Compex

[sparky1690]

Do you require to be Compex qualified to work (even just to open) on Exe fittings/Dist Boards.

I say yes, having been Compex qualified previously BUT my current company say no.

If anyone has any Regs i can quote it would be appreciated.

Regards.

 

[gizmo]

Unfortunately not. Either Compex spark to do the work and sign it off, or non compex to do the work, with a compex spark to check it after and sign it off

 

[sparky1690]

So at least one person in the company requires to be qualified we have approx 30 hangars to do PPM and 6 monthly testing on, cheers.

 

[BigSi]

[FONT=&quot]When I worked for a maintenance company a while back, I had to go on a [/FONT][FONT=&quot]UKPIA (SPA) Forecourt Safety Passport [/FONT][FONT=&quot]course, so I could change the lamps on top of the fuel pumps. Without it, they wouldn’t let us go anywhere near them.[/FONT]

 

[Clive P]

Hi,

I've had my Compex for the last 20 years, and types of protection have changed. mainly the introduction of EExe. If you have been Compex qualified in the past you may have covered this, but there are updates all the time as there are with any Electrical installs. Yes , you can have a registered Compex Electrician oversee the work, but with the amount you are talking about, I think he would find it difficult to keep tabs on everything that is going on; and as you know it has to be done correctly, there is no room for error.

Regards.

 

[listener]

You dont need to be compex certified but what you do need is a competent person. Compex qualification does however show a degree of understanding in hazardous area protection concepts.

 

[Engineer54]

You dont need to be compex certified but what you do need is a competent person. Compex qualification does however show a degree of understanding in hazardous area protection concepts.

What do you mean by ''competent person''?? Do you mean as in Scheme Provider competent?? lol!!
Listen, to carry out work in a designated hazardous area without any form of certification from a recognised body (such as the Compex certification), to your name is just asking for trouble. Most operators of such installations will almost always insist on certificated installers/maintenance personnel to comply with insurance policy requirements.... Be that via a single certified supervisor or individual certified personnel.

 

[listener]

It is possible to gain competency with other training providers however as far as I know only compex have a practical assessment. If the others do then by all means let me know.

 

[Engineer54]

It is possible to gain competency with other training providers however as far as I know only compex have a practical assessment. If the others do then by all means let me know.

Have no idea, all i would say is, that any certification needs to be by a Recognised certifying body.

 

[Knobhead]

Why do you need this training?
If you're employers deem it to be required they will sort it for you and pay.

I really can't see the point continuing unless you have a need to go ahead.

 

[clematis432]

Worked in a large pharmaceutical plant with loads of Exe equipment with around 12 maintenance electricians employed and NONE of us were Compex qualified. The company deemed us as competent to maintain this equipment.
Also our major electrical contractor on site installed such equipment without any of their electricians being Compex qualified although we inspected/tested and signed of the install. It,s only recently, with a change of engineering management, that electricians were trained to Compex qualification.
So to answer your question, you DO NOT have to be Compex qualified to work on this equipment, although nobody will dispute that it is much preferable being trained in such.

 

[parker56]

BigSi,where did you do your course?

 

[Engineer54]

Worked in a large pharmaceutical plant with loads of Exe equipment with around 12 maintenance electricians employed and NONE of us were Compex qualified. The company deemed us as competent to maintain this equipment.
Also our major electrical contractor on site installed such equipment without any of their electricians being Compex qualified although we inspected/tested and signed of the install. It,s only recently, with a change of engineering management, that electricians were trained to Compex qualification.
So to answer your question, you DO NOT have to be Compex qualified to work on this equipment, although nobody will dispute that it is much preferable being trained in such.

There is your answer then, companies are probably having to tighten up to comply with insurance demands and or policy costs. I had in mind in my earlier posts on this thread, the very small outfits that would maybe take on such work. They would be very foolish to get involved in say, forecourt electrical work and the like, without having any hazardous area certified personnel and accompanying insurance.... lol!!

If i was managing an operation that was designated as a full blown hazardous area, i wouldn't be employing any sub-contractors that didn't have certification to carry out installations in hazardous areas, or i would imagine the relevant insurance cover. I'd also make sure that all in-house maintenance staff were given official recognised training too...


When you think about it , it's really a no-brainer!!

 

[sparky1690]

Engineer 54 this is the route my company are trying to go "COMPETENT person", who deems competency???? Passing a recognised course proves competency in my opinion.
All the fittings/DB's are Exe, so as i was told on my course only Compex trained personnel should be working on them.
The hangars also need to be electrically inspected every 6 months due to the nature of them.
Thanks for all the advise so far.
Really could do with any legislation to quote if there is one, please.
REgards.

 

[Engineer54]

Sorry i can't, My in-house training was a very long time ago, before the advent of Ex. In those day's hazardous area installation regulations etc, followed very similar lines to the American way of doing thing's.

Most if not all, the projects i've been involved with since, have always specified NFPA 70 and other associated American codes, where hazardous areas apply, so my experience of Ex/Exx is a little limited. From what i do know of Ex/Exx, the American codes are a better and easier system to follow, but maybe not to install...lol!!