Class 1 Div 2 Exit Signs: We Explain What You Need to Know

Illuminated exit signs are important for the safety of employees and customers. However, the signs themselves need to be safe.  

Class 1 Div 2 exit signs are used in areas that contain substances that are not necessarily hazardous until they interact with another substance or occurrence. 

What Are Class 1 Div 2 Exit Signs?

The best way to understand what class 1 div 2 exit signs are is to look at the comparison between each class and division. The following is a brief explanation of each class.

The Classes of Hazardous Locations and Substances

Class 1 hazardous locations are those that contain highly inflammable liquid, gases, or vapors. These include gasoline storage areas, spray finishing areas, dry cleaning plants, petroleum refineries, and fuel servicing areas.

The Class 1 exit signs are further separated into two sub-divisions:

• Division 1– This is an area where the explosive liquids, vapors, and gases are already present and exist within the normal, everyday environment.
• Division 2– This is an area where the liquids, gases, or vapors only become flammable during certain circumstances.

Class 2 Hazardous Locations and Substances

Class 2 locations are those that contain combustible dusts that have the potential to ignite. This includes flour and feed mills, coal plants, metal powder manufacturers, and grain elevators.

Class 2 hazardous locations are also separated into two sub-divisions:

• Division 1– The combustible dusts are already present.
• Division 2 – The combustible dusts become flammable with the existence of other substances or certain conditions.

Class 3 Hazardous Locations and Substances

Finally, class 3 hazardous locations are those where fibers are stored that have the potential to become inflammable. These locations include cotton seed mills, textile mills, sawdust plants, and cotton gins.

These locations are also divided into two sub-divisions, just as class 1 and class 2 are.

All of these classes must meet or exceed the UL 924, NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, N.E.C. and I.C.C. standards safety standards. These standards are explained later in the post.

The Safety Requirements for Hazardous Location Exit Signs

Explosion proof exit signs are needed in areas where there is a chance of substances exploding or igniting. These signs need to be able to withstand an explosion so that people are able to get out.

Harsh environment exit signs need to be robust enough that they can survive long term exposure to hazardous substances.

Code Requirements That Classes Must Meet

Hazard location exit signs must be highly visible and able to function under extreme circumstances. This means there are certain requirement they must meet.

• NFPA 101 or Life Safety Code– This requirement addresses the effects of fire and related hazards in construction. It covers existing buildings and structures as well as new buildings.
• UL924 Code– This is the Underwriter’s Laboratories test standard for exit signs, emergency lights, and combinations of the two. It covers reliability, functionality, and visibility standards.
• International Code Council– This is the non-profit organization that helps ensures the engineering safety of buildings and equipment. To be certified by the ICC, a structure must be affordable, resilient, and sustainable.

The Technical Differences Between Class 1 Div 1 and Class 1 Div 2 Exit Signs

The main difference between div 1 and div 2 exit signs in class 1 is largely due to how they are designed. Div 2 exits signs do not need to be as tightly sealed as division 1 as their risk of escaping gases and vapors is not present 100% of the time.

Contact our knowledgeable staff at Exit sign Warehouse if you have any further questions regarding Class 1 div 1 or div 2 exit signs.  888-953-3948

 

Keywords:  Class 1 Div 2 Exit Signs, Hazardous location exit signs, harsh environment exit signs, explosion proof exit signs, class 1 div 2 emergency lights