If you are involved with ATEX, IEC or DSEAR Projects, it is likely that the new training and competence requirements will affect you. For further information on the new requirements please click here

The new Standard for Installation (Edition 4) specifies in some detail the requirements for people involved in the manufacture and installation of equipment or plant designed for use in hazardous (potentially explosive) atmospheres.

It should be noted that installation is equally applicable to many manufacturers who assemble certified ATEX or IEC/EN equipment to form an assembly, as it is to companies installing apparatus in to a plant. The Standard now identifies various roles that require training and the level of that training. Management and Design functions now have specified training requirements.

Epsilon is an ATEX Notified Body, DSEAR implementation specialist and CompEx Training Centre. We have the largest ATEX/IEC Training facility in the UK and have satellite training facilities in the US and Scandinavia. Epsilon offer both open and bespoke training, and our unique management systems ensure that all staff are verified and attributed as competent and ‘remain’ competent through regular automated updates. Epsilon won the Queens Royal award for ATEX and DSEAR services in 2007 and is the fastest growing ATEX Service Provider in the UK.

All of the people we train from 2008 will be automatically sent updates on the course we provided for a period of three years at no additional charge. This will ensure that competence is maintained by a verifiably competent company.

Epsilon is the only CompEx Training Centre run by an ATEX Notified Body. Our courses contain the latest information delivered by ‘practitioners’ who work full time with Hazardous Installations.  Epsilon is one of the UK’s largest DSEAR implementation companies and has developed the words first Explosion Assessment and Management Software. We take great pride in the feedback from our training courses, and the enthusiasm and knowledge of our lecturers who can draw from practical experience at all times to keep the courses interesting, relevant and practical. As an ATEX Notified Body for ATEX we always have the most up-to-date information and knowledge of future regulations.

CompEx is the only nationally recognised course and qualification in explosive atmospheres installation and inspection. It provides competence based training and assessment for electrical and instrumentation technicians working in hazardous areas in offshore and onshore industrial environments.

The practical training facilities at Epsilon’s CompEx training centre provide a realistic working plant and a simulated hazardous area. By applying the theoretical knowledge learned from lectures immediately and practically, delegates receive a far more comprehensive course and consistent level of assessment. CompEx is ideally suited for ATEX and DSEAR as it is a Nationally Recognised Qualification supported by the HSE, NIC and EEMUA and fast becoming a mandatory requirement on many plants.

A 5% discount is currently being offered on all courses booked before January 31^st 2008.

Responsible Persons Course

Responsible persons are involved with the ‘processes of specification, design, selection and erection of explosion protected equipment. After attending the examined Responsible Persons Course, delegates will be able to demonstrate their competency and provide evidence of attaining the knowledge and skill requirements required for this role.

People who should attend

Typical personnel who may require this training include Project Managers, Maintenance Managers, Procurement Managers, Quality Assurance and Contract Managers and associated personnel.

Syllabus 

·         General understanding of relevant electrical engineering principles;

·         Understanding and ability to read and assess related engineering documents;

·         Practical understanding of explosion protection principles and techniques;

·         Working knowledge and understanding of relevant standards in explosion protection;

·         Basic knowledge of quality assurance, including the principles of auditing,   documentation, traceability of  measurement and instrument calibration.

Duration: 1 day

Cost: £395.00 + VAT

Dates: 4^th February, 7^th April, 2^nd June, 7^th July, 8^th September and 3^rd November

Hazardous Area Designers Course

The requirements for personnel involved in the process of designing plant or equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (including equipment that may be located in the safe area but have functionality involved in the safe explosion prevention or mitigation)

After attending the new Epsilon course for Designers, delegates will be able to demonstrate their competency and provide evidence of attaining the knowledge and skill requirements specified above, relevant to the types of protection and/or types of equipment involved.

People who should attend

The requirements will be applicable to personnel who design plant (new plant or modifications) or design rigs, skids or assemblies for use in hazardous areas.

