Key Takeaways

  • OSHA sets the US baseline. Under 29 CFR 1910.307, electrical equipment in classified locations must be approved for the location's class, group and ignition properties, or be approved as intrinsically safe.

  • US locations are classified by Class and Division. Class I covers gases and vapors, Class II combustible dust, Class III ignitable fibers. Division 1 means ignitable concentrations can exist in normal operation; Division 2 means they are normally prevented or confined. OSHA also allows the Zone system for Class I (IAEI Magazine, 2024).

  • ANSI does not certify devices. Testing and certification is performed by an OSHA-recognized Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) such as UL (OSHA NRTL Program).

  • Three protection types apply. Nonincendive equipment (UL 121201) suits Division 2, intrinsically safe equipment (UL 913) is permitted in any classified location when approved as such, and explosion-proof equipment is used for Division 1.

  • ATEX and IECEx are separate frameworks. ATEX is the EU/EEA legal framework and IECEx is an international certification scheme. Both use Zones, and a certificate under one does not automatically satisfy another.

  • Check each model's certificate. Getac lists different certifications by model, such as ATEX certification for the -EX tablets. Confirm the spec sheet before deployment.

Certifications at a Glance

The table below compares the three frameworks at a glance.
Comparison of ATEX, US Hazardous Locations and IECE×
CertificationRegion / AuthorityApplicable StandardsClassification SystemKey Use Cases
ATEXEU, EEADirective 2014/34/EU, EN 60079 seriesZone (0/1/2 gases, 20/21/22 dust)Explosive atmospheres in Europe
Hazardous LocationsUS (OSHA, UL)UL 121201, ANSI, NFPA 70 (NEC)Class I/II Division 2; Class III Division 1 & 2Hazardous locations in the United States
IECExGlobal (IEC, 35+ countries)IEC 60079 series, harmonizing with national codesZone (0/1/2 gases, 20/21/22 dust)International projects and cross-border licensing

How Hazardous Locations Are Classified in the US

OSHA's rule for classified locations sorts areas by the type of material present and how likely it is to be present.
CLASS
Class I covers flammable gases and vapors, Class II combustible dusts, and Class III ignitable fibers
Division
In Division 1, ignitable concentrations may exist under normal operating conditions or often because of maintenance, repair or equipment failure. In Division 2, hazardous materials are normally confined to closed systems or prevented by ventilation (OSHA 1910.399).
Group & temperature
Equipment is also approved for a group of materials and marked with its class, group and operating temperature (OSHA 1910.307(c)).
Zone alternative
OSHA allows employers to classify Class I locations by Zone (0, 1, 2) instead of Division; Class II and III locations use Divisions under that rule. The NEC addresses divisions in Article 500, gas zones in Article 505 and dust zones in Article 506 (IAEI Magazine, 2024). UL Solutions describes both systems. They are not one-to-one equivalents, so confirm which applies from your site's classification documents.
How this relates to ATEX and IECEx

ATEX is the EU/EEA legal framework (Directive 2014/34/EU; European Commission guidance). IECEx is an international certification scheme. Both classify by Zone and assess devices against the EN/IEC 60079 series. They are separate from US requirements.

Getac

Figure 1: Examples of hazardous area zones for gases, vapors and mist. Zone 0: ignitable gas present continuously or for long periods. Zone 1: likely during normal operation. Zone 2: unlikely, and brief if it occurs.

Getac

Figure 2: Examples of hazardous area zones for combustible dust. Zone 20: dust present continuously or for long periods. Zone 21: dust likely during normal operation. Zone 22: dust unlikely, and brief if it occurs.

How Certification Works

A US certification follows four stages.
1
Classify the area.

The site owner assigns each area a class, division or zone, and group.

2
Design to a protection type.

Manufacturers engineer the device for nonincendive, intrinsically safe or explosion-proof operation (see the table below).

3
Test with an NRTL.

OSHA's NRTL Program recognizes private laboratories to certify products, which then carry the laboratory's registered mark.

4
Mark the device.

Equipment is marked with its class, group and operating temperature range (OSHA 1910.307(c)(2)).

ATEX and IECEx follow a similar path with different bodies: notified bodies assess ATEX products and IECEx Ex Certification Bodies assess IECEx products against EN/IEC 60079 standards, and certified devices carry the "Ex" marking.
Getac

Figure 3: ATEX and IECEx marking diagram] Typical ATEX and IECEx marking. Items marked with an asterisk apply to ATEX only.

