Estuary location
The terminals are on the Thames estuary in Essex, not inside Greater London, so site access involves road transfers from the capital.
London · explosion proof
Explosion-Proof Smartphone Distributor in London
The Port of London covers the tidal Thames from Teddington Lock to a boundary line out in the North Sea, is governed by the Port of London Authority (a public trust since 1908), and was the UK's largest port in 2020. Gas network and utility sites add smaller classified areas. Distribution partners for London and the Thames are being identified ahead of the Q4 2026 launch of the IS-04Z1.
Pre-launch · certification in progress · Launching Q4 2026
Marking targetEx ib IIC T4Intrinsic safety, Zone 1 / 21 design target · certification in progress
AvailabilityQ4 2026via authorised distributors
Search topicexplosion proof
DeviceSmartphone
RouteDistribution
WhereLondon
Short answer. London and the Thames has no appointed SAMS distributor yet: the IS-04Z1 is pre-launch (certification in progress, no certificate issued, launch planned for Q4 2026), and distributor applications are open.
For the record, no certificate exists for the IS-04Z1 today. The programme is under way ahead of a Q4 2026 launch. An operator's own vendor approval is a separate step. Certification status. Place facts reviewed October 2026.
At a glance · explosion proof
Checklist: explosion proof smartphone for London and the Thames
| 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 | London and the Thames: Road tanker loading, Gas network sites, Fuel storage terminals | Classified by the site operator |
Product · London
The product behind this search: the SAMS IS-04Z1.
SAMS IS-04Z1
An intrinsically safe Android smartphone designed for Zone 1 and Zone 21 hazardous areas in London. It is pre-launch: IECEx, ATEX and NEC 500 certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
- IP68 sealed
- 4,000 mAh battery
- 50 MP camera
- Android 16
- Zone 1 / Zone 21 design target
The site · London and the Thames
London and the Thames at a glance: who is there, what is classified
A short profile of the site and the kinds of classified area that matter for portable equipment.
Operators and companies on site
- Greenergy
- Shell
- Navigator Terminals
Classified areas to expect
- Fuel storage terminals
- Marine jetties
- Road tanker loading
- Gas network sites
Local conditions · London and the Thames
What London and the Thames means for portable equipment
Thames Oilport
The former Coryton refinery, which stopped refining in 2012 after Petroplus collapsed, became a fuel import terminal. Greenergy holds two thirds and Shell one third after Greenergy bought Vopak's share.
Field notes · London and the Thames
More about London and the Thames that matters for portable equipment
London and the Thames: infrastructure
The Thames is tidal and London is vulnerable to flooding, a risk that has grown with rising high-water levels, which affects riverside and low-lying industrial sites.
London and the Thames: background
London is Europe's largest city economy and one of the world's major financial centres, so many suppliers, consultancies and head offices that approve equipment are based there.
London and the Thames: geography and layout
London stands on the River Thames at the head of a 50 mile tidal estuary down to the North Sea, with 9.14 million residents in 2025 and a metropolitan area of 15.4 million.
London and the Thames: background
The Port of London expanded downstream in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the Underground, the world's first urban rail network, was created to ease traffic congestion.
The term · explosion proof
What “explosion proof” means for a smartphone
“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 London and the Thames. Near London, 'explosion-proof' at a fuel terminal usually means equipment suitable around tank vents, jetty hose connections and road tanker loading, and sometimes gas network sites. Flameproof Ex d suits fixed items, while intrinsic safety suits a portable device. Terminal operators set the concept area by area under DSEAR.
The route · distribution
Distributing the IS-04Z1 in London
SAMS is appointing authorised distributors ahead of the Q4 2026 launch. No territory has been granted for London and the Thames yet and applications are reviewed company by company. Because a certified Ex device cannot be opened by an ordinary phone workshop without invalidating its certificate, SAMS looks for partners who can provide competent technical support and after-sales service locally.
What SAMS looks for in a partner
- Operator relationships
- Existing supplier registrations or a clear route to them with the main operators and contractors in London and the Thames.
- Ex-competent staff
- People who understand zone classification, markings and the conditions of a certificate.
And equally important
- Local-language support
- Documentation, training and helpdesk in the languages the workforce uses.
- Service capability
- Spares, battery replacement and repair routed through SAMS-approved channels.
Questions · London
Frequently asked questions
Can we buy an explosion proof smartphone in London today?
No. Nothing can be bought or taken into a classified area today: certification is in progress and launch is planned for Q4 2026. What is available now is the datasheet, the written certification schedule and evaluation units for safe-area use.
What does an explosion proof smartphone in London cost?
There is no list price yet. SAMS gives indicative pre-launch pricing in writing, against a stated quantity and site, and does not commit to a lead time before certification completes.
Is the IS-04Z1 explosion proof or intrinsically safe?
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.
Which areas at London and the Thames would use it?
Likely candidates are fuel storage terminals, marine jetties, road tanker loading, gas network sites. Which areas are classified, and to what zone, is set by the site operator's own area classification drawings.
How do I become a SAMS distributor for London and the Thames?
Apply through the distributor page with your company details and the territory you cover. SAMS reviews applications company by company and has not yet granted a territory for London and the Thames.
Who should I contact about explosive atmospheres in London workplaces?
Employers are responsible under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive or local authorities, and the London Fire Brigade handles fire safety. Ask the premises for its hazardous-area register and risk assessment.
Is London a hazardous-area site or mainly a place for meetings and approvals?
Mainly the latter. Head offices, regulators, consultants and insurers are concentrated in London, while major process plants and terminals are in estuary and regional locations elsewhere. Confirm the actual site and its classification before assuming any hazardous-area requirement.
Does London have refineries or only terminals?
No refinery. The former Coryton refinery stopped refining in 2012 and became the Thames Oilport fuel import terminal, and a large terminal operates at West Thurrock in Essex. Both are on the Thames estuary outside Greater London. Confirm access and equipment requirements with the site operator.
Related guides
Keep exploring
Related guides for London and for United Kingdom.
IECEx Mobile Phone in LondonSame place, different guide
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone in LondonSame place, different guide
Intrinsically Safe Mobile Phone Distributor in LondonSame place, different guide
Hazardous Area Mobile Phone Distributor in LondonSame place, different guide
Ex-Proof Mobile Phone in LondonSame place, different guide
Rugged Mobile Phone in LondonSame place, different guide
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Distributor in WalesElsewhere in United Kingdom
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Distributor in NorwichElsewhere in United Kingdom
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Distributor in EnglandElsewhere in United Kingdom
ATEX and IECEx Mobile Phone Distributor in ScotlandElsewhere in United Kingdom
United Kingdom market guideCertification route and regulators
All guides for United KingdomEvery route we cover
Certification statusWhat is in progress
Enquiry · London and the Thames
Ask about the IS-04Z1 for London and the Thames, United Kingdom
Tell us what you need to equip and where. The SAMS team answers by email with the datasheet and where each certification route stands.
Enquiry · London and the Thames
Launching Q4 2026
Planning for London?
Send the zone and gas group of your site and we will reply with the datasheet and schedule.