ATEX & IECEx Certified Pressurized Welding Habitats
Safety in Hazardous Areas: Zone 1 & 2
Whenever hot work is required in potential explosive atmosphere, such as in Zone 1 & 2 classified hazardous areas of offshore and onshore Oil & Gas installation, PressureHab’s pressurized welding habitat systems provide a safe & controlled workplace with a minimal impact on production.
By continuously monitoring the conditions inside the habitat, PressureHab’s fully automated Safe-Stop control system provides safety by only allowing hot work to take place when no toxic or explosive gases are present and positive pressure is established inside the PressureHab. This prevents gases from entering the PressureHab, allowing hot work to be safely undertaken inside the habitat, without the need to shut down the facility where the hotwork is to take place.
Equipment operated in explosive atmosphere is regulated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The international standard for pressurized habitats (rooms) is IEC60079–13. Only pressurized habitats systems that are 3rd party certified to standard IEC60079-13 can legally be operated within Zone 1 & 2 hazardous areas safely.
The IEC calls welding habitats pressurized rooms, we call our welding habitats a PressureHab
PressureHab Zone 1 & Zone 2
Pressurized Welding Habitat Systems
PressureHab’s pressurized welding habitat systems have been designed with the end user’s safety requirements in mind.
Made from high quality durable fire-resistant fiberglass material, a PressureHab can withstand welding & grinding sparks up to 550° C (1000° F) without the requirement of additional internal cladding. In addition, the floor is lined with extra thick fiberglass floor panels to increase that fire resistance to 850° (circa 1550° F) to be able to contain red hot molten metal or slag within the PressureHab.
A PressureHab can be built into any shape and around any obstacle using our unique 1x1 and 1x2 meter silicone coated fiberglass panels. The panels provide a superior protection to isolate hot work from potential explosive atmosphere. PressureHab panel interlock with a tong & groove system, and are held into place by velcro hook & loop. Additionally, they are modular and interchangeable, meaning that no A & B panel, no zippers required.
Depending on the hazardous area Zone you're planning to work in, you require either our Zone 1 Safe-Stop or our Zone 2 Safe-Work control system to pressurize and operate the PressureHab.
Zone 1 Safe-Stop™ Automatic Shudown System
The Safe-Stop system is designed & 3rd party certified to the IEC60079-13 standard for use in conjunction with our highly fire resistant welding habitats. The system constantly monitors the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the PressureHab as well as Oxygen, Hydrogen Sulphide and Methane levels in the airflow and inside the PressureHab. Upon detecting a loss of differential pressure, high or low oxygen levels, or hazardous gases detected inside the PressureHab, the Safe-Stop System will automatically shut down the hot work power supply to the PressureHab and give a visual & optical alarm (Beacon & Sounder) on the MCU and on the PCU. Should any hazardous gases (such as H2S or CH4) be detected in the air-feed to the PressureHab, the Safe-Stop system will shut down both the power supply and the flow of air to the PressureHab.
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Zone 2 Safe-Work™ Habitat Control System
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PressureHab's economical Safe-Work Zone 2 control system provides a safe work environment within Zone 2 rated hazardous locations. The Safe-Work system is designed & 3rd party certified to the IEC60079-13 standard for use in conjunction with our highly fire resistant welding habitats. The Safe-Work system constantly monitors the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the PressureHab as well as Oxygen, Hydrogen Sulphide and Methane levels in the airflow and inside the PressureHab. Upon detecting a loss of differential pressure, high or low oxygen levels, or hazardous gases detected inside the PressureHab, the Safe-Stop System will automatically give a visual & optical alarm (Beacon & Sounder) on the MCU and on the PCU. Should any hazardous gases (such as H2S or CH4) be detected in the air-feed to the PressureHab, the Safe-Stop system will shut down the flow of air to the PressureHab. This system is integrated into the PressureHab in the same way as the Zone 1 Safe-Stop system.