Do You Need an A60 Fire Rated Container for Your Offshore Project?

A60 fire rating is not required for every offshore container.

Whether a container needs A60 fire protection depends on its application, installation environment, safety requirements, and project specifications.

In general:

• Offshore accommodation modules, control rooms, and safety-critical spaces often require A60 fire protection. 
• General offshore workshops, storage containers, and equipment modules may not require A60 unless specified by the client or by regulatory requirements. 

It is important to understand that offshore certification and fire rating are two different requirements.

For example:

• DNV 2.7-1 certification mainly focuses on offshore container structural integrity, lifting safety, and transportation requirements.
• A60 rating focuses on fire resistance performance and fire separation.

A container can be DNV 2.7-1 certified without being A60 rated, depending on the application.

What Standards Define A60 Fire Protection?

A60 fire protection requirements are mainly related to marine fire safety regulations and project specifications.

SOLAS Requirements

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) provides international requirements for fire safety on ships.

SOLAS addresses areas such as:

• Fire-resistant divisions
• Protection of accommodation spaces
• Escape routes
• Fire prevention arrangements

For offshore modules installed on vessels or marine facilities, SOLAS requirements may apply depending on the project type.

IMO FTP Code

The International Maritime Organization Fire Test Procedures (FTP) Code defines test methods for marine fire protection systems.

For A60-rated modules, the evaluation normally considers the performance of the complete fire-resistant structure, including:

• Walls
• Ceilings
• Decks
• Doors
• Windows
• Penetrations

The purpose is to ensure the module can maintain fire separation and limit heat transfer during a defined fire exposure period.

What Makes a Container A60 Fire Rated?

An A60-rated container is not defined by a single component. The entire construction system must achieve the required fire resistance performance.

Key elements include:

1. Fire Resistant Wall, Ceiling and Floor Construction

The main structure typically includes:

• Fire-resistant insulation materials
• Approved internal panels
• Steel framework
• Tested construction methods

The insulation system must limit temperature increase on the non-fire side during fire exposure.

2. A60 Fire-Rated Doors

Doors are critical components because openings can reduce fire protection performance.

An A60 door system normally requires:

• Fire resistance approval
• Proper sealing system
• Correct installation method

Installing an A60 door alone does not make the entire container A60-rated.

3. Fire-Rated Windows

Windows require special consideration, especially for control rooms or observation areas.

Standard safety glass does not automatically provide A60 fire protection.

Depending on project requirements, the module may require:

• Marine fire-rated windows
• Certified fire-resistant glazing systems
• Specific size limitations

4. Protected Cable and HVAC Penetrations

Fire performance can be compromised through openings for:

• Electrical cables
• HVAC ducts
• Pipes
• Cable transit systems

Proper fire-rated sealing solutions are required to maintain compartment integrity.

When is an A60 fire-rated container required?

1. Offshore Accommodation Modules

Accommodation spaces are one of the most common applications requiring A60 fire protection.

Examples include:

• Living quarters
• Sleeping cabins
• Mess rooms
• Temporary offshore accommodation units

The main purpose is to protect personnel and maintain safe evacuation conditions during a fire event.

2. Offshore Control Rooms

Control rooms may require A60 protection when they contain critical operational equipment or are located near potential fire hazards.

Examples include:

• Process control rooms
• Electrical control rooms
• Emergency response rooms

The objective is to protect both personnel and critical systems.

3. Modules Installed Near Hazardous Areas

Containers located close to areas with increased fire risk may require enhanced fire protection.

Examples:

• Oil and gas processing areas
• Drilling areas
• Fuel handling areas

The final requirement depends on the project fire risk assessment and client specifications.

When A60 May Not Be Necessary?

Not every offshore application requires A60 construction.

For example:

Offshore Workshop Containers

Used for:

• Equipment maintenance
• Repair work
• Tools and machinery storage

The main requirements may focus on:

• Structural strength
• Offshore lifting capability
• Corrosion protection
• Functional layout

Offshore Storage Containers

Used for:

• Spare parts
• General materials
• Equipment storage

These applications typically require offshore certification and durability rather than fire-rated accommodation standards.

A60 Certified Module vs A60 Compliant Construction: What Is the Difference?

This distinction is important during project specification.

A60 Certified Module

Means:

• The complete module has been evaluated according to relevant fire testing requirements.
• Fire performance documentation is available.
• The construction system has been verified.

A60 Compliant Construction

Means:

• The design follows A60-related requirements.
• Certain materials or components may meet fire performance expectations.
• However, the complete module may not have formal certification.

Before quotation or manufacturing, customers should clarify whether they require:

• A fully certified A60 module;
• An A60-rated construction design;
• Individual A60 components only.

How Should Customers Specify A60 Requirements?

To avoid incorrect specifications, customers should confirm the following information:

1. Application

What will the container be used for?

• Accommodation
• Control room
• Laboratory
• Workshop
• Storage

2. Installation Location

Where will it be installed?

• Offshore platform
• Offshore vessel
• Wind farm facility
• Onshore hazardous area

3. Required Approval Level

Does the project require:

• A60 fire-rated construction?
• Full A60 certification?
• Classification society approval?
• Client-specific fire protection standard?

