How Does Extronics Inspect Flameproof Enclosures to Meet Ex d Requirements? We inspect flameproof enclosures using GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) controlled verification, detailed flame path inspection, and calibrated measurement of threads and surface finishes to ensure full compliance with Ex d standards for explosion protection in hazardous areas. The iWAP107 aluminium enclosure is one example of how this inspection process is applied in practice. Inspection First: Our Approach to Flameproof Enclosures At Extronics (BARTEC’s IoT and Connectivity Brand), inspection is a core part of how we deliver safe, compliant equipment. Every flameproof enclosure is treated as a safety critical system, meaning each machined feature must perform exactly as intended to prevent ignition in hazardous areas. Our process is built around key standards: BS EN 60079-0 – General requirements for equipment in explosive atmospheres. BS […]
How does electronic mustering strengthen offshore emergency response? It provides clear visibility and accountability during an incident, helping operators confirm personnel safety quickly and respond with confidence. In an offshore facility emergency, mustering comes down to two critical questions: Who is onboard, and where are they? Can you get them to safety quickly and prove it afterwards? Electronic mustering, linked to a live electronic Personnel on Board (e-POB) system and supported by a Real-Time Location System (RTLS), gives offshore operators the visibility and evidence they need. It provides real-time awareness in the control room and a defensible record after drills or incidents. It turns emergency response from assumption into certainty. Offshore installations like FPSOs don’t always sit neatly under rules like SOLAS or the IMO MODU Code. These frameworks were originally developed for ships and mobile offshore drilling units, so how they apply […]
What to Consider When Managing Wireless Networks in Hazardous Areas? Managing wireless networks over their lifecycle in hazardous areas means planning for more than initial deployment. It requires a structured approach that considers: Compliance Installation Operation Maintenance Site planning Hazardous area wireless systems must meet certification and inspection requirements and are often difficult to access. Early design decisions shape how networks can be operated and expanded. A lifecycle-led approach helps keep systems safe, compliant, and fit for purpose over time. Using the Wireless Buyers Guide as a useful resource for your deployment The Hazardous Areas Wireless Buyers Guide provides essential deployment considerations including selecting the right wireless technologies, protection concepts, and compliant deployment methods in explosive atmospheres. While it is often used during specification, the guidance it contains applies across the entire working life of a wireless system. This article shows how to use the Buyers Guide as a practical resource when planning your deployment, helping teams plan, operate, and […]
How do you make Hazardous Area products easier to specify, order, and deploy; without compromising safety or compliance? By embedding proven engineering expertise into a rule-based digital system that guides every decision, removes friction, and gives customers clarity from the very first interaction. Simplicity as a Design Principle Digital transformation isn’t just about speed or efficiency. At Extronics, it’s about making complex, safety‑critical decisions easier for everyone involved starting with customers and extending through sales, engineering, and manufacturing. By embedding our engineering expertise into a rule‑based automation framework, we’ve taken something inherently complicated and made it intuitive, consistent, and transparent. This story comes from our Hazardous Area Connectivity Portfolio, specifically our wireless enclosures, where we design configurable hazardous area solutions that balance compliance, performance, and deployment efficiency. The Challenge: Complexity, Scale, and Time Pressure Hazardous […]
Why do manufacturing businesses still need a structured problem solving process? Because no matter how experienced your people are, problems will always happen and how you deal with them determines whether they come back. In hazardous area manufacturing, robust safety controls and well-defined procedures are essential.What makes the difference is having a consistent, structured way to respond when something needs investigating. A structured response ensures corrective actions are effective and preventive measures are embedded into future working practices. At Extronics, we use the 8D (Eight Disciplines) Problem Solving methodology to understand issues properly, make targeted improvements, and ensure learning is captured and shared across the business. Experience Brings Insight One of Extronics’ strengths is the range of backgrounds across our manufacturing team. Colleagues like Natasha Taylor (Quality Engineer), with experience in FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer […]
How Do You Safely Extend Wireless Networks into Hazardous Areas? Ex-certified wireless enclosure systems enable you to extend your existing network into hazardous areas, helping maximize the value of your current infrastructure while accelerating digitalization across the site. That’s exactly what our iWAP107 and iWAPXN3 wireless enclosure systems are designed to do. Solutions designed specifically for wireless with fully certified explosion protection. In this article, we’ll explore how these systems are designed, why there are two enclosure options in our iWAP range, and how simple, practical design principles help deliver flexible wireless connectivity in hazardous areas. Why Do Hazardous Areas Need Wireless Enclosures? Most sites already have strong wireless networks in their safe areas, usually using one chosen vendor or technology to run several applications securely. When digitalization projects expand into areas where potential for an explosion is present, site teams must ensure the final solution is certified to the required […]