To ensure all participants can fully benefit, a basic understanding of the following is recommended:

• Fundamental principles of process engineering, instrumentation, or electrical systems.
• Basic awareness of industrial safety concepts.
• An engineering degree or equivalent technical work experience is advantageous but not mandatory.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Interpret and Applykey international standards (IEC 60079, NFPA 497/499, API RP 500/505).
• Define and JustifyZones/Divisions and Temperature Classes for a given process material.
• Create, Read, and CritiqueHazardous Area Classification Drawings (HACD).
• Select and Specifyappropriate explosion-protected equipment for Instrumentation (e.g., Intrinsic Safety, Flameproof) and Electrical systems (e.g., Increased Safety, Pressurization).
• IntegrateHAC principles into the plant lifecycle from design to decommissioning.
• Developactionable strategies for inspection and maintenance of equipment in hazardous areas.
• Mitigate Risksspecific to your industry, whether in a refinery or a coal-fired power plant.

This course is essential for engineers, technicians, and managers whose work impacts safety in potentially explosive atmospheres:

• Process Safety Engineers & Process Design Engineers
• Instrumentation & Control Engineers & Technicians
• Electrical Engineers & Electrical Designers
• Project Engineers & Managers
• Plant Operations & Maintenance Personnel
• HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Professionals
• Engineering Consultants

This interactive Training will be highly interactive, with opportunities to advance your opinions and ideas and will include:
• Lectures
• Workshop & Work Presentation
• Case Studies and Practical Exercise
• Videos and General Discussions

The course is structured to build knowledge progressively, starting with fundamentals and moving into specialized applications and advanced integration.

Day 1: The Foundation of Hazardous Areas

• Module 1: Why HAC? The Business & Safety Case
• The Anatomy of an Explosion: Fuel, Oxygen, and Ignition.
• Historic Incidents & Lessons Learned (Case Studies from both industries).
• The Legal, Financial, and Moral Imperative for HAC.
• Module 2: Understanding the "Fuel"
• Material Properties: Flash Point, Auto-ignition Temperature, LEL/UEL.
• Gas/Vapor Groups (IIC, IIB, IIA) and Dust Classes (IIIC, IIIB, IIIA).
• Module 3: The Global Rulebook: Standards & Directives
• Comparative Analysis: IEC vs. NEC (NFPA) vs. ATEX.
• Understanding Zones (0, 1, 2) and Divisions (1, 2).

Day 2: Creating the Hazardous Area Map (HACD)

• Module 4: The Methodology of Area Classification
• Source of Release Methodology: Continuous, Primary, Secondary.
• The Role of Ventilation: Degrees and Effectiveness.
• Module 5: Practical HAC Development (Workshop)
• Industry Breakout Sessions:
• Group A (Chemical/Petroleum): Classifying areas around tanks, pumps, reactors, and pipelines.
• Group B (Power Generation): Classifying areas in coal mills, fuel oil day tanks, hydrogen cooling systems, and battery rooms.

Day 3: Selecting the Right Equipment - Instrumentation & Control Focus

• Module 6: Protection Concepts for Instrumentation
• Deep Dive: Intrinsic Safety (Ex ia/ib/ic) - Principles, Entity Concept, and Loop Verification.
• Flameproof Enclosure (Ex d): Theory and Application.
• Other Key Types: Increased Safety (Ex e), Encapsulation (Ex m), Type of Protection ‘n’ (Ex n).
• Module 7: Application & Selection Workshop
• Selecting the right protection concept for sensors, transmitters, and control valves.
• Interfacing between intrinsically safe and non-intrinsically safe circuits.
• Practical considerations for installation and loop checking.

Day 4: Selecting the Right Equipment - Electrical Systems Focus

• Module 8: Protection Concepts for Electrical Equipment
• Increased Safety (Ex e) for motors and luminaires.
• Pressurization (Ex p) for control panels and analyzers.
• Powder Filling (Ex q) & Oil Immersion (Ex o).
• Dust Ignition Protection (Ex tD) per IEC/NFPA.
• Module 9: Application & Selection Workshop
• Sizing and selecting Ex e motors for pump and fan applications.
• Designing pressurized control rooms and analyzer shelters.
• Cable gland selection and wiring practices for hazardous areas.

Day 5: Integration, Maintenance & The Future

• Module 10: The Lifecycle of HAC
• Management of Change (MOC): Updating HACD after plant modifications.
• HAC in the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction) workflow.
• Introduction to HAC for Dust Explosion Hazards (with industry-specific examples).
• Module 11: Inspection & Maintenance (Competency Assurance)
• Overview of IEC 60079-17 (Inspection and Maintenance).
• Developing and executing a compliance audit program.
• Repair and overhaul guidelines for Ex equipment.
• Module 12: Capstone Exercise & Course Wrap-up
• Course Summary
• Course Q&A with the expert instructor.
• Final test.
• Certificate Distribution.

Why Choose This Course? Your Competitive Advantage

• Unmatched Breadth & Depth:We uniquely cover the three critical specializations—Process, Instrumentation, and Electrical—in one integrated program.
• Dual-Industry Relevance:Learn with peers from both Chemical/Petroleum and Power/Utilities sectors, gaining insights into different challenges and solutions.
• Expert-Led, Practice-Oriented:Our instructors are seasoned industry professionals, not just academics. The focus is on real-world applications.
• Actionable Outcomes:You leave not just with a certificate, but with practical skills, checklists, and a framework you can implement immediately.
• Networking Hub:Connect with a diverse group of safety professionals, fostering valuable cross-industry connections.

Ready to Master the Science of Safety? Equip your team with the definitive skills to navigate hazardous environments with confidence. Contact us today to schedule an in-house session or register for our next public offering!

A RECTUS attendance certificate will be awarded to all participants who complete at least 80% of the total course duration.