Onshore and offshore oil and gas, industrial manufacturing, petrochemical plants, and mining operations all contain hazardous work environments. These facilities are often located in remote areas, exposed to harsh weather conditions, and subject to the risk of explosions and fires. When additional equipment, storage, or offices are needed in these hazardous areas, it becomes necessary to utilize the right equipment. This additional risk is why safety managers and engineering departments must work hand-in-hand to ensure the zone cabins deployed on location are suitable to handle the requirements of the environment they are being deployed to.

Armoda provides hazardous-rated cabins for use in a wide range of industries across the globe. This article will cover the two major hazardous location ratings used and the different types of cabins available for working in these locations.  

Hazardous areas are classified into different zones or divisions depending on the degree of risk and the likelihood of an explosion or fire. It's important to understand the difference between Division and Zone ratings. In general, zone-rated hazardous areas are used in Europe and other parts of the world, while division-rated hazardous areas are used in North America. Regardless of the classification system used, it's important to use specialized modules designed to be safe and reliable in these hazardous areas. 

Division-Rated Areas

Division-rated hazardous areas are classified into two divisions: Division 1 and Division 2. Division 1 hazardous areas are areas where flammable gases, vapors, or liquids are continuously or intermittently in sufficient quantities to cause an explosion or fire. Division 2 hazardous areas are where combustible gases, vapors, or liquids are handled, processed, or stored, but are normally confined within closed containers or systems. These areas are often classified as Class 1 Div. 1, Class 1 Div. 2, Class 2, Div. 2, etc.

Zone-Rated Areas

Zone-rated hazardous areas are classified into three zones: Zone 0, Zone 1, and Zone 2. Zone 0 hazardous areas are defined as areas where an explosive gas atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods. Zone 1 hazardous areas are where an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur under normal operating conditions. Zone 2 hazardous areas are defined as where an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur under normal operating conditions, but may do so for short periods.

Types of Zone Cabins

Zone cabins are modules built from the ground up to meet or exceed the zone and division ratings discussed above. These ratings are required because the limited space on offshore facilities requires that the units be placed in these hazardous areas. These modules are outfitted to fulfill a specific purpose in hazardous areas at a location. Zone cabins often include ATEX/IECEx-rated end devices suitable for hazardous areas. These modules are often pressurized and require a specified number of fresh air changes per hour to ensure fresh air is always within the cabin.

ROV Control Vans

Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Control Vans are modules that house all the equipment and personnel necessary to run remote-operating vehicles. ROVs are robotic underwater machines designed to be highly maneuverable and perform tasks that would be too dangerous or impossible to be performed by a diver. Used for exploration and development, each ROV is designed for a specific purpose, meaning they can vary in size and shape. For example, they could be the size of a microwave or as big as a van.

Driller Control Cabin

A driller control cabin is a specialized workspace typically found on drilling rigs used in the oil and gas industry. The cabin is the control center for the drilling operations and is usually situated to offer a good view of the surrounding area. The cabin typically contains instruments, gauges, and control panels that allow the driller to monitor and control the drilling equipment, such as the drill bit and the drill string.

MWD Modules

Measurement While Drilling (MWD) Modules and Mudlogging Modules are designed based on the requirements of the oil and gas drilling environments. These modules, often used in downhole drilling applications, provide accurate and stable survey measurements.

Office Modules

Sometimes additional office space is required on an offshore facility. Office modules provide a protected space for personnel and equipment to be housed and worked in. They are generally outfitted to meet the specific needs of a particular project.

Workshops

Workshop modules provide working space and storage solutions. In addition, they can be outfitted to house a variety of workshop machinery and tools.

The use of specialized modules in division-rated and zone-rated hazardous areas is critical to ensuring the safety of both workers and equipment. The types of modules used in these areas will depend on the specific classification system used and the level of risk present. If you have a project that requires zone-rated cabins, contact Armoda today. We have a fleet of zone cabins rated to meet division- and zone-rated certification requirements and can outfit them to meet your exact needs.