Hazardous area electrical compliance in Queensland is one of the most technically demanding areas of industrial electrical work. Getting it wrong carries serious consequences — from equipment failure and fire risk to regulatory penalties and insurance issues. Here's what facility managers need to know.

What Is a Hazardous Area?

A hazardous area is any location where flammable gases, vapours, dusts, or fibres may be present in quantities sufficient to cause an explosion. In Queensland, common hazardous area sites include fuel storage and handling facilities, chemical processing plants, paint spray booths, grain handling facilities, and oil and gas operations.

The Australian Standard: AS/NZS 60079

All hazardous area electrical work in Australia must comply with the AS/NZS 60079 series of standards. This covers everything from area classification through to equipment selection, installation, inspection, and maintenance. The key standards are:

AS/NZS 60079-0 — General requirements for equipment
AS/NZS 60079-10 — Area classification for gases and dusts
AS/NZS 60079-14 — Installation requirements
AS/NZS 60079-17 — Inspection and maintenance requirements

What Is an Ex Inspection?

An Ex inspection is a formal inspection of electrical equipment installed in a hazardous area to verify it remains compliant with AS/NZS 60079-17. Initial inspections are required at commissioning, and periodic inspections are required ongoing — typically annually for Zone 1 areas.

Ex inspections must be carried out by a competent person with specific hazardous area qualifications. Not all licensed electricians are qualified to perform Ex inspections.

Hazardous Area Electrical Compliance in Queensland: What Facility Managers Need to Do

If your Queensland facility has classified hazardous areas, you are required to:

Maintain current area classification documentation
Ensure all electrical equipment installed in hazardous areas is certified for the zone and gas group
Schedule and document periodic Ex inspections to AS/NZS 60079-17
Keep records of all inspections, defects, and corrective actions
Ensure any electrical work in hazardous areas is carried out by a competent person

AI Electrical Systems carries out Ex inspections and hazardous area electrical installations for facilities across Brisbane and Queensland. We hold Contractor Licence #86927 and maintain current competency in AS/NZS 60079 requirements.