Hazardous Locations – Basic Principles of Gas-Explosive Atmospheres

Manufacturers, Plant Managers and Engineers, Project Engineers, Engineers in Training, Technologists, Electricians, Electrical Apprentices, Electrical Designers, Chemical Process Operators, Installers, Engineering Maintenance personnel, Inspection personnel.

The following are the topics that will be covered in the training.

Day 1: Hazardous Area Basic Principles

Section A: Introduction to Gas-Explosive, Hazardous Locations

• Types of hazards in gas-explosive/flammable/combustible atmospheres
• Properties of the hazardous materials (concentration, flammable ranges for Gases/Vapours spark ignition energy, minimum ignition, energy auto-ignition temperature, flashpoint)
• Sources of ignition
• Overview of explosion, propagation, pressure piling, and detonation
• Importance of personnel competence
• Legislation overview
• Zone System and Class-division System
• Types of Hazards
• Probability of the potentially explosive conditions being present
• Ease of spark ignition of the gases
• Possibility of thermal ignition by exposure to hot surfaces
• Temperature Class
• Equipment Protection Level (EPL)
• Basic interpretation of equipment markings
• The Need for Certification
• The Role of Standards
• Certification and legislative authorities globally
• Certification systems:
  • European (ATEX) System
  • International – IECEx System
  • North America
  • UKCA
• Minimizing the obstacles to certification
• Content of a Declaration of Conformity
• Comparing certifications
• Self-declaration of Compliance (ATEX certification)

Section B: Hazardous Area Classifications

Section C: Certification Process

Close of Day 1 – Question and Answers

Self-Administered Day One Test: Terms, Definitions, Interpretations and Concepts; Case Study

Day 2: Hazardous Location Protection Techniques

Section A: Protection Techniques

• Overview of approaches to protection

• Principles of the Flameproof/Explosionproof Protection Techniques
  • Flame paths
  • Application, advantages and disadvantages of this method
  • Acceptable and unacceptable measures
  • Ex markings and applicable Standards (Zone & Class-division)
  • Pressure piling
  • Testing and verification
  • Installation practices
  • Inspection and maintenance considerations
• Principles of the Purging and Pressurization Protection Technique
  • Application, advantages and disadvantages of this method
  • Ex markings and applicable Standards (Zone & Class-division)
  • Main safety considerations
  • Testing and verification
  • Installation practices
  • Inspection and maintenance considerations
• Principles of the Increased Safety Protection Technique
  • Application, advantages and disadvantages of this method
  • Ex markings and applicable Standards
  • Main safety features for enclosures (IP rating)
  • Electrical safety restriction (creepage and clearance)
  • Limitations of the increased safety concept
  • Testing and verification
  • Installation practices
  • Inspection and maintenance considerations

• Principles of the Intrinsic Safety Protection Technique

• Principles of the Encapsulation Protection Technique
• Principles of the Non-incendive and Non-sparking Protection Techniques
  • Application, advantages and disadvantages of this method
  • Ex markings and applicable Standards
  • Mechanical and electrical limitations
  • Testing and verification
  • Installation practices
  • Inspection and maintenance considerations

• Principles related to protection for non-electrical equipment

Close of Day 2 – Question and Answers

Self-Administered Day Two Test: Terms, Definitions, Interpretations and Concepts; Case Study

Day 3: Considerations for Equipment to be Installed

Section A: Glanding and Cable Entry for Ex equipment

• Cable Glanding or entry selection as per the protection methods
• Type of cable glands and their requirements
• Installation practices
• Inspection and maintenance considerations
• Applicable Standards & Codes
• Basics of the initial and ongoing, periodic inspection
• Inspection grades
• Inspection for portable equipment
• Documentation requirements
• Things to look for as a general practice

Section B: Overview of Installation Rules and Codes

• Overview of field wiring installation Rules and Codes for IECEx & ATEX systems
• Overview of field wiring installation Rules and Codes for North America
• Intrinsically safe field wiring considerations
• Sealing requirements

Section C: System Inspection and Maintenance

• An overview of equipment inspection

Close of Day 3 – Question and Answers

Self-Administered Day Three Test: Terms, Definitions, Interpretations and Concepts; Case Study

This is a three-day overview course designed for persons who work in some capacity on equipment to be used in a hazardous location anywhere in the world (“Ex equipment”): from design to certification to installation, operation, maintenance, and inspection. It is intended for persons with little or no knowledge of and experience with hazardous locations. A self-administered multiple-choice test is provided at the end of each day, so participants can test their own understanding of the concepts presented and their application in real-life scenarios. Emphasis is on learning the fundamentals, in order to promote compliance with safety requirements, given the hazardous nature of the environment.

Day 1 of this course is an introduction to hazardous locations: what makes them hazardous, especially given electrical and non-electrical devices located within them or nearby that can become a source of ignition. The classification systems used worldwide to define the nature of the hazard are covered, as well as the global certifications and their safety requirements.

Day 2 provides an overview of protection approaches used in product design, as well as details about some specific protection methods for electrical and non-electrical equipment for use in gas-explosive atmospheres.

Day 3 covers more protection techniques, as well as an overview of the installation, monitoring, maintenance, and inspection of electrical equipment intended for use in hazardous locations in order to assess and control risks.

This is a foundation course that covers a wide range of topics for persons with a variety of backgrounds who work with equipment in potentially hazardous environments.

Instructor-led training in a virtual classroom. This means the course is Live Online. Participants will learn through online teaching. Lectures, case studies, group exercises, discussions, problem solving, examples with explanation, assignments and/or quizzes happen in the virtual classroom training. Delivery provides a blend of theoretical knowledge and activities that involve real-life examples of theory at work in the hazardous location (HazLoc) industry. Case studies will be used to encourage application-oriented thinking. Participants need to connect to the class from any internet accessible location. Each module is delivered live using webinar technology, creating a virtual classroom learning environment. Live sessions provide you with direct access to the trainer so you can ask questions, understand complex concepts and share ideas with peers. Webcam and microphone are REQUIRED to interact with the instructor and/or other participants.

The course content and structure are designed by the domain experts from TÜV SÜD.

With immense experience and knowledge in the relevant standards, our team of product specialists and technical experts at TÜV SÜD, developed the course content based on current business landscape and market requirements.

Three, self-administered tests that test theoretical knowledge as well as the ability to apply it to case scenarios

Having access to Standards and codes is helpful but not mandatory.

TÜV SÜD is a leading provider of training and certification in hazardous locations (HazLoc) safety and compliance. Its programs are widely recognized in the United States and internationally. The experts at TÜV SÜD Academy possess in-depth knowledge of global standards such as IECEx, ATEX, and North American requirements, and are committed to delivering practical, application-focused training. Professionals responsible for equipment and systems in explosive atmospheres play a critical role in ensuring operational safety and compliance, and their competence is essential for the safe and efficient functioning of industrial facilities.