At Hazardex Live 2026, Dr. Rhiannon Chalmers-Brown, Managing Consultant at ERM, will be presenting on methane to mixtures and shaping hazardous area classification in a low-carbon future.
The UK’s ambition to decarbonise energy systems has accelerated interest in adding hydrogen into the natural gas grid, with proposals and trials to include up to 20% hydrogen by volume. While this transition offers significant environmental benefits, it introduces new considerations for hazardous area classification at gas terminal, compressor and distribution sites. Hydrogen’s physical properties including low ignition energy and wide flammability range demand a reassessment of established hazardous area classification methodologies to ensure continued safety and compliance.
The integration of hydrogen and its impact on hazardous area classification under current standards, focusing on IGEM/SR/25 and BS EN 60079-10-1, will be explored. IGEM/SR/25 has long provided a pragmatic framework for gas industry applications, but its adaptation for the inclusion of hydrogen to the grid is still evolving. BS EN 60079-10-1 offers a calculation-based approach that can provide more precise zoning, particularly when dealing with gas mixtures of differing characteristics. The advantages of BS EN 60079-10-1 will be compared with the simplicity and sector familiarity of IGEM/SR/25, highlighting where each method excels and where challenges may arise.
The implications for future updates to hazardous area classification guidance, including potential revisions to IGEM/SR/25 to accommodate hydrogen blends will be considered. Key challenges, such as data availability, consistency across sites, and the need for industry-wide alignment will also be addressed. Ultimately, the aim is to provide a positive outlook on how robust engineering principles and collaborative standard development can support a safe and efficient transition to hydrogen-enriched gas networks.
Attendees will gain insight into the technical and regulatory considerations shaping hazardous area classification in a low-carbon future, equipping them to navigate the opportunities and challenges presented by hydrogen integration.
About the author: Dr. Rhiannon Chalmers-Brown is a technical safety consultant specializing in process safety, fire and explosion prevention, ATEX and hazardous area classification across a range of hazardous industries. She has been involved in several hydrogen pilot projects and has experience in emergency response, incident control and management for high hazard incidents involving chemicals.