(Adapted from:D.T. Hall:Practical Marine Electrical Knowledge)

Electrical equipment in the hazardous areas of oil/gas carriers and other ships carrying potentially dangerous cargo will be surveyed during the normal engine survey (every four years) and during docking and annual surveys. Consequently, the hazardous area electrical equipment is effectively surveyed every year.

The most common form of hazardous area electrical equipment is the flameproof enclosure type (marked Exd on the equipment certification label). This type of enclosure will be found on light fittings, motors, starters, push-buttons and alarm bells within the hazardous zones.

The flameproof enclosure will be inspected for surface cleanliness (which affects the surface temperature), corrosion and secure mountings. On lighting fittings the cement that bonds the lamp glass to its frame must be closely inspected for cracks or indentations. All bolts must be in place, evenly torqued-up and of the correct type.

The edges of flamepath flanged joints must not be painted over or impeded in any way. Exposed flameproof equipment on deck must be adjudged weatherproof with the correct (approved) gaskets or “O” rings in place.