Certifications at a Glance

The table below compares the three frameworks at a glance.
Protection Types: Nonincendive, Intrinsically Safe and Explosion-Proof
Protection typeWhere it is usedHow it worksUS standard
NonincendiveClass I/II Division 2; Class IIIEquipment is not capable of igniting a hazardous atmosphere in normal operation.UL 121201
Intrinsically safe (IS)Any classified location when approved as intrinsically safe (OSHA 1910.307(c)(1))Limits electrical and thermal energy so a circuit cannot ignite the atmosphere, including under fault conditions.UL 913
Explosion-proofDivision 1 (OSHA 1910.307(f))An enclosure contains an internal ignition and prevents it from spreading to the surrounding atmosphere.Varies by product

Where Certified Devices Are Used

Classification is set by a site hazard assessment, so the examples below are illustrative.
Example Industries, Hazards, and Typical Classifications
IndustryExample hazardsTypical classification
Oil and gasFlammable gases and vapors at wellheads, compressor stations, refineriesClass I, Division 1 or 2 (Zone 0 to 2)
Chemical and pharmaceuticalSolvent vapors in processing and laboratory areasClass I, Division 1 or 2 (Zone 0 to 2)
Utilities and energyGas distribution equipment, meters and valvesOften Class I, Division 2 (Zone 2)
MiningMethane and coal dustSet by the applicable mining regulator and site assessment
Agriculture and grain handlingCombustible dust near silos and conveyorsClass II, Division 1 or 2 (Zone 20 to 22)
Fuel storage and transportFuel vapors at depots and loading areasClass I, Division 1 or 2

Illustrative scenario: an operator with sites in Texas and Norway needs devices that meet different frameworks in each place. US Division 2 areas call for equipment approved for the location, typically through NRTL certification, while sites in the EEA fall under ATEX. Selecting models with the certifications each site requires, and a common platform where the certificates allow it, can reduce training and device management overhead.

Note: ATEX certification applies in the EU and does not apply to the US market. In the United States, hazardous location equipment is certified to ANSI/UL standards such as UL 121201. Getac lists the certifications for each model on its product pages.

Getac in Practice

Getac customers in hazardous environments have shared these results from their deployments.

TRANSOCEAN, OFFSHORE DRILLING

25%
faster muster
times

Transocean deployed the F110 for emergency procedures and achieved 25% faster muster times than its previous method (Getac oil and gas page).

INFOMARINE, MARITIME DIAGNOSTICS, POLAND

OVER
50%
faster performance

InfoMarine, a Polish maritime diagnostics company, reports that its ATEX certified Getac tablet is over 50% faster than its previous measurement device, and that the ATEX version has let it carry out diagnostics in hazardous areas previously excluded from routine inspections (Getac video).

Procurement Checklist

Frequently Asked Questions

What does intrinsically safe (IS) mean in a US hazardous location?

Intrinsically safe equipment is designed so its circuits cannot release enough electrical or thermal energy to ignite a hazardous atmosphere, even under fault conditions. In the US, IS apparatus is commonly evaluated to UL 913. OSHA permits equipment and wiring approved as intrinsically safe in any hazardous (classified) location (OSHA 1910.307(c)(1)). IS is one protection type alongside nonincendive and explosion-proof designs. Confirm the classification on each device's certificate and check the spec sheet for the specific model.

What is the difference between Class I Division 2 and Zone 2?

Class I Division 2 describes locations where ignitable gases or vapors are normally confined or prevented by ventilation (OSHA 1910.399). Zone 2 is the zone-system counterpart for gases. OSHA allows employers to classify Class I locations by Zone as an alternative to Division (1910.307). The two systems are not one-to-one equivalents, so rely on your site's classification documents.

Is ANSI a hazardous location certification?

No. ANSI oversees the development of US standards and does not certify devices. Certification is performed by an OSHA-recognized NRTL such as UL (OSHA NRTL Program), which tests products to standards such as UL 121201 and UL 913.

Does OSHA require certified equipment in hazardous locations?

OSHA 1910.307 requires electrical equipment in classified locations to be approved for the class, group and ignition properties of the location, or approved as intrinsically safe (OSHA 1910.307(c)). Equipment must also be marked with its class, group and operating temperature. Your insurer or local authority may add further requirements.

Can I use an ATEX or IECEx certified device at a US site?

ATEX and IECEx are separate from US requirements. OSHA requires equipment to be approved for the classified location, which is typically shown through NRTL certification. Confirm with the vendor and your authority having jurisdiction whether a specific ATEX or IECEx certificate is accepted at your site. Where a site spans the US and Europe, look for models certified to each framework required.

How do I verify a device's certification?

Check the certification label for the class, group and operating temperature marking (OSHA 1910.307(c)(2)), then request the certificate and technical file from the vendor. Match the certified classification to your site's classification. Getac directs buyers to each product's spec sheet for model-specific certifications (Getac).

Can I use a consumer tablet in a rugged case in a classified location?

A rugged case addresses drops and ingress, not hazardous location certification. Equipment used in a classified location must be approved for that location or approved as intrinsically safe (OSHA 1910.307(c)). A device without the applicable certification should not be used in a classified area.

Can certified devices be repaired or modified?

Repairs, accessories and modifications can affect a device's certification. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, use approved parts and service providers, and ask the manufacturer before changing a certified configuration.