Direct Answer

An offshore laboratory or workshop container should be designed around the **work process, equipment, hazards and installation environment**, rather than by selecting a standard container first. At a minimum, the project must define equipment dimensions and weight, personnel capacity, heat loads, chemicals or gases, ventilation method, hazardous-area classification and platform interfaces.

TLS provides customised offshore laboratories, workshops, crane-support containers, generator containers, ROV and control cabins, equipment and tool-storage containers, and maintenance cabins. Available systems include insulation, air conditioning, filtered extraction, electrical distribution, lighting, communications, and fire and gas detection. Depending on the project scope, relevant requirements may include DNV 2.7-1, NORSOK, ATEX/IECEx and SOLAS/IMO.

What Are the Main Design Priorities for Different Functional Containers?

Key conclusion: The external structures may be similar, but containers with different functions should not use identical ventilation, safety or acceptance criteria.

What Five Factors Should Be Confirmed During Design?

1. Work Process and Layout

Define how personnel, samples, tools and equipment will move through the module before positioning workbenches, storage, doors and emergency equipment. Sufficient operating and maintenance clearance must also be provided around each item of equipment.

2. Hazardous-Area Requirements

Modules installed in Zone 1 or Zone 2 may require positive pressurisation, hazardous-area-rated external equipment, gas detection and loss-of-pressure interlocks. The hazardous-area drawing and actual sources of release should determine whether these measures are required.

3. HVAC and Process Exhaust

HVAC primarily controls temperature and humidity, while process exhaust captures fumes, dust or chemical vapours. These systems have different purposes. Exhaust from a laboratory fume cupboard must also be assessed together with module make-up air and any positive-pressurisation system.

4. Structure and Weight

Equipment weight, centre of gravity, dynamic loads and mounting locations affect base-frame reinforcement, the module’s overall centre of gravity and its lifting attitude. The module weight report should be updated after heavy equipment has been finalised.

5. Platform Interfaces

Define the power supply, earthing, UPS, communications, fire and gas alarms, emergency shutdown and cable-entry locations. Factory-installed equipment reduces onsite work, but does not mean that all site interfaces are complete.

What Does Each Standard Address?

- DNV 2.7-1: Primarily addresses offshore-container structure, manufacture, testing and lifting. It does not verify laboratory ventilation performance.

- NORSOK: Refers to a family of standards. The applicable standard number, revision and clauses should be stated in the enquiry.

- ATEX/IECEx: Address equipment and conformity requirements for explosive atmospheres. They do not replace offshore structural certification.

- SOLAS/IMO: Applicability depends on the vessel, offshore facility and relevant authority. These requirements do not replace a project-specific process-safety design.

 What Information Does TLS Need for a Quotation?

- Module function, work process and number of personnel;

- Equipment dimensions, weight, heat load and maintenance clearance;

- Information about chemicals, gases, dust or fuel;

- Installation location, hazardous-area classification and environmental conditions;

- HVAC, process-exhaust or positive-pressurisation requirements;

- Power, communications, F&G and ESD interfaces;

- Applicable standards, third-party approval and FAT requirements;

- Quantity, delivery location and required schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does every offshore laboratory require positive pressurisation?

No. The need for positive pressurisation depends on the external hazardous-area classification and internal sources of release. A module installed in a non-hazardous area without the relevant internal hazards may use a conventional ventilation arrangement.

2. Does a DNV 2.7-1 certificate allow the container to be used on any offshore platform?

No. The platform operator must still review the installation location, weight, lifting arrangement, fire protection, hazardous-area requirements and system interfaces.

3. Can a fume cupboard discharge directly outside the container?

Not without assessing the substance being discharged, the risk of exhaust-air re-entry, the hazardous-area classification and environmental requirements. The exhaust airflow may also affect internal positive pressure.

4. Why must equipment weight be confirmed early?

Equipment weight and centre of gravity directly affect structural reinforcement, maximum gross mass and lifting attitude. Replacing heavy equipment late in the project may require structural rework.

Conclusion

An offshore laboratory or workshop container is a functional system designed around a specific operation. Defining the equipment, hazards, ventilation and platform interfaces early reduces manufacturing changes and onsite commissioning risks.

TLS Offshore Containers / TLS Energy is a global supplier of standard and customised containerised solutions. 

Wherever you are in the world, TLS can help you. Please contact us.

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