The use of vaportight barriers as a basis for hazardous area classification design

This paper explores the use of vaportight barriers as basis for classifying hazardous locations. It reviews the industry accepted definition of "vaportight" in accordance with standards and recommended practices and provides considerations for the specification, design and construction of a vapor barriers. It also provides a test criteria and methods for verifying the integrity of a vapor barrier and provides guidance on installing doors, conduit, cables and piping penetrations through vapor barriers. A case example is provided to illustrate implementation of the concepts covered.