During Hazardex Live 2025, experienced hazardous area expert Tal Hopkins, Managing Director at Vital Ex Engineering, will take a look at area classification standards and ask the question: which one should we use?

Area classification is a specialist activity to be undertaken only by competent persons, ideally as part of a team of engineers, operators and process safety professionals, using one or more of the multitude of national and international standards that have been published in this field. In this short presentation, Tal will discuss the key differences and the merits of the three dominant area classification standards used in the UK, namely IGEM/SR/25, EI15 and IEC60079-10-1, and the importance of ensuring due consideration is given when determining the most appropriate standard for the application in question.

About the author:

Tal Hopkins is Technical Director and MD at Vital Ex Engineering Ltd and has over 30 years’ experience delivering turnkey EC&I projects in COMAH establishments and high hazard industries. In addition to undertaking Hazardous Area Classifications and DSEAR Risk Assessments, Tal is a qualified CompEx Peripatetic Instructor and TUV certified Functional Safety Expert.