Explosion Proof Fans and Blowers

Explosion proof fans or hazardous location fans and blowers are an essential part of a warehouse, plant, mill, spray booth, tank, confined space or any other area where ignitable fumes, gases or dust may be present. Withing the explosion proof ventilation category we carry Wall Exhaust Fans, Roof Exhaust Fans, Filtered Exhaust Fans, Filtered Supply Fans, Blowers, Duct Inline Exhaust Fans, Air Circulators Fans, Confined Space Ventilators & Portable Cooling Fans.

We carry the largest collection of commercial and industrial explosion proof fans and blowers for hazardous locations in the industry. We offer brands such as Canarm Ltd., TPI Corp., Allegro Industries, National Fan Co., Triangle Engineering, Airmaster Fan, Schaefer Ventilation, and Soler & Palau

What determines if an area has a Hazardous Location classification?  Any area that poses a risk for a fire or an explosion, due to the gases, vapors, combustible dust, flammable liquids or ignitable fibers in the atmosphere carries the classification of a Hazardous Location. Any time electrical equipment is used in this type of an area, there runs the risk of a fire or explosion occurring. Here in the United States we use what is called the Class & Division system for classifying a hazardous area. The Class/Division system is based on Class, Division and Group. Also, AMCA (Air Movement and Control Association) rates fans and blowers by spark resistance. They will either use an "A" rating (Type A), "B" rating (Type B), or "C" rating (Type C).

The AMCA “A” spark resistant construction is the highest degree of spark resistance. Air-stream parts  are constructed out of non-ferrous materials. Typically aluminum is the non-ferrous material used here. 

The AMCA “B” spark resistant construction is less protection that AMCA “A” construction, AMCA “B” construction consists of a non-ferrous wheel or bladed and non -ferrous rubbing plate around the hole through which the shaft passes.

The AMCA “C” spark resistant construction is the lowest degree of spark resistance. Utilizes only a non-ferrous rubbing plate that is typically constructed of aluminum but can be constructed out of the aforementioned alternative materials when appropriate.

This section is regarding Classifications, Divisions and Groups:

1. Class determines the nature of the hazardous material properties in the given atmosphere. a) Class I - Areas where flammable gases, fumes or vapors are present b) Class II - Areas where combustible dusts are present c) Class III - Areas where ignitable fiber particulates are present.  Class does not determine whether or not there are sufficient enough amounts of any of these above materials in the atmosphere to cause an ignition or explosion.

2. Division determines the probability of the hazardous material, in question, producing  an explosive or ignitable mixture based on its presence in the atmosphere. a) Division 1 - Indicates that there is a high probability that the hazardous materials in a given area are susceptible to ignition or explosion due to its concentration in the atmosphere. b) Division 2 - Indicates that there is a low probability the the hazardous materials in a given area are susceptible to ignition or explosion due to its abnormal or short term presence in the atmosphere.

3. Group is the determination of the type of hazardous material present in the surround atmosphere. Groups A, B, C and D are referring to gases (Class I only), whilte Groups E, F and G are referring to dust particulates, fibers and flyings (Class II or III).  a) Group A - Indicates acetylene in the atmosphere.  b) Group B - Indicates flammable gases, liquid vapors or liquid vapor with an MESG of less than 0.45mm. Gases include hydrogen, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and acrolein.  c) Group C - Indicates flammable gases, liquid vapors or liquid vapor with an MESG of greater than 0.45mm, but less than 0.75 mm. Gases include ethyl ether, ethylene, acetaldehyde and cyclopropane.  d) Group D - Indicates flammable gases, liquid vapors or liquid vapor with an MESG of greater than 0.75 mm. Gases include acetone, ammonia, benzene, butane, ethanol, gasoline, methane, natural gas, naphtha and propane.  e) Group E - indicates combustible metal dusts, such as aluminum, magnesium are present in the atmosphere.  f) Group F - indicates combustible carbonaceous dusts with at least 8% trapped volatiles like; carbon black, coal, or coke dust in the atmosphere.  g) Group G - indicates combustible dusts that are not included in Groups E or F. Dusts such as flour, starch, grain, wood, plastic, and chemical are present in the atmosphere.