Explosion-protected (Ex) Certified Equipment and Their Applications 

Hazardous areas are locations where the atmosphere contains substances that can ignite and cause explosions or fires. These areas are common in industries such as oil and gas, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, mining, food processing, and more.

To ensure safety, hazardous areas are classified into zones based on the frequency and duration of the presence of hazardous substances. The classification systems vary depending on the country or region but mostly follow similar principles.

Such hazardous areas require specialised certified equipment designed to prevent ignition sources and protect both personnel and the environment. Some examples are:

• Flame-Proof Equipment (Ex d): Ex d certified equipment is designed to withstand internal explosions without allowing flames or gases to escape to the outside. The enclosure is strong enough to contain a potential internal explosion, safeguarding the environment. Flame-proof enclosures and motors are typical examples of this type of equipment.

• Intrinsically Safe Equipment (Ex i): Ex i certified barrier in an intrinsically safe circuit, is engineered to limit the energy going into Ex i certified field device located in the hazardous atmosphere. Ex i devices are typically low-energy field level, pressure, flow or temperature instruments or switches, thermocouples and RTDs.

• Increased Safety Equipment (Ex e): Ex e certified equipment is engineered to reduce the risk of ignition by minimising the possibility of sparks, arcs, or excessive temperatures within. Ex e certified junction boxes and lighting fixtures are common examples of this category.

• Pressurisation Equipment (Ex p): Ex p enclosure is pressurised enclosure above the external atmosphere, with an inert gas or dry and clean instrument air, to prevent the ingress of hazardous atmospheres inside the Ex p enclosure. Ex p technique ensures that any flammable gases present are below the minimum ignition concentration.

• Encapsulation Equipment (Ex m): In encapsulation, the components that could generate sparks or heat are enclosed in a compound or resin, preventing potential ignition sources from coming into contact with the hazardous atmosphere.

The proper hazardous area classification (HAC) and use of hazardous area certified equipment are essential in industries with the risk of explosion or fire.

Types of EEHA Courses available

Here are some of the popular courses for electrician and engineers to work in hazardous areas:

1. UEE42620 – Certificate IV in Hazardous Areas – Electrical:

Professionals working in these environments should consider obtaining certifications like the Cert IV in Hazardous Areas (UEE42622) to ensure they are adequately trained to handle the challenges posed by hazardous areas effectively. The UEE42622 course covers course covers hazardous area classification (HAC), explosion protection techniques, and Ex equipment selection. This course provides the skill and competency required for reading HAC drawings, Ex equipment name plate detail, installation, maintenance, testing and inspection of EEHA as per AS/NZS 60079.14 & 17.

This course is mandatory for electricians who wish to work in hazardous areas.

2. EEHA Refresher Course:

EEHA Refresher course provides electricians with an update on the latest technologies, standards, and regulations for hazardous area installations as per AS/NZS 60079.14 & 17.

3. Hazardous Areas Classification and Design:

This course covers hazardous area classification (HAC) for gas and dust hazardous areas as per AS/NZS 60079.10.1 and AS/NZS 60079.10. This course covers designing and planning of EEHA, including undertaking intrinsically safe (IS) calculations and Increased safety (Ex e) Maximum Dissipation Power (PDP) calculations.

This course is recommended for electrical engineers responsible for designing responsible for classifying Hazardous Areas and designing electrical installations in hazardous areas.

4. Hazardous Areas Design and Planning:

This course covers designing and planning of EEHA, including undertaking intrinsically safe (IS) calculations and Increased safety (Ex e) Maximum Dissipation Power (PDP) calculations. This course is recommended for electrical engineers and designers responsible for designing electrical installations in hazardous areas.

5. Hazardous Areas Verification Dossier (HAVD) :

This course provides an overview of duties and responsibilities regarding Hazardous Area legislation and compliance and is recommended for anyone responsible for managing compliance of site hazardous areas to local regulations and AS/NZS standards.