Suncor: industry on the ground
Suncor operates refineries in Edmonton, Sarnia, Montreal and Commerce City in Colorado, supplying industrial, retail and commercial customers, so hazardous areas span several provinces and one US state.
Suncor is based in Calgary and owns and operates an oil sands upgrading plant near Fort McMurray in Alberta, and is described as the world's largest producer of bitumen. It operates oil sands sites near Fort McMurray and holds a majority stake in Syncrude, with refineries in Edmonton, Sarnia, Montreal and Commerce City, Colorado. This page sets out how an explosion proof mobile phone supply route to Suncor will work for the IS-04Z1, and what is and is not available before launch.
Pre-launch · certification in progress · Launching Q4 2026
Short answer. An explosion proof mobile phone for Suncor cannot be bought yet: the SAMS IS-04Z1 is pre-launch (certification in progress, no certificate issued), and the datasheet, certification schedule and safe-area evaluation units are available now.
Where things stand: the IS-04Z1 has not launched, and none of its four certification routes has produced a certificate yet. An operator's own vendor approval is a separate step. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
| Check | What to look for | IS-04Z1 today |
|---|---|---|
| Protection concept | Flameproof (Ex d) or intrinsic safety (Ex i) | Intrinsic safety, level ib |
| Zone suitability | Zone 1 gas and Zone 21 dust | Design target for Zone 1 and 21 |
| Certificate | Number, issuing body and schedule of conditions | In progress; not issued |
| Where it applies | Suncor: Oil sands extraction and upgrading, Refinery process units, Fuel terminals | Classified by the site operator |

An intrinsically safe Android smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous areas in Canada. It is pre-launch: IECEx, ATEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
Where it operates and the kinds of classified area a handset would meet there.
Prospective suppliers complete an intake form on Suncor's website; if capabilities match its needs they may be contacted for registration and pre-qualification, and high-volume goods suppliers may be asked to transact on SAP Ariba Network. The Ex certificate and an organisation's own vendor or engineering approval are two separate timelines; SAMS is working towards both and holds neither today.
Suncor operates refineries in Edmonton, Sarnia, Montreal and Commerce City in Colorado, supplying industrial, retail and commercial customers, so hazardous areas span several provinces and one US state.
The Strathcona refinery near Edmonton runs entirely on oil sands based feedstocks at 135,000 barrels a day, while the Montreal refinery handles 137,000 barrels a day and makes asphalts, solvents and petrochemicals.
The Sarnia refinery in Ontario is listed at 85,000 barrels a day, so Ontario's Chemical Valley area is also part of Suncor's downstream footprint.
Suncor's 2009 merger with Petro-Canada created a combined company worth about C$43.3 billion, and in October 2023 it bought TotalEnergies' Canadian operations for C$1.47 billion.
“Explosion proof” is the phrase most buyers use for equipment that may be taken into a classified hazardous area. Strictly, it covers several protection concepts: a flameproof enclosure (Ex d) contains an internal explosion, while intrinsic safety (Ex i) limits electrical energy so that an ignition cannot start. Phones are normally intrinsically safe, because a flameproof handset would be too heavy to carry all shift.
The IS-04Z1 uses intrinsic safety, with a marking target of Ex ib IIC T4, and is designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21. It is pre-launch, certification is in progress and no certificate has been issued.
In Suncor. At oil sands extraction and upgrading units and at refineries, people use 'explosion-proof' loosely. Flameproof Ex d protects fixed motors and enclosures, while intrinsic safety limits what a portable device can release. A phone carried on rounds at Sarnia or Firebag is a handheld, which is why the IS-04Z1 is designed around intrinsic safety.
Supply of the IS-04Z1 to Suncor starts only after certification, through authorised distributors. Until then a buyer can request the datasheet and the written certification schedule, and arrange a safe-area evaluation unit, which puts the site on the list for the right local channel at launch.
The technical specification, marking target and conditions of use, sent by email.
Which certificates are in progress, in what order, and what is still to be confirmed.
Evaluation units can be used for connectivity, MDM enrolment and workflow testing outside classified areas.
Tell us the site, zone, gas group and quantity so the right authorised distributor can contact you.
Not today. Until the certificates are issued the IS-04Z1 stays out of classified areas, and until launch there is nothing to purchase. You can ask for the datasheet and the certification schedule, or book a safe-area evaluation unit.
SAMS has not published a price. Any figure you are offered for an uncertified Ex phone should be treated with caution; written indicative pricing is available for a defined quantity and site.
It is intrinsically safe (marking target Ex ib IIC T4), which is the usual way to make a phone for hazardous areas. It is not a flameproof (Ex d) design, and certification is still in progress.
Prospective suppliers complete an intake form on Suncor's website; if capabilities match its needs they may be contacted for registration and pre-qualification, and high-volume goods suppliers may be asked to transact on SAP Ariba Network.
Through authorised distributors once certificates exist. Until then SAMS can send the datasheet and certification schedule and arrange safe-area evaluation units.
Syncrude is a joint venture that Suncor now operates, and it keeps its own site procedures, contractor induction and permit systems. Treat it as a separate approval, and confirm with Syncrude's safety and procurement teams which certifications and trials they require.
Quebec commonly expects French-language workplace documents, and each province has its own electrical safety authority. Confirm with the Montreal or Sarnia site which labelling, language and certification marks are accepted before supplying portable devices.
Prospective suppliers complete an intake form on Suncor's website, and may be contacted for registration and pre-qualification. High-volume goods suppliers may be asked to use SAP Ariba Network. Check the current process with Suncor. The IS-04Z1 is not yet certified, so no supply route is open.
More on Suncor, and on other places in Canada.
Send the site, zone and gas group and roughly how many handsets. We reply by email with the datasheet and the certification schedule.
Tell us the zone, gas group and operator. We will send the datasheet and the certification schedule.