IEC 60079-17 · Hazardous Area Inspection
ATEX & Ex Equipment Inspection Services in Singapore
Digital, data-driven Ex inspections to IEC 60079-17 — building and maintaining your hazardous-area equipment register so you stay compliant, audit-ready and operating safely.
Why Ex inspection matters
In an explosive atmosphere, a single non-conforming fitting can be an ignition source. Inspection is how you prove it isn't.
The risk is physical
Loose glands, damaged flameproof joints, breached IP enclosures and incorrect equipment selection degrade protection over time. Routine, documented inspection catches deterioration before it becomes an ignition source in Zone 0/1/2 or dust Zone 20/21/22 areas.
The proof is the record
Regular, documented Ex inspection — anchored to a maintained equipment register — is how operators demonstrate due diligence and stay audit-ready. A complete inspection history per tag is your evidence that protection is being maintained.
What we inspect
Every recognised Ex protection concept, across gas and dust hazardous areas — ATEX and IECEx certified equipment.
Equipment protection types
Flameproof
Enclosures that contain an internal explosion and prevent transmission to the surrounding atmosphere.
Increased safety
Measures preventing arcs, sparks and excess temperatures on equipment that doesn't normally produce them.
Intrinsic safety
Energy in the circuit limited below that needed to cause ignition — covering ia / ib loops and barriers.
Pressurisation
Enclosures kept at positive pressure with protective gas to exclude the explosive atmosphere.
Non-sparking
Type of protection for Zone 2, where ignition-capable faults are not expected in normal operation.
Dust protection
Enclosure protection by limitation of surface temperature and dust ingress for combustible-dust zones.
Hazardous area classifications
Explosive gas atmosphere present continuously or for long periods
Category 1 equipmentExplosive gas atmosphere likely during normal operation
Category 2 equipmentExplosive gas atmosphere unlikely, or only for a brief period
Category 3 equipmentCombustible dust present continuously or for long periods
Category 1 equipmentCombustible dust likely during normal operation
Category 2 equipmentCombustible dust unlikely, or only for a brief period
Category 3 equipmentInspection grades & types
Per IEC 60079-17 — we scope the right grade and frequency for your installation and risk.
| Grade | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Visual | Identifies defects apparent to the eye — without tools or access equipment, and without de-energising. |
| Close | A visual inspection plus defects apparent only with access equipment and tools — e.g. loosened fasteners. Generally no de-energising. |
| Detailed | A close inspection plus defects revealed only by opening enclosures and/or using tools and test equipment. May require de-energising / a permit. |
| Type | When it applies |
|---|---|
| Initial | Carried out on installation, before equipment is first put into service — verifying selection and installation conform. |
| Periodic | Repeated at intervals set by risk assessment to confirm installations remain in a satisfactory condition. |
| Continuous | Frequent, sample-based supervision by skilled personnel, used in place of fixed-interval periodic inspection where appropriate. |
Powered by Inspectio
Our digital approach
Smart, data-driven checklists that adapt to your equipment data — replacing paper trails with a live, auditable record. We deliver inspections on Inspectio, an Ex-inspection platform purpose-built for hazardous-area work and proven in the offshore industry.
IEC 60079-17 task templates
Pre-built inspection templates aligned to the standard, so scope is set up correctly and immediately for every protection type.
Central equipment database
A searchable, filterable hazardous-area register structured by location, with area schematics and location markers per tag.
Mobile field execution
Inspectors update records in real time in harsh, remote environments — the platform works offline and syncs when reconnected.
Photo-verified evidence
Evidence captured against each tag. Deviations and anomalies are flagged and tracked through to closure.
Automated reporting
An inspection report is generated and attached to the relevant equipment the moment a task is completed.
Portfolio dashboards
Live visibility of inspection progress, equipment status and overdue actions — per asset or across the whole portfolio.
Industry results reported by Inspectio, not guaranteed ISEP outcomes. Inspectio →
Our process
A repeatable workflow that turns a one-off inspection into a maintained, defensible compliance record.
- 1
Scope & area review
Confirm area classification, equipment population, protection types and the appropriate grade and frequency.
- 2
Register build / import
Build or import your hazardous-area equipment register — structured by location, with tags, certificates and schematics.
- 3
Field inspection
Visual, close or detailed inspection executed on mobile against IEC 60079-17 templates, with photo evidence per tag.
- 4
Anomaly flagging
Deviations recorded, risk-ranked and tracked — so nothing closes without resolution or a documented decision.
- 5
Reporting & recommendations
Per-tag reports generated automatically, with a prioritised defect list and clear remedial recommendations.
- 6
Re-inspection scheduling
Next-due dates set per tag and surfaced on dashboards, keeping the installation continuously audit-ready.
What you receive
Tangible deliverables you can hand to an auditor or regulator.
Digital Ex equipment register
A live, searchable hazardous-area register with full inspection & maintenance history per tag.
Per-tag inspection reports
Photo-verified reports attached to each item of equipment, exportable for records and audits.
Anomaly / defect list
A risk-ranked schedule of deviations with recommended remedial actions and priority.
Compliance documentation pack
A consolidated pack evidencing inspection to IEC 60079-17 — ready for due-diligence and audit.
Why ISEP
A Singapore electrical & instrumentation engineering firm trusted across hazardous-area industries.
Sectors served: oilfield services · petrochemical · pharmaceutical · marine & offshore.
Request an inspection or get a quote
Tell us your area classification and equipment population — we'll scope the right inspection programme.
ISEP (S) Pte Ltd
Block 3015A Ubi Road 1, Singapore 408705
Frequently asked questions
We inspect electrical installations in explosive atmospheres to IEC 60079-17. That covers visual, close and detailed inspection grades and initial, periodic and continuous inspection types, applied to ATEX and IECEx certified equipment.
An initial inspection is carried out before equipment is first energised, followed by periodic inspections at intervals set by risk assessment, or continuous (sample-based) supervision. We help you set defensible intervals as part of scoping — and document them against the WSH Act framework and applicable Singapore Standards.
Ex d (flameproof), Ex e (increased safety), Ex i (intrinsic safety), Ex p (pressurisation), Ex n / Ex ec and Ex t (dust). We work across gas Zones 0, 1 and 2 and dust Zones 20, 21 and 22.
It's a structured database of every item of hazardous-area equipment — by tag and location — holding certificates, protection type and full inspection & maintenance history. It's the backbone of a defensible compliance programme and your primary evidence during an audit.
We use Inspectio — an Ex-inspection platform with IEC 60079-17 task templates, a central equipment database, offline mobile field execution, photo-verified evidence, automated report generation and portfolio dashboards. Records are captured once, in the field, and stay linked to the equipment.
Oilfield services, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and marine & offshore — the hazardous-area industries where Ex inspection is most critical. ISEP brings 26+ years and 5000+ completed projects to this work.