Enclosures--joints and fastenings.

(a) Explosion-proof enclosures:

(1) Cast or welded enclosures shall be designed to withstand a minimum internal pressure of 150 pounds per square inch (gage). Castings shall be free from blowholes.

(2) Welded joints forming an enclosure shall have continuous gas-tight welds. All welds shall be made in accordance with American Welding Society standards.

(3) External rotating parts shall not be constructed of aluminum alloys containing more than 0.6 percent magnesium.

(4) MSHA reserves the right to require the applicant to conduct static-pressure tests on each enclosure when MSHA determines that the particular design will not permit complete visual inspection or when the joint(s) forming an enclosure is welded on one side only (see §18.67).

(5) Threaded covers and mating parts shall be designed with Class 1A and 1B (coarse, loose-fitting) threads. The flame-arresting path of threaded joints shall conform to the requirements of paragraph (a)(6) of this section.

(6) Enclosure requirements shall be based on the internal volumes of the empty enclosure. The internal volume is the volume remaining after deducting the volume of any part that is essential in maintaining the explosion-proof integrity of the enclosure or necessary for the operation. Essential parts include the parts that constitute the flame-arresting path and those necessary to secure parts that constitute a flame-arresting path. Enclosures shall meet the following requirements:

                EXPLOSION-PROOF REQUIREMENTS BASED ON VOLUME

 +------------------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
 |                                                |                      Volume of empty enclosure                    |
 |                                                |-----------------------|---------------------|------------------------|
 |                                                | Less than 45 cu. in. | 45 to 124 cu. in., | More than 124 cu. in. |
 |                                                |                      |    inclusive       |                       |
 +------------------------------------------------+----------------------+--------------------+-----------------------+
 | Minimum thickness of material for walls1.......| 1/8"                 | 3/16"              | 1/4"                  |
 | Minimum thickness of material for flanges......| 1/4" 2               | 3/8" 3             | 1/2" 3                |
 |  and covers                                    |                      |                    |                       |
 | Minimum width of joint; all in one plane4......| 1/2"                 | 3/4"               | 1"                    |
 | Maximum clearance; joint all in one plane......| 0.002"               | 0.003"             | 0.004"                |
 | Minimum width of joint, portions of which are  | 3/8"                 | 5/8"               | 3/4"                  |
 |  in different planes; cylinders or             |                      |                    |                       |
 |  equivalent4,5.................................|                      |                    |                       |
 | Maximum clearances; joint in two or more       |                      |                    |                       |
 |  planes, cylinders or equivalent:              |                      |                    |                       |
 |   (a) Portion perpendicular to plane6..........| 0.008"               | 0.008"             | 0.008"                |
 |   (b) Plane portion............................| 0.006"               | 0.006"             | 0.006"                |
 | Maximum bolt7,8 spacing; joints all in one     | (16)                 | (16)               | (16)                  |
 |  plane.........................................|                      |                    |                       |
 | Maximum bolt spacing; joints, portions of      |                      |                    |                       |
 |  which are in different planes.................| (9)                  | (9)                | (9)                   |
 | Minimum diameter of bolt (without regard to    |                      |                    |                       |
 |  type of joint)................................| 1/4"                 | 1/4"               | 3/8"                  |
 | Minimum thread engagement10....................| 1/4"                 | 1/4"               | 3/8"                  |
 | Maximum diametrical clearance between          |                      |                    |                       |
 |  bolt body and unthreaded holes through which  |                      |                    |                       |
 |  it passes8,11,12..............................| 1/64"                | 1/32"              | 1/16"                 |
 | Minimum distance from interior of enclosure to |                      |                    |                       |
 |  the edge of a fastening hole:8,13             |                      |                    |                       |
 |   Joint--minimum width 1"......................|......................|....................| 7/16" 14              |
 |   Joint--less than 1" wide.....................| 1/8"                 | 3/16"              |.......................|
 +------------------------------------------------+----------------------+--------------------+-----------------------+
 |                                                  Cylindrical Joints                                                |
 +------------------------------------------------+----------------------+--------------------+-----------------------+
 | Shaft centered by ball or roller bearings:     |                      |                    |                       |
 |   Minimum length of flame-arresting path.......| 1/2"                 | 3/4"               | 1"                    |
 |   Maximum diametrical clearance................| 0.020"               | 0.025"             | 0.030"                |
 | Other cylindrical joints:15                    |                      |                    |                       |
 |   Minimum length of flame-arresting path.......| 1/2"                 | 3/4"               | 1"                    |
 |   Maximum radial diametrical clearance.........| 0.006"               | 0.008"             | 0.010"               |
 +------------------------------------------------+----------------------+--------------------+-----------------------+

