Making EEHA inspections smarter: mobile and AI tools

In environments where flammable gases, vapours or dust create potentially explosive atmospheres, Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Area inspections (EEHA) are essential for maintaining safety and compliance. These inspections fall under the requirements of standards such as IEC 60079-17/AS 60079.17 for inspection and maintenance of electrical installations in explosive atmospheres. The standards define both the scope and frequency of inspection types. Now, with the arrival of intrinsically safe mobile technology and sophisticated inspection platforms powered by AI, organisations can perform these inspections more efficiently and accurately while unlocking the benefits of true automation.

Understanding the three types of EEHA inspections

EEHA inspections are categorised into three main types, each with its own frequency and depth of examination:

1. Visual inspections

• Frequency: typically every 6 months, though high-risk zones may require monthly or quarterly intervals.
• Scope: detects visible faults without physical contact with the equipment.
• Examples: missing bolts, damaged enclosures, loose labels or signs, corrosion.

2. Close inspections

• Frequency: generally performed every 1 to 2 years.
• Scope: requires physical access and may involve opening covers or removing barriers without dismantling equipment.
• Examples: inspecting inside terminal boxes, verifying cable glands, checking internal seals.

3. Detailed inspections

• Frequency: usually conducted every 3 to 5 years, based on a documented risk assessment.
• Scope: a comprehensive examination, potentially including dismantling to inspect internal components.
• Examples: verifying internal wiring, inspecting insulation, checking conformance to original certification.

It’s crucial to recognise that these frequencies are not static. Frequencies must be adjusted based on the zone classification, environmental conditions, equipment type and inspection history. A risk-based approach is always recommended.

Before the inspection: automating scheduling and preparation

Inspection planning must account for the frequency, scope and risk profile of each asset. Automation ensures that the correct type of inspection is scheduled at the appropriate interval for each equipment item.

Modern inspection management systems offer a suite of features to streamline this process, including:

• Automated scheduling: intelligent assignment of visual, close or detailed inspections based on pre-defined compliance calendars.
• Inspector qualification management: verification of inspector certifications to align personnel expertise with the complexity of the assigned tasks.
• Seamless system integration: Connectivity with asset registers, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and permit-to-work workflows.
• Intelligent checklists: pre-populated inspection forms that are dynamically tailored to the specific inspection type and equipment category.
   

This approach improves accuracy and ensures that all tasks are aligned with regulatory obligations and site-specific risk assessments.

During the inspection: performing work with intrinsically safe devices

Certified intrinsically safe mobile devices make it possible to perform inspections within hazardous areas without compromising safety. These devices are designed to prevent ignition, making them suitable for Zones 0, 1 and 2.

Visual inspections benefit from:

• Quick photo capture with annotation capabilities for clear documentation.
• Efficient recording of voice notes for immediate context.
• Intuitive smart forms that guide inspectors through comprehensive external checks.
   

Close inspections use:

• Step-by-step digital checklists prompting inspection of internal components.
• Instant access to historical records and schematic diagrams directly in the field.
• Field validation rules that minimise the risk of overlooked steps.
   

Detailed inspections require:

• Access to full inspection history and manufacturer specifications.
• High-resolution imagery and voice-to-text features for documenting findings.
   

All inspections, regardless of type, are captured digitally and date/time-stamped, creating reliable and auditable records.

The AI advantage: injecting intelligence into inspections

AI now plays an important role in supporting hazardous area inspections. Integrated directly into the inspection platform, organisations can unlock deeper insights and make more informed decisions with greater speed.

Key AI-driven capabilities include:

• Intelligent image analysis — AI automatically analyses captured images to detect anomalies such as corrosion, cracks or improper terminations. This helps identify issues that might be missed during a manual, fast-paced inspection.
• Voice tag transcription and summarisation — inspectors can record verbal notes during inspections. AI converts these into structured text, and summarises key points and recommendations for inclusion in reports or corrective actions.
• Comparison and trend analysis — AI compares current inspection results against historical data to highlight deviations, recurring issues or potential risks. This helps trigger predictive maintenance activities and supports audit readiness.
• Automatic severity classification — AI can prioritise issues based on predefined criteria, reducing subjectivity and helping teams act on critical faults without delay.
   

By embedding AI into the inspection workflow, organisations can gain deeper insight into equipment performance and reduce the time between issue identification and effective resolution.

Post-inspection automation: from data to actionable insights

Automation ensures that inspections do not end with data collection. Once the inspection is completed, the system processes the results instantly.

These capabilities include:

• Automatic report generation: instantaneous creation of comprehensive inspection reports.
• Automated workflow initiation: triggering of corrective maintenance workflows based on inspection findings.
• AI-powered data analysis: intelligent analysis of images, voice notes and overall inspection data to identify trends and potential risks.
• Real-time performance monitoring: generation of key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards providing clear visibility into compliance status, turnaround times for corrective actions and issue tracking.
• Seamless system integration: integration with computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) and ERP systems to optimise asset management processes.
   

The rich inspection data transforms into actionable insights, becoming measurable and readily accessible across relevant departments, significantly enhancing organisational responsiveness and future planning.

A new era for EEHA inspections

Whether conducting a routine visual inspection, a structured close check, or a comprehensive detailed evaluation, the synergy of intrinsically safe devices and AI-enhanced inspection platforms offers significant advantages:

• Accurate and safe data capture in hazardous environments.
• Full compliance with AS/NZS and IEC standards.
• Real-time visibility and faster decision-making.
• Reduced administrative overhead and improved audit readiness.
• Intelligent assistance in identifying and prioritising defects.
   

This is not simply digitising paperwork. It is a connected, intelligent inspection process designed to improve safety, ensure compliance and streamline operations in some of the most demanding environments.

The future of EEHA inspections is here. Smart, mobile and AI-enabled.

Image credit: iStock.com/puhimec. Stock image used is for illustrative purposes only.