Electrical Installation in Hazardous Areas Classification, Safe Handling, Operation & Maintenance

This course provides an understanding of the hazards involved in using electrical equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. It is based on the newly adopted international IEC Series which are directly applicable to most countries in the world.

Explosion-proof installations can be expensive to design, install and operate. The wider approaches described in these standards can significantly reduce costs whilst maintaining plant safety. The course explains the associated terminology and it correct use. It covers from area classification through to the selection of explosion-protected electrical apparatus, describing how protection is achieved and maintained in line with these international requirements.

Course Objectives

Provide a clear understanding of hazardous area current custom and practice with particular respect to the following:

• Defining the hazard, classifying hazard materials, understanding the nature of the risk and the necessity to eliminate sources of ignition.
• The relationship between area classification and the various different types of Ex apparatus.
• The relationship between electrical equipment and gas groups and temperature classes.
• The installation and maintenance of the different types of equipment i.e. flameproof, increased safety, intrinsic safety etc.
• The need for, and typical approach to, electrical equipment inspection
• The documentation of the hazardous area.

Who Should Attend?

Typical personnel who would benefit are: Managers involved with energy management, Electrical engineers and Technical Staff who have to deal with the aspect of electrical and industrial power system protection, control and operation.

Course Outline

Day 1: Area classification

• Hazards and hazardous areas
• Basic properties of combustible and ignitable
• Basis of area classification
• Zonal classification
• Plant operations – normal and abnormal
• Policy and guidelines for implementation
• Area classification examples

Day 2: Design philosophy and selection of equipment/apparatus

• Risks
• Apparatus grouping
• Surface temperature classification
• Concepts and techniques of explosion protection
• Typical applications of methods of protection
• Mixed techniques
• Selection of explosion-protection technique for safeguarding

Earthing

• Earthing and bonding
• Static electricity
• Clean and dirty earthing
• Electrical interference
• Earthing terminology

Day 3: Electrical Installations

• Installation requirements
• IEC standard contents
• Other relevant installation standards and codes
• Safety documentation
• Practical aspects of IS installations
• Other considerations affecting installation
• Other installation issues

Day 4: Inspection and maintenance

• Inspection and maintenance
• Scope of IEC
• General requirements
• Inspections and insulation test
• Maintenance
• Testing
• Earthing integrity verification
• inspection requirements

Day 5:  Safe Working Practices

• Safety observations
• Danger signals of electrical malfunctioning
• Need for inspection and maintenance
• Maintenance and safe practices
• Fault-finding – safety ensured
• Insulation testing in hazardous area
• Earthing in hazardous area

Summary, open Discussion and closing

Course Methodology

A variety of methodologies will be used during the course that includes:

• (30%) Based on Case Studies
• (30%) Techniques
• (30%) Role Play
• (10%) Concepts
• Pre-test and Post-test
• Variety of Learning Methods
• Lectures
• Case Studies and Self Questionaires
• Group Work
• Discussion
• Presentation

Course Fees

This rate includes participant’s manual, Hand-Outs, buffet lunch, coffee/tea on arrival, morning & afternoon of each day.

Course Timings

Daily Course Timings
08:00 - 08:20       Morning Coffee / Tea
08:20 - 10:00       First Session
10:00 - 10:20       Coffee / Tea / Snacks
10:20 - 12:20       Second Session
12:20 - 13:30       Lunch Break & Prayer Break
13:30 - 15:00       Last Session