This recommended practice provides guidelines for determining the degree and extent of Class I, Division 1 and Class I, Division 2 locations at petroleum facilities, for the selection and installation of electrical equipment. Basic definitions provided in the "National Electric Code" have been followed in developing this document which applies to the classification of locations for both temporarily and permanently installed electrical equipment. RP 500 is intended to be applied where there may be a risk of ignition due to the presence of flammable gas or vapor, mixed with air under normal atmospheric conditions