Certified inspection and maintenance of explosion-protected equipment in Zone 1 and Zone 2 classified hazardous areas. Serving upstream and downstream oil & gas facilities across Guyana and Suriname.
Scope of Service
Explosion-protected equipment must be regularly inspected to maintain its certification integrity. A damaged or incorrectly maintained Ex item is a safety liability — not just a compliance issue.
Inspection of Ex d rated enclosures — checking flame path gaps, fastener torque, cable gland integrity, and enclosure condition. Any breach in a flameproof enclosure nullifies its Ex rating.
Inspection of Ex e terminal boxes, junction boxes, and motors — checking insulation resistance, terminal tightness, ingress protection, and cable entry sealing.
Inspection of Ex n equipment used in Zone 2 areas — motors, lighting, instrumentation, and control panels. Checking enclosure integrity, terminal condition, and IP rating maintenance.
Inspection and functional testing of Ex p pressurised panels and analyser shelters. Verification of purge and pressurisation system operation, pressure switches, and flow monitoring.
Inspection of Ex i field instruments and their associated apparatus — checking barrier integrity, loop documentation, cable separation, and earth continuity.
Full inspection of explosion-protected lighting fixtures, fans, and motors — glass integrity, lamp condition, gasket condition, cable entries, and mechanical protection.
Areas where an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation. Requires equipment with higher protection levels (Ex d, Ex e, Ex i, Ex p). Found in pump rooms, compressor buildings, loading bays, and process areas. Equipment in Zone 1 requires detailed inspection at least annually.
Areas where an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation but may do so infrequently. Permits some Ex n equipment alongside higher rated types. Found around storage tanks, valve manifolds, and flanged pipework. Inspection intervals typically every 1–3 years.
Our Process
Our inspection process follows IEC 60079-17 — the international standard for inspection and maintenance of Ex electrical installations.
Review of area classification drawings, equipment schedules, previous inspection records, and any maintenance history relevant to the equipment being inspected.
Detailed visual check of every Ex item against its certification. Checking enclosure condition, cable entries, labels, earth bonding, and any signs of damage, corrosion, or unauthorised modification.
Opening of enclosures where required to check internal condition, terminal integrity, insulation resistance, and flame path dimensions on flameproof equipment.
Full electrical testing of selected equipment including insulation resistance measurement, earth continuity testing, and functional verification of safety devices.
Detailed written inspection report for every item, including condition grade, defects found, remedial actions required, and recommended reinspection interval.
Why DAS Energy
ATEX inspection is a specialist discipline. Our team understands both the technical requirements of explosion protection standards and the practical realities of working in live oil and gas facilities.
Standards & References
Our inspection team works to internationally recognised hazardous area standards.
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| IEC 60079-17 | Inspection & maintenance of Ex electrical installations |
| IEC 60079-0 | General requirements for Ex equipment |
| IEC 60079-14 | Electrical installations design, selection, and erection |
| ATEX Directive | European equipment and protective systems standard |
| IECEx Scheme | International Ex equipment certification scheme |
| NEC Article 500 | US National Electrical Code — Hazardous Locations |
| NEC Article 505 | Zone classification for hazardous locations |
| IP Rating | IEC 60529 — Ingress protection verification |
Contact us to discuss your facility's inspection requirements or to set up a planned maintenance programme for your hazardous area electrical equipment.