INTRINSICALLY SAFE RADIOS
WHAT IS AN INTRINSICALLY SAFE RADIO?
Let’s dive in to the facts about what is and isn’t an Intrinsically Safe Radio. A classified Intrinsically Safe Radio is one that is authorized to be used in flammable or explosive environments. Your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) or your safety personnel team will determine if an Intrinsically Safe Radio is required for your organization or facility.
WHAT ENVIRONMENTS NEED TO USE INTRINSICALLY SAFE RADIOS?
Document 70 from the National Electric Code (NEC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has constructed a code list of different classes, divisions, groups of gases, vapors, liquids, ignitable fibers, gas groups, etc that can be in certain environments. This document is what your safety personal or AHJ over your area will look at to decide if your facility needs to use Intrinsically Safe Radios.
If the environment in which radio communication is needed contains conditions (as listed in the NFPA document), a normal radio will not suffice. This is because a normal radio could become a source of ignition in these environments. Motorola has produced Intrinsically Safe Radios for many years. The older models were green dot FM certified radios. Some of these radios are still in use. The newer models of Intrinsically Safe Radios are now white dot UL listed. On the bottom of white dotted radios you will see the model of the radio and also the hazardous location environments form the NFPA document where that specific radio can safely be used.
BATTERY IMPORTANCE FOR AN INTRINSICALLY SAFE RADIO
Motorola radios that are Intrinsically Safe will list a specific Motorola battery that has to be used to be sure this radio meets the standards and regulations to be classified as an Intrinsically Safe Radio. There are other batteries that will fit intrinsically safe radios, but you have to use the battery that is specified.
Another important battery fact for these radios is that once you enter areas that are considered combustible, you cannot take the battery off to switch batteries. Just removing the battery could become an ignition source. There should be control rooms or areas where a battery switch out can be performed.
Beware of buying used intrinsically safe radios and batteries from unauthorized sellers. Motorola performs all testing and certification based on a battery radio platform. There may be different sizes of batteries that will fit your intrinsically safe radio but this will invalidate the white dot listing.
Motorola listed batteries on the Intrinsically Safe Radios has to be used together in the proper configuration in order for your radio to be intrinsically safe.
CAN I STILL USE THE OLD GREEN DOT INTRINSICALLY SAFE RADIOS?
Yes, you can continue to use the green dot radios although Motorola has discontinued this platform of radios. This means that Motorola no longer services these radios. Motorola Service Shops, like P&R Communications, can service these radios but once the housing on the radio is opened for repair, the green dot radios are no longer considered intrinsically safe. These radios will now be clearly marked as not to be used in combustible areas. They will be safe to use in an office setting or other area that is not classified as needing intrinsically safe radios.
QUICK REMINDERS ABOUT INTRINSICALLY SAFE RADIOS?
• Green Dot FM radios are no longer able to be repaired and keep their FM rating
• White dot (UL) batteries and green dot (FM) batteries are NOT interchangeable
• Both FM and UL requires use of Motorola OEM Batteries
For more information about Intrinsically Safe Radios, contact P&R Communications at 937-512-8100,
info@pandrcommunications.com or www.pandrcommunications.com.
Check out this P&R Tech Tip YouTube Video for more information about Intrinsically Safe Radios:
youtube.com/watch?v=niGO3pZuZT4