In the past training blog, we discussed the differences between CompEx and IECEx training, (if you missed it click here) for this one, we will walk you through how assessments for each one take place.
For CompEx, even I would be experiencing a few butterflies, as the Ex01 is 3 hours 45 minutes, and there is a lot to pack in. Begin with a brief inspection of the pre-installed equipment, cables, and glands. Preparation of the permits required to enter that Hazardous Area following a Safe System of Work (PTW, Isolation, LOTO, proving dead). Followed by 3 cables to install, electrically test, and terminate. Then note any specific conditions of use, and de-isolate, power up, and go live to prove your installation. Phew! Where did all the time go???
Go have lunch and carry out a similar, but thankfully less intense assessment for Instrument Installation. Now you realize why this is for Electrical Crafts persons!
IECEx is a little more relaxed. Where you are assessed on your ability to conform to a Safe System of Work (PTW, Isolation, LOTO, proving dead), the assessment only requires the installation, testing, and termination of one cable for each assessment, and as such both assessments combined are approximately 3 hours. You need to get a move on though, as for most candidates, it is tight on time.
Thursday afternoon for IECEx (generally Friday morning for CompEx), will be two inspection assessments. This is where CompEx and IECEx assessments align briefly, with a slight deviation in the forms that we at EUTEX use. Under a Safe System of Work, carry out Visual, Close, and Detailed inspections of preinstalled equipment, which have already been seeded with a certain number of faults/non-conformances, for the candidates to recognize and note down. IECEx splits Visual and Close inspection under module EX007, and Detailed inspection under module EX008, thus the internal marking is slightly different.
For Friday, (CompEx would be the Inspections in the morning, as already mentioned), followed by 1 hour 30 minutes Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) online test. For IECEx is a full day of exam papers. These are open book, and split to Part A (MCQ), and Part B (short written answers). I did calculate the combined length of the exams, and it is approximately 4 hours 45 minutes, so all morning and a good chunk of the afternoon. If you are more an academic personality, this route may suit your skills set better.
The final certification gives you and equivalent competency from both tracks, with the additional benefit of dust certification as part of IECEx. Both are valid for 5 years.
The final question I would have is acceptance! Are they both equally accepted? If you work in Europe, or on construction projects for equipment to European ATEX Spec, then there is a strong argument for CompEx, but equally so that IECEx should be recognized as an international personal competency standard.
If you are working outside of the European Union member states, then IECEx should take precedence. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand, only recognize the IECEx competency in their national frameworks, and indeed what relevance does the ATEX or CE marking have to a country halfway around the globe.
Once the assessments are completed, you may be wondering what is next? Well, in my next blog, we will look at the certification process for IECEx. Don't forget to subscribe to our blog so you get a notification once the next blog is out. Our blogs go out on a monthly basis.
See you then!
If you are ready to get trained, tested, and certified, go book your seat at one of our upcoming CompEx and IECEx Training dates at the most convenient location for you. We look forward to seeing you in the classroom!