Posted By J Knight I thought ATEX approval/certification was for kit rather than people? John

Posted By Keith Oakes Mark, Got me thinking too. Put atex into your search engine it will come up with the relevant requirements e.g. Atex 137 states that: The employer shall classify places where explosive atmospheres may occur into zones. All necessary measures must be taken to ensure that the workplace, work equipment and any associated connecting devices have been designed, constructed, assembled and installed, and are maintained and operated, in such a way as to minimise the risk of an explosion and, if an explosion does occur, to control or minimse its propagation within that workplace. Equipment and protective systems for all places in which explosive atmospheres may occur must be selected on the basis of the categories set out in 94/9/EC (Atex 95) a) zone 0 - category 1 equipment b) zone 1 - category 1 or 2 equipment c) zone 2 - category 1, 2 or 3 equipment From my reading it relates to the equipment specified for explosive atmospheres, or am I wrong? Keith

Posted By Stuart Nagle Mark. ATEX and applying it within the correct perameters can be a complicated business, especially so in complicated workplaces and with compliacted processes. I think what they are saying is that they want people who are competent, through training to be able to undertake ATEX inspections and certifications/type approvals competently... Stuart

Posted By Julian Meer (work) Mark, If it is for hazardous electrical equipment then "Compex" is the recognised training to enable persons (electricians) to install, inspect and maintain Hazardous Area (Ex) Electrical Equipment. The "Compex" course has been well recognised for Ex equipment ever since I have worked in the petrochemical industry (18 years now, i.e., pre-ATEX). If your client is worried about about mechanical igntion risk, e.g., replacing an Ex motor's shaft with the the wrong bearings causing it's T-Class to become invalid, then perhaps they simpley want to ensure that the equipment is installed, inspected and maintain according to its original design and Ex certification therefore reamining Atex, etc, compliant? I.e., the workman knows not to make non-approved / non-assessed changes which could impact on Atex. Trace heating (steam or electric) is a massive sub-section in itself, e.g., lagging calculations, over-temperature protection and IEC61508 issues? "Atex" is emerging as a very detailed debate and I have a feeling the orgin of your question is quite detailed also?