Hydrogen needs IIC
Ammonia synthesis uses hydrogen. The design target of II 2 G Ex ib IIC T4 is aimed at that group, with exact scope given by the certificate.
Czech Republic · Chemicals and coal chemistry
Explosion proof mobile phone for chemicals and coal chemistry in the Czech Republic
An explosion proof mobile phone for the chemicals and coal chemistry sector in the Czech Republic has to cope with three quite different plants: PVC at Neratovice, coal tar and benzol processing at Valašské Meziříčí, and nitrogen fertilisers at Lovosice. This page is for the operators and contractors who decide what may be carried into them, and it starts from the observation that no single hazard profile covers all three. The IS-04Z1 is designed around intrinsic safety rather than a flameproof enclosure.
Launching Q4 2026 · ATEX programme in progress
Local approvalATEXEU Directive 2014/34/EU · nařízení vlády 116/2016 Sb. · in progress
AvailabilityQ4 2026via authorised distributors
The sector · Chemicals and coal chemistry
Explosion proof mobile phone for Czech chemical and coal chemistry plants
Spolana at Neratovice makes PVC and is part of the Unipetrol group; it stopped its mercury-cell chlorine electrolysis in 2017 and buys EDC for PVC production. Deza at Valašské Meziříčí belongs to the Agrofert group and processes coal tar and crude benzol from coke oven by-products into naphthalene, phthalic anhydride, phenols, cresols, pitch and aromatic solvents. Lovochemie at Lovosice, also in Agrofert, is the largest Czech fertiliser producer, with ammonia synthesis and nitrogen and NPK fertilisers in solid and liquid form. The hazards differ sharply. Spolana has flammable and toxic EDC and VCM and PVC powder. Deza has benzene and other aromatic vapours, hot tar and dusty solids. Lovochemie has hydrogen and ammonia in the synthesis units and fertiliser dust in granulation and bagging. For the sector as a whole the sensible conclusion is that a device is chosen for the highest gas group present, and the classification at each plant decides where it can go.
Operators in the sector
- Spolana
- PVC and inorganic chemicals at Neratovice; see the explosion proof phone for Spolana page.
- Deza
- Coal tar and benzol processing at Valašské Meziříčí, part of Agrofert.
- Lovochemie
- Ammonia and nitrogen fertilisers at Lovosice on the Elbe, part of Agrofert.
- Orlen Unipetrol
- Group owner of Spolana; see explosion proof phone for Orlen Unipetrol.
Classified units and areas
- PVC process and powder
- EDC and VCM handling, drying and bagging at Neratovice.
- Tar distillation and benzol
- Heated tar columns and aromatic vapour areas at Deza.
- Ammonia synthesis
- Hydrogen and ammonia service at Lovosice.
- Granulation and bagging
- Fertiliser dust areas, assessed by the operator.
- River and rail loading
- Dispatch areas where product moves out.
Built for several chemistries
What mixed chemistry asks of a handset
Where the chemistry is varied, the useful question is not whether a device is rated but where the rating stops.
IP ratingIP68
Battery4,000 mAh
Camera50 MP
OSAndroid 16
Powder and gas together
PVC powder, fertiliser and tar-derived solids bring dust classification into play, and Zone 21 sits in the same programme.
Toxicity is a separate protection
EDC, ammonia and benzene are toxic as well as flammable. Gas detection and emergency procedures cover that, and the handset works alongside them.
Old plants, new drawings
Plants extended over many decades leave classification drawings of mixed vintage. A broadly rated device suits that better than a narrow one.
Winter and wash-down
IP68 sealing is aimed at wash-down and Czech winters; certified ambient limits will be on the datasheet.
Use cases · Chemicals and coal chemistry
Where the IS-04Z1 goes to work.
Operations01
Plant rounds
Operators at Neratovice, Valašské Meziříčí and Lovosice record readings and photograph defects across process, tank and loading areas, then pass them to the shift supervisor without leaving the unit.
Maintenance02
Permit-controlled repairs
Maintenance crews carry the permit, the isolation list and the relevant drawing on a restricted handset, which the plant can wipe and re-issue when an outside contractor leaves.
Dispatch03
River and rail loading
Loading crews at the river and rail points record loads, seals and incidents from the spot, in areas where powder and vapour may both be present.
Procurement and access
What suppliers should expect to be asked
No registration route for these companies has been verified, so none is named. Ask each plant's procurement and HSE teams.
- Separate reviews
- Spolana, Deza and Lovochemie are different companies with different reviews.
- Certificate
- ATEX certificate and Czech documents, not yet issued for the IS-04Z1.
- Classification basis
- Ask for the hazard assessment, not just the zone.
- Group context
- Check whether a parent group applies its own requirements.
Questions · Chemicals and coal chemistry
Frequently asked questions
Is the IS-04Z1 certified for chemical plants yet?
No. It is pre-launch and ATEX certification is in progress ahead of the Q4 2026 launch.
Does Spolana still make chlorine?
Spolana ended mercury-cell chlorine electrolysis in November 2017 and says it now buys EDC for PVC.
Are coal tar products a standard gas rating case?
Benzene and aromatic vapours fall in the lower gas groups, but tar and solids have their own hazards. The certificate states its scope.
Is fertiliser dust an explosion dust?
It depends on the product. Operators carry out their own dust assessment for granulation and bagging.
Enquiry · Chemicals and coal chemistry
Ask about the IS-04Z1 for Chemicals and coal chemistry, Czech Republic
Tell us the site, the zone and gas group, and roughly how many handsets. The SAMS team replies by email with the datasheet and the certification schedule for Czech Republic. The IS-04Z1 is pre-launch and certification is in progress, so there is no list price yet; indicative pricing is issued in writing against a stated quantity and site.
Enquiry · Chemicals and coal chemistry
Launching Q4 2026
Evaluating the IS-04Z1 for this site?
Tell us the zone, gas group and operator. We will send the datasheet and the certification schedule for your market.