IECEx Certification

IECEx Certification

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the IECEx scheme for CoPC (certification of personnel competence) is to use the principles of conformity assessment to provide employers and others with the confidence that the personnel working in or near hazardous areas containing explosive atmospheres have been independently certified as competent

Each unit of competence describes the competence required for a particular work function. It is envisaged that an individual’s job description will probably require more than one of the specific units of competence outlined below. Unit Ex 001 can stand alone, but all other units require completion of Unit Ex 001 as a minimum.

IECEX 001 - Apply Basic Principles of Protection in Explosive Atmospheres.

OVERVIEW: This Unit of Competence covers the basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres of plant and machinery. Ex 001 is based on various parts of IEC 60079 series, and it is a prerequisite for the higher units. EX001 ensures that the candidate will have a basic understanding and knowledge of:

• Common characteristics of explosion-protection techniques
• General requirements to work in hazardous areas
• How to observe condition of explosion-protection areas
• How to take actions to limit risk of an explosion
• Methods for compliance
• Ex certification schemes
• Ex Principles
• Explosion-protection checks
• Flameproof (Ex 'd') explosion-protection technique
• Increased safety (Ex 'e') explosion-protection technique
• Type of protection 'n' (Ex 'n')
• Intrinsic safety (Ex 'i') explosion-protection techniques

EX 002: Perform classification of hazardous areas (Classification Engineers).

OVERVIEW: Competence in gathering and analysing technical data and using this data for risk assessment. This unit includes a review of the candidates work-and training record. At least 3 years relevant work experience is required, see IECEx OD 504 for details. The assessment has a theoretical part and a practical part. Competence in gathering and analysing technical data and using this data for risk assessment

EX 003 & 006: Installation and Testing- IECEx. Install explosion-protected equipment and wiring systems. Test electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres.

OVERVIEW: These two units are assessed together for installation personnel (Technicians), with focus on IEC 60079-14. Both units include a review of the applicant's work and training record. At least 3 years relevant work experience is required, see IECEx OD 504 for details. The assessment has a theoretical part and a practical part. EX003 and EX006 ensures that candidates will have a basic understanding and knowledge of:

EX 004, 007 & 008: Maintenance and Inspection – IECEx. Maintain equipment in explosive atmospheres.

OVERVIEW: These 3 units covers maintenance & evaluating of equipment in an explosive atmosphere. It covers evaluating the hazardous area aspects of conducting initial, periodic and sample audit inspections. The ability to audit a verification dossier is required. Prerequisite is EX001

EX 009: Design electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres (Design Engineers).

OVERVIEW: This unit includes a review of the candidates work and training record. At least 3 year relevant work experience is required, see IECEx OD 504 for details. Ex 001 is a prerequisite. A degree or diploma or equivalent in a technical subject is recommended by not necessary. The assessment has a theoretical part and a practical part.

Unit Ex 010 – Perform audit inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres.

OVERVIEW: This unit allows for the individual to perform audit inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres. The pre-requisite for this unit is EX001, EX008 and EX009

• Common characteristics of explosion-protection techniques
• General requirements to work in hazardous areas
• How to observe condition of explosion-protection areas
• How to take actions to limit risk of an explosion
• Methods for compliance
• Ex certification schemes
• Ex Principles
• Explosion-protection checks
• Flameproof (Ex 'd') explosion-protection technique
• Increased safety (Ex 'e') explosion-protection technique
• Type of protection 'n' (Ex 'n')
• Intrinsic safety (Ex 'i') explosion-protection techniques

Unit Ex 011 – Basic knowledge of the safety of hydrogen systems.

OVERVIEW: This unit covers the knowledge (ONLY) regarding safe working in the presence of a hydrogen atmosphere or on equipment producing, storing, transporting, processing, using or consuming hydrogen in gaseous or liquid form. This unit of knowledge also covers the safety obligations and minimum basic knowledge of persons entering a site that has been classified as a hazardous area.