When you need to deploy surveillance cameras in a Class 1 Division 1 or Division 2 hazardous area, you have two options: buy a purpose-built explosion-proof camera, or put your existing camera inside a custom explosion-proof housing. This guide explains when each approach makes sense – and when custom housings are the smarter, more cost-effective choice.
What Is a Custom Explosion-Proof Camera Housing?
A custom explosion-proof housing is a certified enclosure engineered to contain any internal ignition source – preventing it from igniting the surrounding hazardous atmosphere. The housing itself is ATEX and/or IECEx certified, and it’s designed to fit a specific camera model so the camera inside can be used normally, even in Class 1 Div 1 environments.
2M Technology builds custom explosion-proof housings for cameras from Verkada, Cisco Meraki, Hikvision, Axis, Ubiquiti UniFi, GeoVision, and many other manufacturers.
Custom Housing vs. Stock Explosion-Proof Camera: Key Differences
| Factor | Custom Explosion-Proof Housing | Stock Ex-Proof Camera |
|---|---|---|
| Camera brand flexibility | Use any camera brand you choose | Locked to the manufacturer’s camera |
| VMS compatibility | Full – your camera, your VMS | Limited to manufacturer’s ecosystem |
| Cost | Often lower – reuse existing cameras | Higher per unit |
| Lead time | 2M Technology: fast US-based production | Often long import lead times |
| Certification | Housing is ATEX/IECEx certified | Camera unit is ATEX/IECEx certified |
| Feature parity | Full camera features (PTZ, AI, LPR) | Limited to what manufacturer offers |
| Upgrade path | Swap camera, keep the housing | Replace entire unit |
| Verkada compatible | Yes | No – Verkada has no Ex-proof camera |
5 Reasons Custom Housings Win for Most Industrial Deployments
1. Keep Your Camera Ecosystem Intact
If your facility already runs Verkada, Cisco Meraki, or Hikvision cameras, adding a stock explosion-proof camera from a different manufacturer means managing two separate VMS platforms. A custom 2M housing lets your hazardous area cameras live in the same Verkada Command or Hikvision HikCentral dashboard as every other camera on site.
2. Access Features Stock Ex-Proof Cameras Don’t Have
Stock explosion-proof cameras are often older designs with limited resolution, no AI analytics, and no LPR capability. A 2M custom housing can hold a modern 4K PTZ camera with built-in AI, giving you capabilities that don’t exist in any off-the-shelf explosion-proof unit.
3. Future-Proof Your Investment
When camera technology advances, a custom housing doesn’t become obsolete. Swap in a newer camera model and reuse the certified housing. Stock explosion-proof cameras require full unit replacement – housing and camera – every upgrade cycle.
4. US-Based Production = Fast Lead Times
Most stock explosion-proof cameras are manufactured overseas with 8-16 week lead times. 2M Technology produces custom housings at our US facility, dramatically reducing lead times for urgent project timelines.
5. ATEX and IECEx Certified
2M Technology’s custom housings carry proper ATEX and IECEx certifications – meeting the same compliance standards as purpose-built explosion-proof cameras. The certification covers the enclosure, which is what matters for hazardous area compliance.
Which Camera Brands Work with 2M Custom Housings?
2M Technology has built certified housings for cameras from:
- Verkada – including the MV52, MV63, MV32, and other models
- Cisco Meraki – MV series cameras
- Hikvision – fixed dome, PTZ, and bullet cameras
- Ubiquiti UniFi – G4, G5 series
- GeoVision – IP camera range
- Axis – custom housing design available
Don’t see your camera? Contact our engineering team – we design custom housings for new camera models regularly.
What Hazardous Areas Are These Housings Rated For?
2M Technology custom explosion-proof housings are designed for:
- Class 1, Division 1 – flammable gases or vapors present under normal operating conditions
- Class 1, Division 2 – flammable gases present only under abnormal conditions
- ATEX Zone 1 and Zone 2 – equivalent European classification
- IECEx – international standard for equipment in explosive atmospheres
Industries That Use 2M Custom Explosion-Proof Housings
- Oil and gas – refineries, pipelines, wellheads, storage facilities
- Chemical and petrochemical plants
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing (solvent handling areas)
- Cannabis extraction facilities
- Scrap metal and recycling (combustible dust – Class II)
- Mining operations
- Grain and food processing (combustible dust)
- Paint spray booths and finishing operations
Frequently Asked Questions
Does putting a standard camera in an explosion-proof housing make it compliant?
Yes – when the housing itself carries the ATEX or IECEx certification and is properly installed and sealed, the contained camera meets hazardous area compliance requirements. The certification applies to the enclosure, not the camera inside.
How long does it take to build a custom housing?
Lead times vary by complexity. Contact 2M Technology for a current production timeline. US-based production means significantly faster delivery than imported alternatives.
Can I use a PTZ camera in an explosion-proof housing?
Yes. 2M Technology builds explosion-proof housings for PTZ cameras, allowing pan, tilt, and zoom functionality in hazardous environments – something most stock explosion-proof cameras cannot match.
Ready to spec a custom explosion-proof housing for your camera? View our housing options or request a free engineering consultation.
