The scheme is separated into 11 units of competence (with some prerequisite units) of which CSA-Sira are accredited within their scope for 10 of these units. This scheme provides the candidate with some flexibility to tailor their own competence qualification to the units of competence that reflect their job role. Furthermore, these units can also be tailored to the specific methods of protection a candidate is skilled in. Below is a brief summary of the Assessment Units. More information can be found in the IECEx OD Publication IECEx OD 504 at www.iecex.com.

Unit Ex000 – Basic Knowledge & Awareness to enter a site which includes a classified Hazardous Area

This unit of knowledge covers the safety obligations and minimum basic knowledge of person(s) entering a site that has classified hazardous areas. It requires an understanding of the nature of hazardous areas, limitations on devices that may be taken into a hazardous area and the occupational health and safety responsibilities and procedures related to hazardous areas. This unit does not include requirements for ensuring the explosion protection aspect of plant and machinery.

Prerequisites: None.

Typically this unit would be used in relation to any job function that may be performed in or associated with hazardous areas.

Scope limitation(s): None applicable.

Unit Ex001 – Apply Basic Principles of Protection in Explosive Atmospheres

This Unit of Competence covers the basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres of plant and machinery.

This unit of Competence is based on various parts of IEC 60079 series.

Prerequisites: None.

Competence in this unit shall be assessed in combination with, or after gaining other competence required by a given industry or enterprise for plant or machinery operation or installation, maintenance or service functions.

Scope limitation(s): By explosion protection technique are applicable to this unit. No other Ex units required.

Unit Ex002 – Perform Classification of Hazardous Areas

This Unit covers knowledge and skills to classify areas where explosive materials may exist. It requires the ability to gather and analyse data relative to explosion hazards, determine the extent of risk and establish and document zones (noting that the zoning of hazardous areas can be different depending on National Regulations and Rules).This unit of competency is based on IEC 60079-10-1 and IEC 60079-10-2 and any other relevant standard that apply to this Unit of Competency.

Prerequisites: Competency in this unit requires a degree or diploma or equivalent in a technical subject. The area classification should be carried out by those who understand the relevance and significance of properties of flammable materials and those who are familiar with the process and the equipment along with safety, electrical, mechanical and other qualified engineering personnel.

Scope limitation(s): By group are applicable to this unit and shall be included in the application according to OD 502. Unit Ex 001 is required.

Unit Ex003 – Install Explosion-Protected Equipment and Wiring Systems

This Unit of Competency covers the explosion-protection aspects for installing explosion protected and associated equipment and wiring systems. It requires the ability to match equipment with that specified for a given location, work safely, and to installation Standards and complete the necessary installation documentation. This unit of competency is based on IEC 60079-14 and any other relevant standard that apply to this Unit of Competency. For installation all types of protection shall be understood

Prerequisites: The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained, relevant to the application, through documents such as College Certificates and Vocational qualifications etc. For an Operative a minimum 3 years experience in industrial electrical installation practice is required. For a Responsible Person a minimum of 3 years experience in Ex industrial electrical installation practice relevant to the scope of the unit of Competence being applied for taking into account the scope limitations. Competence in this unit shall be assessed either concurrently with or after Unit Ex 001 – Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres.

NOTE 1 – This experience can include time spent under general supervision.

Scope limitation(s): By explosion protection technique, product type, group or voltage are applicable. Any scope limitations shall be included in the application according to OD 502. Unit Ex 001 is required.

Unit Ex004 – Maintain Equipment in Explosive Atmospheres

This Unit of Competency covers the explosion-protection aspects for maintaining explosion protected and associated equipment and wiring systems including plant maintenance schemes. It requires the ability to develop and manage maintenance programs incorporating strategies for inspections, repair/overhaul/replacement of components and recording of maintenance outcomes. This includes the ability to follow a maintenance program, work safely, carry out maintenance to Standards and manufacturer’s instructions and complete the necessary maintenance documentation. This unit of competency is based on IEC 60079-17 and any other relevant standards that apply to this Unit of Competency.

Prerequisites: The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained, relevant to the application, through documents such as College Certificates and trade credentials etc. For an Operative a minimum 3 years experience in industrial maintenance practice is required. For a Responsible Person a minimum of 3 years experience in Ex Maintenance practice relevant to the scope of the unit of Competence being applied for taking into account the scope limitations. Maintenance unit shall be assessed either concurrently with or after Unit Ex 001 – Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres. In addition if the scope limitation requires the achievement of competence in developing and managing general electrical/instrumentation maintenance programs will satisfy the prerequisites.

NOTE 1 – This experience can include time spent under general supervision.

NOTE 2 – For work on wiring and equipment operating above 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c. competency in high voltage switching and safe isolation should be held.

Scope limitation(s): By explosion protection technique, product type, group or voltage are applicable. Any scope limitations shall be included in the application according to OD 502. Unit Ex 001 is required.

Unit Ex006 – Test Electrical Installations in or associated with Explosive Atmospheres

This Unit of Competency covers testing electrical installations for explosive atmospheres. It requires the ability to select, prepare and use appropriate testing devices, work safely and to Standards and to interpret and record test results. This unit of competency is based on IEC 60079-14 and any other relevant standards that may apply.