Syllabus 

·         Detailed knowledge of the general principles of explosion protection;

·         Detailed knowledge of the general principles of types of protection and marking;

·         Detailed knowledge of those aspects of equipment design which affect the protection concept;

·         Detailed knowledge of content of certificates and relevant parts of 60079-14;

·         Understanding of practical skills for the preparation and installation of relevant concepts of protection;

·         Detailed knowledge of the additional importance of Permit to Work systems and safe isolation in relation to Explosion Protection;

·         Detailed knowledge of the particular techniques to be employed in the selection and erection of equipment referred to in IEC/EN 60079-14;

·         A general understanding of Inspection and Maintenance requirements of IEC/EN 60079-17;

·         Production of documentation;

·         Production of Designers certificates to the user;

·         Practical skills necessary for the preparation and compilation of relevant design details for the concepts of protection and systems involved;

·         Update and production of installation records as specified in 60079-14.

Duration: 3 days

Cost: £955.00 + VAT

Dates: 5^th February, 8^th April, 3^rd June, 8^th July, 9^th September, 4^th November

Operatives (Installers) Course

COMPEX NATIONAL QUALIFICATION

Operatives are considered to be people who are involved in the selection, installation and inspection of equipment. The Installation Standard requires an assessment of the delegates practical ‘skills’ in addition to theoretical training. This necessitates practical training and evaluations such as the ‘CompEx’ scheme where trainees are expected to assemble equipment (for example glands) that will then be taken apart and examined by assessors. 

The course consists of classroom based theoretical training (50%) and ‘hands on’ training in a purpose built plant simulation room with practical training and examinations (50%).

People who should attend

Anyone who conducts electrical installation or inspection of hazardous areas, normally practitioners with an electrical installation background.

Syllabus 

·         Understanding of the general principles of explosion protection;

·         Understanding of the general principles of types of protection and marking;

·         Understanding of those aspects of equipment design which affect the protection concept;

·         Understanding of content of certificates and relevant parts of IEC/EN 60079-14;

·         General understanding of inspection and maintenance requirements of IEC/EN 60079-17;

·         Familiarity with the particular techniques to be employed in the selection and erection of equipment   referred to in IEC/EN 60079-14;

·         Understanding of the additional importance of permit to work systems and safe isolation in relation to explosion protection.

·         Use and availability of documentation;

·         Production of job reports to the user;

·         Practical skills necessary for the preparation and installation of relevant concepts of protection (hands on training, live work, installation and inspection)

·         Use and production of installation records.

The above criteria can be met by passing the Nationally Recognised COMPEX Training Course (further details at www.compextraining.com). Epsilon offers the UK’s largest COMPEX Training Facility with the added benefit of being an ATEX Notified Body with in depth experience of all protection concepts (and of course tours and demonstrations in our test facility).

Epsilon has added additional information to the COMPEX core syllabus to fully address the new requirements of the Installation Standard for both ATEX and IEC.

Gas & Vapours (Modules Ex01 – Ex04) Duration: 5 days

Cost: £960.00

Dates: 25^th February, 28^th April, 23^rd June, 28^th July, 29^th September, 27^th October

and 24^th November

Dust Only (Modules Ex05 – Ex06) Duration: 3 days

Cost: £640.00

Dates: 15^th April, 10^th June, 16^th September and 16^th December

Refresher (required within 5 years from certification) Duration: 2 days

Cost: £450.00

Dates: 18^th March, 20^th May, 19^th August and 11^th November

Course Title:   Explosion Risk Assessment, Consequence Analysis and Area Classification

Dates: On Application

Examined: Yes

Certificate Issued: Competent Person

Cost: £2500 + VAT includes lunch, tea and coffee.

Target Audience:

Engineers wishing to undertake Risk Assessment, Consequence Analysis and Area Classification for DSEAR.

Typical Syllabus

·          Basic Chemical Engineering

·          Fluid Dynamics theory for Area Classification

·          Explosion Risk Assessment Methods

·          Explosion Safety Methods (reduction of ignition and leak frequencies)

·          Basic Consequence Analysis and tools (including PHAST)

·          Methodology, practical techniques and case studies

·          Area Classification using codes (IP15, SR 25 etc.)

·          Area Classification using calculations for indoor and outdoor classification

·          Worked syndicate exercises of real classifications

·          Final case study exam.

Delegates will need calculators; all other materials will be provided.