AdON Group was engaged to upgrade a Caterpillar C15 engine to meet Class I, Division 2 (Class 1 Div 2) hazardous area standards.
In environments where hydrocarbons with low flashpoints are present, even when securely contained, the possibility of accidental release always exists. When combustible equipment operates in such areas—particularly during simultaneous operations (SIMOPS) involving hot work—the risk of ignition can increase significantly if proper safeguards are not in place.
Over time, OEM engine systems can deteriorate, increasing the potential for hazardous events such as:
Engine runaway
Electrical arcing
Excessive surface temperatures
Uncontrolled heat generation
In hydrocarbon-rich environments, any combination of sparks, elevated temperatures, or fuel presence can lead to fire or explosion. A gas leak, for example, can trigger engine overspeed or runaway conditions, escalating rapidly into a critical incident if not immediately detected and controlled.
These risks are precisely why Class I, Division 2 specifications exist—to ensure that equipment operating in hazardous locations is engineered and upgraded to safely manage unlikely but potentially catastrophic events.
Key Elements of the Class I, Division 2 Upgrade
AdON’s approach prioritized strict adherence to OEM standards while implementing critical safety enhancements, including:
Replacement of deteriorated high-current components
Isolation of ignition and high-temperature points
Containment of potential energy sources
Thermal management of the engine’s highest combustible surface temperatures
Immediate air intake shutoff systems for combustion control
Fire detection systems covering critical engine areas
Independent certified inspection to verify compliance with applicable standards
Through comprehensive engineering, retrofitting, and integration of third-party QA/QC expertise, AdON successfully transformed the existing system into a compliant, safer solution suitable for hazardous operational environments.
AdON Group — Engineering Safer Operations.