Prerequisites: The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained, relevant to the application, through documents such as College Certificates and trade credentials etc. A minimum 3 years experience in industrial electrical installation practice is required. Competence in this unit shall be assessed either concurrently with or after Unit Ex 001 – Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres.

NOTE 1 – For work on wiring and equipment operating above 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c. competency in high voltage switching and safe isolation should be held.

Scope limitation(s): Will clearly state the unit of competence applies for either an Operative or a Responsible Person. Scope limitation by explosion-protection technique, group or voltage are applicable. Any scope limitations shall be included in the application according to OD 502. Unit Ex 001 is required

Unit Ex007 – Perform Visual & Close Inspection of Electrical Installations in or associated with Explosive Atmospheres

This Unit of Competency covers evaluating the completeness of a hazardous area verification dossier and compliance of the explosion-protected aspects of the electrical installations within the constraints of a visual or close inspection. It requires the ability to work safely in a hazardous area, evaluate a verification dossier, identify explosion-protected equipment with their certification and specified location, inspect an installation for compliance and report and act on inspection results. This unit of competency is based on IEC 60079-14 & IEC 60079-17 and any other relevant standards that may apply.

Prerequisites: The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained, relevant to the application, through documents such as College Certificates and trade credentials etc. For an Operative a minimum 3 years experience in industrial electrical installation practice is required. For a Responsible Person a minimum of 3 years experience in Ex electrical installation practice relevant to the scope of the unit of Competence being applied for taking into account the scope limitations. Competence in this unit shall be assessed either concurrently with or after Unit Ex 001 – Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres.

NOTE 1 – For work on wiring and equipment operating above 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c. competency in high voltage switching and safe isolation should be held.

Scope limitation(s): Will clearly state the unit of competence applies for either an Operative or a Responsible Person. Scope limitation by group or voltage are applicable. Any scope limitations shall be included in the application according to OD 502. Unit Ex 001 is required

Unit Ex008 – Perform Detailed Inspection of Electrical Installations in or associated with Explosive Atmospheres

This Unit of Competency covers the explosion-protection aspects of conducting initial, periodic and sample audit inspections of explosion-protected equipment and installations. It requires the ability to audit a verification dossier, work safely in a hazardous area, inspect against Standards and report and act on inspection results. This unit of competency is based on IEC 60079-14 & IEC 60079-17 and any other relevant standards that may apply.

Prerequisites: The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained, relevant to the application, through documents such as College Certificates and Trade Credentials etc. For an Operative a minimum 3 years experience in general electrical installation practice. For a Responsible Person a minimum of 3 years experience in Hazardous Area installation practice. Competence in this unit shall be assessed either concurrently with or after competencies in Unit Ex 001 – Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres.

NOTE 1 – For work on wiring and equipment operating above 1000 V a.c. or 1500 V d.c. competency in high voltage switching and safe isolation should be held.

Scope limitation(s): Will clearly state the unit of competence applies for either an Operative or a Responsible Person. Scope limitation by group or voltage are applicable. Any scope limitations shall be included in the application according to OD 502. Unit Ex 001 is required

Unit Ex009 – Design electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

This Unit of Competence covers the explosion-protection aspects of designing electrical power, control and instrumentation systems and installations. It requires the ability to establish design briefs and to pursue economical and effective explosion-protection design solutions.

This unit of competence is based on IEC 60079-14 and any other relevant standards that may apply.

Prerequisites: The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained, relevant to the application, through documents such as Degree, Diploma and College Certificates etc.

A minimum 3 years experience in general electrical installation design or supervised Hazardous Area installation design.

Competence in this unit shall be assessed either concurrently with or after Unit Ex 001 – Apply basic principles of protection in explosive atmospheres.

Scope limitation(s): The scope limitations will clearly state the unit of Competence applied for either an Operative or a Responsible Person. Scope limitation by explosion-protection technique, group or voltage are applicable to this unit. Any scope limitations shall be included in the application according to OD 502.

Unit Ex010 – Perform audit inspection of electrical installations in or associated with explosive atmospheres

This Unit of Competence covers the explosion-protection aspects of conducting an audit of an electrical installation. It requires the ability to verify whether an installation complies with the relevant hazardous area Standards for that installation and includes the verification of design and certification documentation (verification dossier), maintenance, overhaul and repair, work safety, inspection against Standards and reporting of audit results.

This unit of competency is based on IEC 60079-14 & IEC 60079-17 and any other relevant standards that may apply.

Prerequisites: The applicant shall have the level of technical education (or equivalent) attained, relevant to the application, through documents such as Degree, Diploma, College Certificates and Trade Credentials etc.

A minimum 3 years experience in general electrical installation or inspection practice, a minimum of 2 years experience in Hazardous Area electrical installation inspection practice.

Competence in this unit shall be assessed either concurrently with or after Unit Ex 001 Ex002, Ex008 and Ex009 .

Scope limitation(s): The scope limitations will clearly state the unit of competence of applied for either an Operative or a Responsible Person. Scope limitation by group is applicable to this uni. Any scope limitations shall be included in the application according to OD 502.