Recognised Practitioner Programme (RPPEx01-RPPx04)
Renamed the Recognised Practitioners Programme, this tailored recertification course has been developed for experienced electrical and instrument technicians who regularly operate in hazardous areas (locations) and want to recertify their competence under the CompEx Scheme.
All CompEx certified practitioners are required to recertify every 5 years. There are two routes for recertification for Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04):
- Recognised Practitioners Programme (Ex01RPP – Ex04RPP) Shorter refresher course
- Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04) Full five-day course
The RPP replaces the previous CompEx Refresher module. Employers and practitioners should consider knowledge, skills and recent experience when deciding which course to attend for recertification.
Some practitioners may regularly work in hazardous areas (locations), but for others this may be infrequent, or something that they have not done for several years. Practitioners that have previously successfully completed the full five-day core practitioner course, Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04), and regularly work in hazardous areas can recertify using the Recognised Practitioners Programme (1).
However, it may be more appropriate for practitioners that have previously completed the five-day practitioner course, Gas and Vapours (Ex01 – Ex04) but do not regularly work in hazardous areas to attend the full five-day course (2) again. This provides learners with more classroom time ahead of practical assessments and theory examinations.
Please note: CompEx certificates are valid for a maximum of 5 years from the date of issue and must be refreshed before the expiry date on the certificate. Failure to refresh before the expiry date will result in having to take the full qualification (Ex01 – Ex04) assessment again.
Who Should Attend?
The RPP is suitable for practicing electrical or instrument technicians who are involved in installing, inspecting, and maintaining certified Ex electrical equipment in locations where gases and vapours can potentially create a hazardous area.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should be:
- Valid, in-date CompEx certificate for Ex01-Ex04
- Practicing competent electrical technicians
- Practicing competent instrument technicians
- Electrical/instrument engineers with previous practical experience
Course Details
Duration:
- 2/3 days (dependent on preferred Approved Training Provider)
Learning Format:
The 2/3-day course includes:
- 1-2 days of guided learning (theoretical approx. 7-14 hours, practical 1-2 hours)
- 1-day of assessment
Learning Outcomes
Candidates that successfully complete the RPP will:
- Know the correct national regulations, directives and IEC standards which are applicable to hazardous areas.
- Know the correct criteria and descriptors used to classify a hazardous area.
- Recognise the correct characteristics of common hazardous gases and vapours discussed in the course.
- Demonstrate an underpinning knowledge of how certified Ex electrical equipment including Ex ‘d’, ‘e’, ‘n’, ‘p’, ‘m’, ‘o’, ‘q’, ‘s’, and Intrinsic Safety (IS) maintains its protection concept, and how it is to be selected, installed, inspected, and maintained.
Assessment Process
Assessment is undertaken using both practical assessment and online examination which covers the four separate CompEx units.
Online exam
Candidates must undertake an online examination which is split into two parts.
- Ex01RPP/Ex03RPP Installation (equipment, cable gland and accessories selection) – 1 hour 10 minutes
- Ex01RPP- Ex04RPP Theory examination – 30 minutes
Practical assessments
Candidates are required to undertake three practical assessments.
- Ex01RPP Cable glanding and termination – 1 hour 15 minutes
- Ex02RPP Non-IS inspection – 1 hour 30 minutes
- Ex04RPP IS inspection – 1 hour 15 minutes
Certification
Successful candidates will receive the internationally recognised CompEx Certificate in Core Competence, valid for 5 years.