1 This is the minimal nominal dimension when applied to standard steel plate.
2 1/32 inch less is allowable for machining rolled plate.
3 1/16 inch less is allowable for machining rolled plate.
4 The widths of any grooves, such as grooves for holding oil seals or O-rings, shall be deducted in measuring the widths of flame-arresting paths.
5 If only two planes are involved, neither portion of a joint shall be less than 1/8 inch wide, unless the wider portion conforms to the same requirements as those for a joint that is all in one plane. If more than two planes are involved (as in labyrinths or tongue-and-groove joints) the combined lengths of those portions having prescribed clearances will be considered.
6 The allowable diametrical clearance is 0.008 inch when the portion perpendicular to the plane portion is 1/4 inch or greater in length. If the perpendicular portion is more than 1/8 inch but less than 1/4 inch wide, the diametrical clearance shall not exceed 0.006 inch.
7 Where the term "bolt" is used, it refers to a machine bolt or a cap screw, and for either of these studs may be substituted provided the studs, bottom in blind holes, are completely welded in place, or the bottom of the hole is closed with a plug secured by weld or braze. Bolts shall be provided at all corners.
8 The requirements as to diametrical clearance around the bolt and minimum distance from the bolt hole to the inside of the explosion-proof enclosure apply to steel dowel pins. In addition, when such pins are used, the spacing between centers of the bolts on either side of the pin shall not exceed 5 inches.
9 Adequacy of bolt spacing will be judged on the basis of size and configuration of the enclosure, strength of materials, and explosion test results.
10 In general, minimum thread engagement shall be equal to or greater than the diameter of the bolt specified.
11 Threaded holes for fastening bolts shall be machined to remove burrs or projections that affect planarity of a surface forming a flame-arresting path.
12 This maximum clearance applies only when the bolt is located within the flamepath.
13 The edge of the bolt hole shall include the edge of any machining done to the bolt hole, such as chamfering.
14 Less than 7/16" (1/4" minimum) will be acceptable provided the diametrical clearance for fastening bolts does not exceed 1/32".
15 Shafts or operating rods through journal bearings shall be at least 1/4" in diameter. The length of fit shall not be reduced when a push button is depressed. Operating rods shall have a shoulder or head on the portion inside the enclosure. Essential parts riveted or bolted to the inside portion are acceptable in lieu of a head or shoulder, but cotter pins and similiar devices shall not be used.
16 6" with a minimum of 4 bolts

(7) O-rings, if used in a flame-arresting path, shall meet the following:

(i) When the flame-arresting path is in one plane, the o-ring shall be located at least one-half the acceptable flame-arresting path length specified in paragraph (a)(6) of this section within the outside edge of the path (see figure J-2 in the appendix to subpart J of part 7 of this chapter).

(ii) When the flame-arresting path is one of the plane-cylindrical type (step joint), the o-ring shall be located at least 1/2 inch within the outer edge of the plane portion (see figure J-3 in the appendix to subpart J of part 7 of this chapter), or at the junction of the plane and cylindrical portion of the joint (see figure J-4 in the appendix to subpart J of part 7 of this chapter); or in the cylindrical portion (see figure J-5 in the appendix to subpart J of part 7 of this chapter).

(b) Enclosures for potted components: Enclosures shall be rugged and constructed with materials having 75 percent, or greater, of the thickness and flange width specified in paragraph (a) of this section. These enclosures shall be provided with means for attaching hose conduit, unless energy carried by the cable is intrinsically safe.

(c) No assembly will be approved that requires the opening of an explosion-proof enclosure to operate a switch, rheostat, or other device during normal operation of a machine.

For More Information: See MSHA's Program Policy Manual