Positive Pressure Habitat

Safe Habitat Solutions

for hot work enclosures

StS
gruppen
www.stsgruppen.com
 Index

Page

Concept & Key Features 3

Safety, Rules & Regulations 4
Generation 1 & 2 5
Generation 3 6
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Concept & Key Features
In a positive pressure habitat, the overpressure is used to
prevent ingress of potentially explosive substances and gases.
Hot work, such as welding, can thus be carried out in areas
otherwise considered as hazardous.
Use of positive-pressure habitats is a necessity in order to perform
hot work in areas classified as hazardous without closing down the
installation or plant.
StS gruppens flexible habitat solution was developed in close co-
operation with Hydro.
The basic idea was to utilise the strength and flexibility of scaffolding
to create a frame for an airtight lining. Pressurised, the lining becomes
an effective shelter from the outside environment.
Introduced in 1999, the Flexi Habitat System has proved to be very
successful and is today the standard configuration for habitats.
Cost Efficiency
Prior to the development of the Flexi Habitat System, each individual
assignment required a new, tailored sheet steel or aluminium habitat.
StS gruppens modular system can be reused and easily adapted to
new locations. As a result, assembly time and costs are significantly
reduced.
Convenience
Most locations for the potential use of habitats, such as offshore instal-
lations, refineries etc. have easy access to scaffolding which has a posi-
tive impact on transport requirement.
Setup and operation are provided by the same personnel. All of StS
gruppens habitat operators are skilled scaffolders with many years of
experience who will find a solution for nearly any challenge.
Flexibility
The Flexi Habitat design is versatile. The system can be fitted in to
nearly any space. The individual parts are easily transported, also to
remote locations high above the ground.
Due to the use of scaffolding and pliable covering, Flexi Habitats can
even be built around pillars and other obstacles.
When size matters
A standard habitat measures 2 m x 2 m x 2 m, and features 2 sealed
feed-throughs for pipes up to 42 or several pipes of smaller diameter.
Although the standard set-up usually is sufficient in terms of space,
the system can be built to any size.
StS gruppen has designed and built habitat solutions of up to 350 m3.
Key Features
StS gruppens habitat systems consist of
a variety of functional and safety related
components.
StS gruppen
Besides flexibility, the system is designed
to offer a convenient, efficient and safe
working environment.
Scaffold Skeleton
The habitat assembly requires a limited amount of scaffolding compo-
nents to build a supporting frame for the lining panels.
The unique flexibility of the scaffolding frame, enables the habitat to
be built around almost any obstacle, in any shape and size. The habitat
can therefore be erected virtually anywhere.
Feedthroughs
A standard habitat has two sealed feedthroughs for pipes up to 42 or
several smaller pipes.
For more complex pipe configuration it is possible to install separate
panels with extra inlets/outlets.
Doors
All doors are self-closing and made of aluminium. For visibility and
safety reasons, the doors are equipped with windows.
In general, doors should open outwards (away from the habitat.)
Airlock
In some cases it is necessary to have extra safety barrier. By installing
an airlock, personnel can move in and out of the habitat without expos-
ing the habitats atmosphere to hazardous gases.
In some areas where space is limited it could be difficult to place an air
lock. In that case, maintaining the safety barrier is possible by installing
a deluge water curtain.
Fan
The positive pressure in a habitat is maintained by deploying ATEX
certified fans approved for Zone 1.
All fans are equipped with gas detectors
Emergency stop
The shutdown system is additionally equipped with two emergency
stops inside and outside the habitat.
 Safety Rules & Regulations
Safety,

Executing hot work at hazardous locations requires utmost

attention to safety.
Several safety barriers have to be combined in order to create
an adequate environment. Proper risk assessment and training
are other key issues.

Certification Automatic Shut-down

All relevant equipment used for the operation of the habitat is certified Key feature of StS gruppens safety system is the automatic system
and approved for ATEX Zone 1. shutdown.
The fans StS gruppen deploys are driven by Ex-certified air motors The shutdown is automatically triggered when one of the following
or Ex-certified electrical motors equipped with Ex-certified dampers. criteria is met:
 Gas detection
Procedures  Loss of overpressure
StS gruppen had devised detailed procedures for the installation and  High temperature
operation of habitats.
 Rapid temperature increase
Risk Management procedures include Safe Job Analysis and Toolbox  Equipment malfunction
Meetings.
 Emergency stop
All checklists and manuals in use are approved by the internationally
 Change in installation status
recognised certification body DNV (Det Norske Veritas).
StS gruppens automatic shutdown system is protected by patent.

