Adequate Ventilation in an Enclosure

American (NFPA/API) and European (IP-15) design concepts differ in many occasions. One such occasion is the hazardous area classification of an enclosure containing a hydrocarbon handling equipment and its dilution ventilation requirements. Although the conceptualisation of the hydrocarbon leakage in the enclosure differs in American and European codes - ultimately the dilution ventilation air amount calculation results apparently converges in both systems. Good to know the finer details in such issues - the similarities and differences. A must read for the design safety engineers.