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Welding Habitat Certification Frequently Asked Questions

Welding Habitats are usually operated in explosive atmosphere Zone 1 or 2. The Oil & Gas industry and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have developed standards to ensure all work undertaken is safe.
 

Insurance companies usually don’t audit companies on their Health & Safety practice & standards until a complaint or claim is received. But, are you covered, is your insurance policy valid?
 

If you’re operating equipment in explosive atmosphere it is your responsibility to do a proper risk assessment and ensure that equipment is safe to operate and meets the required certification.
 

We’ve put together answers to some of the most frequently ask questions regarding welding habitat certification.

  • What's the standard for pressurized welding habitats?
    Most countries are members of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and the IEC standard for pressurized (rooms) habitats is 60079-13:2017
  • Do I require ATEX or IECEx certification?
    ATEX is the European directive for certification of all equipment operated in explosive atmosphere in Europe. If you operate equipment outside of the European Union IECEx certification is usual required, as most countries have adopted the IEC / IECEx standard for equipment operated in explosive atmosphere. PressureHab's welding habitat systems are dual - ATEX & IECEx - certified, and can be operated anywhere around the globe. You can check the IEC website and search for member countries, to insure you are working with the right certification.
  • In which countries can I operrate IECEx certified equipment?
    IECEx certification is compulsory to operate electrical equipment in explosive atmosphere in most Countries outside Europe. Australia, New Zealand, UAE, Malaysia, and the Philippines accept IECEx certification directly. In Canada and the USA, all electrical equipment must bear the recognized Certification Mark of an accredited Certification Body, i.e., cQPS for Canada, QPSus for the USA and cQPSus for both the USA & Canada. This QPS mark is only an extension of the IECEx certification - meaning IECEx + the national certificate fee. Brazil has the INMETRO regulations as their national extention of the IECEx certification scheme. IECEx Certificate may be accepted in other jurisdictions where no National electrical safety system exists.
  • Are pneumatic fans automatically explosion proof, intrinsically safe, or ATEX or IEC compliant?"
    Absolutely not! All Fans have a high risk of sparking and hot surfaces, as they have moving parts rotating at speed. Equipment operated in explosive atmosphere need to be certified to comply with the IEC standards. The standards for non-electrical equipment is ISO 80079-36:2016. The EN 13463 standard is equally acceptable, if this equipment has been produced / certified before 2017.
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