Standard Habitat set-up

The Norwegian rules and regulations governing the oil and gas
industry are one of the strictest in the world.
The NORSOK standard is specially designed to accommodate
all safety and quality issues in the petroleum sector and has

NORSOK Standard S-001 - Regulations by the Petroleum Safety

Technical Safety Authority Norway
www.stsgruppen.com

The NORSOK standard S-001 is of more general nature and describes

The regulations by the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (SPA) are
the principles and requirements for the development of the safety
focussing on HSE-related issues and are divided into the following
design for offshore production installations; fixed platforms, semi-
areas of application:
submersibles and vessels.
The NORSOK standards can be obtained from the following web page:  Framework HSE
 www.standard.no/en  Management
 Information duty
 Facilities
 Activities
 Generation 1 StS
gruppen

Generation 1 of StS gruppens habitat systems is also called the

Flexi Habitat.

The It is the first habitat system to offer the patented automatic

setter shutdown feature developed by the company.

trend Besides the automatic shutdown controlled by the central unit,

the system is equipped with two emergency stops.

Components Length of cables supply Weight Power supply

Central 30 m can be extended 105 kg 220 V / 16 amp 50/60 hz
Gas detector 4 pc 30 m 7 kg -
Emergency light 15 m 4 kg -
Alarm in habitat 15 m 7 kg -
Manometer Emergency stop 30 m 7 kg -
Earth fault - 30 mA -
Work station 30 m 120 kg 440/ 480/ 520 V / 63 amp
Fan air motor 30 m 254 kg 220 V / 16 amp 50/60 hz
Fan Electric 30 / 60 m 190 kg 220 V / 16 amp 50/60 hz
Ducting air 200 mm / 300 mm 30 m 100 m 1 kg per m -

Generation 2
In Generation 2, StS gruppen has managed to cut the system
down to its core functionality.
The ce
Due to advanced modifications, the fan can take over the

tessen shutdown control.

quin Generation 2 is a fail-safe system designed for smaller

operations. The gas detector is integrated into the fan.

Components Length of cables supply Weight Power supply

Central Manometer Emergency stop 80 m can be extended 20 kg 110/220 V / 16 amp
Gas detector 1 In fan - -
Emergency light 15 m 4 kg -
Alarm in habitat 30 m 6 kg -
Shutdown welding unit 80 m - 220 V
Earth fault - 30 mA -
Fan air motor 30 m 252 kg 220 V / 16 amp
Fan Electric 30 / 60 m 258 kg 220 V / 16 amp 50/60 hz
Ducting air 200mm 300 mm 30 m 100 m 1 kg per m -
 Generation 3

Generation 3 is specifically designed to offer additional

The r
functions, e.g. for the simultaneous operation of multiple

taske habitats.

multi-
Living up to highest safety requirements , Generation 3 is
equipped with a completely re-designed control system for up
to 4 habitats.

Components Length of cables supply Weight Power supply

Central Manometer Emergency stop 100 m can be extended 15 kg 220 V / 16 amp
Gas detector 4 pcs. 30 m 7 kg -
Emergency light 15 m 4 kg -
Monitor 10 100 m 9 220 110 V 50/60 hz
Alarm in habitat 15 m 5 kg -
Earth fault - 30 mA -
Work station 30 m 50 kg 440/ 480/ 520 V 63 amp
Fan air motor 30 m 252 kg 220 V / 16 amp 50/60 hz
Fan Electric 30 / 60 m 258 kg 220 V / 16 amp 50/60 hz
Overpressure control Automatically - -
Ducting air 200 mm / 300 mm 30 m 100 m 1 kg per m -

Fan Specifications - all generations

Fan Specifications - similar for all three generations
Component Measurement / Dimension Type Weight / capacity
Air per min Stainless steal 2500- 3000 m3
Mounted on pallet 0.80 m x 1,20 m 1.10 m Aluminium 254 kg
Gas detector - Drager - set to 10% lel -
Damper / ducting 200 mm / 300 mm Bronce atex -
Emergency stop - Standard -
Electrical motor 220 volt 50/60 Hz Cemp / ABB 16 amp 220 V
Air motor Max pressure 6 bar Atlas Copco Air consumption, 7-21 litre
220 volt 50/60 Hz
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Battery backup system air system 5 min air motor - -

Flash light - (colour ) Red -
Pressure drop Both systems Set to 2,5 water column
 StS
gruppen

A B ITAT
Air gauge H
Emergency light
Internal alarm

Gas Fan
detector

Central unit
Pressure switch
220 V

Work station
440 V
Gas detectors

ITAT
HAB
T
HABITA
AT
HABIT
Fans
Air gauge
Emergency light
Internal alarm

Gas
detector
Pressure switches Central unit
220 V
Work stations
440 V

Monitor Gas detectors

 StSgruppen
StS gruppen as
Kanalveien 52
Pb 6085 Bedriftssenter
5892 Bergen
Tlf. +47 55 20 80 00
Fax +47 55 20 80 01
habitat@stsgruppen.com

www.stsgruppen.com