 5th Edition, 2015: Declared in force on January 1, 2016, in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Adopted in Alberta and Saskatchewan and referenced in BC and Manitoba, this code applies to electrical installations used in the search, transmission, or production of oil, natural gas, and related hydrocarbons. It does not apply to electrical installations used in petroleum refineries; petrochemical facilities; gas distribution systems operated by a gas utility at a pressure of 700 kPa or less for the purpose of distributing gas to consumers in all or part of a municipality; fuel supply systems for equipment. http://www.qp.alberta.ca/570.cfm?frm_isbn=9780779788613&search_by=link
A standard update link on section 19 listed above. http://municipalaffairs.alberta.ca/documents/550-OG-19rev-4-Apr2017.pdf
National Electrical Code – the USA Only
USA follows NPFA 70, the National Electrical Code. The USA is not fully on board with the metric system, or with the Zone system of Area Classification. Watch those state-specific rules, different states have adopted different versions of NPFA 70. Some have adopted none at all! Make sure you know what the particular State rules are when you’re working South of our border.
IEC International Electrotechnical Commission
Stepping outside Canada and the USA will usually have you dealing with IEC standards for area classification. Much of Canada’s rules are patterned after those done in the IEC world. There are some great IEC resources available, particularly when it comes to product testings, classification of specific products and a big selection of IEC approved products for the Zone system of classification. https://www.iec.ch/
VENDOR LINKS – Alphabetical
Appleton
https://www.emerson.com/en-us/automation/appleton
Cooper Crouse-Hinds
http://www.cooperindustries.com/content/public/en/crouse-hinds.html
Killark (Hubbell)
https://www.hubbell.com/killark/en/
Nemalux
Pepperal Fuches
RH Stahl
https://www.rstahl.com/home/usacanada-products-and-systems/nec-and-cec-electrical.html
T&B Cable Connections
EQUIPMENT INSPECTION CERTIFICATION COMPANY LINKS
Care has been taken to prepare this list but it may not be all-inclusive. If your company has been left out, and you provide certified for Canada testing of hazardous locations equipment please drop me an email and I will get you included.
CSA Group / Services & Industries / Hazardous Locations
https://www.csagroup.org/industry/industrial-hazardous-location-equipment/hazardous-locations/
Esafe
https://www.esafieldevaluation.ca/en/hazardous-locations/
Factory Mutual
Intertek
http://www.intertek.com/hazardous-locations/
QAI – Quality Auditing Institute
https://qai.org/hazardous-locations-electrical-safety/
QPS
SGS
TÜV SÜD Canada
UL Canada