🎯 Course Description:
This 5-day advanced training course provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills for installing, inspecting, and maintaining electrical and instrumentation (E&I) equipment in hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapors, or dusts are present.
It focuses on international standards including IEC 60079 series, NEC (NFPA 70), ATEX Directive (EU), and API RP 500/505, covering hazardous area classification (zoning), equipment protection methods (Ex d, Ex e, Ex i, etc.), installation techniques, cable sealing, gland selection, inspection, and compliance.
Participants will gain hands-on experience with real-world installation scenarios and classification exercises, making them competent to work safely and effectively in oil & gas, petrochemical, and industrial hazardous environments.
👥 Who Should Attend:
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Electrical and instrumentation engineers and technicians
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EPC contractors and installation supervisors
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Safety and maintenance personnel in hazardous locations
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Project and design engineers
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Plant managers, inspectors, and compliance officers
🗓️ Day 1: Fundamentals of Hazardous Areas
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 09:00 | Welcome, Introductions & Course Overview |
| 09:00 – 10:30 | What is a Hazardous Area? – Explosive atmospheres, flammable materials, ignition risk |
| 10:30 – 10:45 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:45 – 12:15 | Principles of Hazardous Area Classification – Gas groups, temperature classes, sources |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | International Standards Overview – IEC 60079, ATEX, NEC, API |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: Area classification using process diagrams |
🗓️ Day 2: Area Classification and Zoning
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Zone Definitions and Characteristics – Zones 0, 1, 2 / Divisions 1 & 2 |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Gas Groups & Temperature Classes – T1 to T6, Group IIA, IIB, IIC |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Dust vs. Gas Environments – IEC 60079-10-2 overview |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: Create a Hazardous Area Classification Drawing |
🗓️ Day 3: Equipment Protection Techniques and Selection
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Ex Equipment Markings and Selection – Understanding Ex d, Ex e, Ex i, Ex n, Ex t |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Flameproof (Ex d) and Increased Safety (Ex e) – Construction and installation rules |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | Intrinsic Safety (Ex i) – Loops, barriers, Zener diodes, galvanic isolators |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: Interpreting nameplates and selecting suitable Ex equipment |
🗓️ Day 4: Installation Practices in Hazardous Areas
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Installation of Conduits, Cables, and Glands – Sealing, terminations, bends, support |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Cable Types and Routing Rules in Zones – Armored, screened, flexible, etc. |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 02:45 | E&I Earthing and Bonding in Hazardous Locations – Equipotential bonding, static control |
| 02:45 – 03:00 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:00 – 04:30 | Workshop: Mock installation of Ex cable glands and junction boxes |
🗓️ Day 5: Inspection, Testing & Maintenance
| Time | Topic |
|---|---|
| 08:30 – 10:00 | Initial Inspection and Periodic Maintenance – Visual, close, detailed inspections |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 12:15 | Documentation and Compliance – Certificates, equipment registers, checklists |
| 12:15 – 01:15 | 🍽 Lunch Break |
| 01:15 – 03:00 | Case Studies: Hazardous area incidents and best practice analysis |
| 03:00 – 03:15 | ☕ Coffee Break |
| 03:15 – 04:30 | Final Review, Competency Test, Feedback & Certification |
📂 Course Materials Provided:
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IEC/ATEX/NEC comparison charts
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Hazardous area classification templates
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Equipment datasheets and marking explanation guides
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Installation & inspection checklists (based on IEC 60079-14 & -17)
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Illustrated quick-reference charts for protection types
