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In offshore oil and gas platforms, FPSO, and marine operations, the threat of explosive hazardous atmospheres is a daily reality. Standard industrial electrical components cannot be exposed to these volatile environments without risking catastrophic ignition. This is where custom-engineered pressurized containers (also known as Ex-proof cabins or ATEX pressurized shelters) become a foundation for operational safety.
As a premier global manufacturer, TLS Offshore Containers International designs and delivers intelligent pressurized cabins that allow non-explosion-proof equipment to operate safely within classified hazardous locations.
1. What is an Intelligent Pressurized Container?
An offshore pressurized container is a specially sealed modular enclosure that maintains a continuous positive internal air pressure. By drawing clean air into the cabin and keeping the pressure higher than the outside atmosphere, it prevents hazardous or flammable gases from leaking into the enclosure.
This specialized environment is crucial for housing high-value, heat-generating electrical systems that lack native explosion protection:
- Power & Drive Systems: Motor Control Centers (MCC), Switchgear, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD), and Variable Speed Drives (VSD).
- Control & Data Hubs: PLC control systems, power control centers (PCC), and telecommunication shelters.
- Operational Cabins: Mud Logging Units, MWD/LWD cabins, ROV control containers, and offshore laboratories (which can be configured with either positive or negative pressure depending on safety protocols).
2. Global Compliance: DNV 2.7-1, IEC 60079-13, and A60 Fire Ratings
When deployed in the harsh environments of the global energy sector, structural integrity and explosion containment are non-negotiable. TLS pressurized cabins are fully certified against the most rigorous international marine and hazardous zone standards:
|
Technical Standard / Certification |
Area of Coverage & Compliance |
Operational Benefit for Fleet Logistics |
|
Zone 1 / Zone 2 Rated |
IECEx and ATEX certification for explosive gas atmospheres. |
Verified safety for deployment in high-risk offshore and onshore environments. |
|
IEC 60079-13:2017 |
International standard for the design and verification of pressurized rooms. |
Guarantees automatic protective purging and continuous environment monitoring. |
|
DNV 2.7-1 / EN 12079 |
Rigid offshore container structural codes and strict load/drop testing. |
Ensures structural survival during dynamic offshore crane lifting and transit. |
|
A60 Fire Protection |
Passive fire rating for walls, airlock doors, and emergency escape hatches. |
Provides 60 minutes of protection against hydrocarbon fires to save personnel and assets. |
|
CSC Certified |
International Convention for Safe Containers certification. |
Permits smooth, legal global multi-modal transit via sea, rail, or road. |
3. The Brain of the Enclosure: PLC-Based Intelligent CPFG System
The core differentiator of a TLS pressurized cabin is its Intelligent Combined Pressurization, Fire and Gas (CPFG) System. Controlled via an advanced programmable PLC platform, the CPFG system provides 24/7 autonomous monitoring of the internal and external environment.
Key features embedded into the TLS CPFG control loop include:
- Automatic Purge Sequence: Clears out potentially hazardous air from inside the cabin before the main electrical payload is energized.
- Fail-Safe Air Management: Integrates ATEX-compliant HVAC/air conditioning systems paired with automatic fire dampers that slam shut instantly if a breach occurs.
- Comprehensive Gas Detection: Continuous sniffing for flammable gases, smoke, and highly toxic Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S).
- Emergency Infrastructure: Ex-approved battery backup emergency lighting, integrated airlock entrance doors, and an A60 fire-rated escape hatch.
4. Why Technical Procurement Teams Trust TLS Offshore Containers
Selecting a pressurized room vendor requires balancing strict engineering specifications with flexible structural capabilities. TLS provides fully customized, operation-ready containers tailored to exact spatial and blast-rating requirements.
Units can be custom dimensioned across flexible layouts—ranging from 10ft, 15ft, 20ft, and up to 40ft form factors—ensuring seamless site integration with minimal footprint on crowded offshore decks. Every module undergoes full Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and pre-commissioning of all electrical and instrumentation assets prior to worldwide delivery.
Whether your upcoming asset upgrade calls for a rugged Zone 1 MCC shelter, a customized mud logging unit, or a secure toxic gas refuge shelter, TLS provides the precise blend of certified engineering and high-efficiency execution.
Optimize Your Offshore Safety Fleet
To access specialized documentation, browse engineering layout blueprints, or contact a marine systems engineer regarding custom technical specifications, please feel free to contact us.
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.
Product brochures:
Offshore total pressurised container solutions