4. Applicable Regulations

Confirm whether requirements are based on:

• SOLAS
• IMO FTP Code
• Classification society rules
• Operator engineering specifications

Common Misunderstandings About A60 Containers

“All offshore containers require A60 certification.”---Incorrect.

Offshore certification and A60 fire protection address different risks.

Offshore certification focuses mainly on structural safety and lifting requirements, while A60 focuses on fire resistance.

“An A60 door means the whole container is A60.”---Incorrect.

The complete module, including walls, ceiling, floor, windows, and penetrations, must meet the required fire protection standard.

“A60 only depends on insulation thickness.”---Incorrect.

A60 performance depends on the complete construction system, approved components, and installation quality.

Conclusion

A60 fire protection should be specified based on the function and risk level of the module, not simply because the container is used offshore.

Before selecting an A60 container, project teams should confirm:

1. Module application;

2. Installation environment;

3. Applicable regulations;

4. Required certification level.

FAQ

1. Do all offshore containers need A60 certification?

No. Many offshore containers only require offshore structural certification such as DNV 2.7-1, while A60 is required for specific fire-protected applications.

2. Is DNV 2.7-1 the same as A60?

No. DNV 2.7-1 covers offshore container structural and lifting requirements. A60 covers fire resistance performance.

3. Does an offshore accommodation container usually require A60?

Yes, offshore accommodation modules commonly require higher fire protection levels because they are designed for personnel occupancy.

4. Can a standard container be upgraded to A60?

A conversion may be possible, but achieving recognized A60 performance requires proper engineering design, approved materials, and verification of the complete structure.

5. Does an A60 container require A60 doors and windows?

Yes. All openings and penetrations must be considered because they can affect overall fire resistance performance.

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.

In modern offshore energy, chemical refining, and mining operations, real-time sample analysis and fluid testing must happen right at the site. However, bringing sensitive analytical instruments, volatile chemical reagents, and lab technicians into explosive atmospheres (Zone 1 or Zone 2) presents extreme safety challenges.

TLS Offshore Containers International engineers highly specialized, certified Mobile Laboratory Containers designed to solve this exact problem. Combining rigid marine-grade structure with intelligent climate control and critical environmental isolation, these laboratory cabins serve as safe, blast-resistant, and fully compliant research environments anywhere in the world.

1. Differential Pressure Control: Positive vs. Negative Pressurization

Unlike standard equipment shelters, a laboratory container must manage internal air dynamics depending on the nature of the samples being tested. TLS engineers these units with precise HVAC controls to support two distinct safety philosophies:

• Positive Pressure Labs (Ex-proof Protection): By maintaining an internal pressure higher than the outside atmosphere, the cabin blocks hazardous hydrocarbons or explosive gases from entering. This allows standard, non-explosion-proof laboratory instruments (such as gas chromatographs or spectrometers) to run safely in Zone 1 or Zone 2 locations.
• Negative Pressure Labs (Containment Protection): If the lab is used for testing highly toxic gases, hazardous chemical vapors, or dangerous biological samples, the cabin maintains a lower internal pressure. This ensures that no hazardous internal air or toxic fumes can escape into the surrounding environment, protecting personnel working outside on the deck.

2. Certified to Stand Up to the Harshest Environments

When operations move offshore or into heavy chemical plants, equipment durability cannot be compromised. TLS Laboratory Containers are designed, load-tested, and certified according to the world’s most stringent maritime and hazardous location engineering frameworks:

3. High-Spec Interior Layout: Tailored for Scientific Precision

A TLS Laboratory Container is not just a shell; it is delivered as a turnkey, pre-commissioned facility. The interior engineering is completely optimized for industrial laboratory workflows:

• Premium Marine Materials: High-grade, chemical-resistant stainless steel (316L) countertops, custom cabinetry, and seamless, anti-static, non-slip flooring that resists aggressive chemical spills.
• Fume Hood Integration: Tailored extraction hoods fitted with ATEX-certified exhaust fans and specialized carbon or HEPA filtration units to handle toxic, acidic, or flammable vapors safely.
• Intelligent Utilities: Pre-installed gas manifold systems (for carrier gases like Nitrogen, Helium, or Hydrogen), emergency eyewash stations, specialized water drainage systems, and stabilized power supplies to protect sensitive digital analyzers.

4. Seamless Logistics & Direct Turnkey Implementation

Procurement and logistics teams face immense pressure to keep project timelines tight. TLS minimizes on-site installation friction by providing a plug-and-play architecture. Every mobile lab undergoes meticulous Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) before dispatch.

Available in highly flexible sizes—including standard 10ft, 15ft, 20ft, and 40ft footprints, as well as bespoke dimensions—these units integrate flawlessly into crowded layouts on offshore platforms, FPSO, refineries, or remote mining camps.

Request a Technical Layout and Quote

Whether you are planning a mud logging laboratory, a water treatment testing facility, or a high-security petrochemical analysis cabin, TLS engineers are ready to build a configuration suited to your operational footprint.

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.

Please download the Laboratory container brochure for reference.

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:

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

Offshore pressurised mud logging cabin brochure

MCC | Switchgear | VFD | VSD pressurised shelter