Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

14.1.1. Responsible persons

Responsible persons who are responsible for the processes involved in the design, selection and erection of explosion protected equipment shall possess, at least, the following:

• General understanding of relevant electrical engineering;
• Understanding and ability to read and assess engineering drawings;
• Practical understanding of explosion protection principles and techniques;
• Working knowledge and understanding of relevant standards in explosion protection;
• Basic knowledge of quality assurance, including the principles of auditing, documentation, traceability of measurement and instrument calibration.
• Such persons shall confine their involvement to the management of competent operatives conducting selection and erection duties and not engage themselves directly in the work without ensuring their practical skills at least meet the requirements given in the following.

14.1.2. Operatives/technicians (selection and erection)

Operatives/technicians shall possess, to the extent necessary to perform their tasks, the following:

• Understanding of the general principles of explosion protection;
• Understanding of the general principles of types of protection and marking;
• Understanding of those aspects of equipment design which affect the protection concept;
• Understanding of content of certificates and relevant parts of the standards;
• General understanding of inspection and maintenance requirements of IEC 60079-17;
• Familiarity with the particular techniques to be employed in the selection and erection of equipment referred to in the standards;
• Understanding of the additional importance of permit to work systems and safe isolation in relation to explosion protection.

14.1.3. Designers (design and selection)

Designers shall possess, to the extent necessary to perform their tasks, the following:

• Detailed knowledge of the general principles of explosion protection;
• Detailed knowledge of the general principles of types of protection and marking;
• Detailed knowledge of those aspects of equipment design which affect the protection concept;
• Detailed knowledge of content of certificates and relevant parts of this standard;
• Understanding of practical skills for the preparation and installation of relevant concepts of protection;
• Detailed knowledge of the additional importance of permit to work systems and safe isolation in relation to explosion protection;
• Detailed knowledge of the particular techniques to be employed in the selection and erection of equipment referred to in the standard 60079-14;
• General understanding of inspection and maintenance requirements of IEC 60079- 17.