StS gruppen - Safe Habitat Solutions

In a positive pressure habitat, the overpressure is used to prevent penetration of potentially explosive substances and gases. Hot work, such as welding, grinding, cutting, sandblasting and metallisation, can thus be carried out in areas otherwise considered as hazardous. This allows the execution of hotwork during regular operation of oil and gas-related installations and plants.

StS gruppen has developed the Flexi Habitat System, which can be delivered in three different set-up layouts and is scalable according to customers' specific requirements.

Hotwork anytime and anywhere

The use of positive pressure habitats - also called welding tents or hotwork enclosures - is a necessity in order to perform hotwork in areas classified as hazardous without closing down the installation or plant.

The design of the Flexi Habitat System is versatile. The system can be mounted at nearly any location. It can even be built around pillars and other obstacles.

Generation 3 of StS gruppen's Flexi Habitat System can control up to four habitats simultaneously.

Automatic shutdown for increased safety

A key feature of StS gruppen's safety system for the Flexi Habitat is the automatic shutdown system. The shutdown is automatically triggered if, for example, gas, a rapid rise in temperature or loss of overpressure is detected, part of the equipment does not work or the emergency stop is activated.

This automatic shutdown system is protected by patent in several countries. All relevant equipment is certified and approved for ATEX Zone 1.

All checklists and manuals for the operation of the Flexi Habitat are approved by internationally recognised certification body Det Norske Veritas (DNV).

Standard positive pressure habitat set-up

A standard-sized habitat is 2m x 2m x 2m, has a total weight of 90kg and is equipped with a self-closing door and two panels for pipes up to 42in or several smaller pipes.

If required, the habitat can be equipped with an air lock.

The positive pressure in a habitat is maintained by deploying ATEX-certified fans approved for Zone 1. All fans are equipped with gas detection. Optionally, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas detection can be installed.

All habitats offered by StS gruppen are equipped with a shutdown system and emergency stops. StS gruppen's advanced system controls the shutdown of both welding machines and other non-ATEX equipment as well as the shutdown of the diesel-generators.