CSA Group, a global provider of testing and certification services and leading standards development organization, opened its expanded hazardous locations laboratory in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The new lab will specialize in testing and certification services for hazardous locations such as equipment used in oil, gas, mining, marine and fertilizer production. In addition, CSA Group also opened its first facility capable of testing windows and doors offering performance testing including to environmental requirements.

"CSA Group is a world leader in explosive atmosphere testing, and our services for hazardous location testing and certification are growing to meet the needs of our oil and gas clients in Alberta and throughout Canada," said Nashir Jiwani, Vice President, Canada, CSA Group. "We are also committed to developing leading standards and building world-class facilities to meet the needs of our clients around the world."

The addition to the explosive atmosphere testing lab allows the testing of large and heavy samples year-round and includes new thermal condition chambers offering multiple synchronized testing, company officials said. The expansion doubles the testing capacity of the lab to provide localized service for the increasing needs for explosive atmosphere testing and certification in Alberta and North America.

According to the firm, its new windows and doors laboratory is the first of its kind for CSA Group. It allows for testing of samples up to 12 feet by 12 feet and is accredited to ISO 17025. Typically, windows and doors are affected by a wide variety of conditions that affect performance and durability. CSA Group will offer 37 different tests offering a comprehensive range covering both testing for environmental assessments as well as durability and energy efficiency testing.

"CSA Group's state-of-the art windows and doors lab specializes in testing new windows and doors to North American fenestration requirements. Manufacturers will be required to have their products tested to these standards under the updated National Building Code," Jiwani added. "Our new lab will provide added value to our clients and as they achieve the necessary certifications for North American markets, including environmental testing which is increasingly important to consumers."

CSA Group provides hazardous locations testing and certifications for North America, the European Union, ATEX and IECEx certification. CSA Group has a skilled team of professionals in Edmonton with expertise in explosive atmosphere testing and is a recognized leader in hazardous locations services worldwide.