BARTEC Academy Launches Digital Learning Course: Explosion Protection Professional Awareness (ExPP) Certificate

This Ex learning certificate is designed for professionals in industries such as oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, chemical, hydrogen, aviation, logistic & transportation, mining, and other sectors where explosive atmospheres may be present. This course covers essential topics including: 
• Identifying explosion risks and area classification 
• Understanding protective technologies and methods 
• Complying with international safety standards and regulations 

Co-authored by Ex protection expert Bob Johnson, President of SOURCE IEx with Fernando Sanchez-Arias as its learning designer, this learning experience integrates theoretical knowledge with real-world applications to ensure participants not only understand the principles of explosion protection but can also apply them effectively in their daily work environments. 
 

With safety at the core of its mission, the ExPP Certificate aims to enhance operational safety, reduce risks, and strengthen compliance with global standards like ATEX, IECEx, ISO/IEC, NEC, UKCA, UKEX, and INMETRO. Upon successful completion, participants receive a digital certificate that recognizes their commitment to safety in potentially explosive environments. 

This program is ideal for engineers, technicians, HSE professionals, and managers who are responsible for ensuring safe operations in hazardous areas. It is designed as an introduction for new professionals working in hazardous areas as well as a refresher for seasoned and experienced engineers and technicians. 

The ExPP Awareness Certificate provides: 
• Safety Compliance: Meet regulatory and industry safety standards in explosive atmospheres 
• Enhanced Awareness: Understand explosion risks and protection principles to create safer workplaces 
• Skill Advancement: Expand your technical expertise in explosion safety 
• Expert Instruction: Learn from seasoned professionals through practical, real-world instruction 
• Professional Recognition: Earn a digital certificate upon completing the quizzes after each of the 20 learning modules. 

• Identify hazardous locations and classify explosive atmospheres 
• Understand the Fire Triangle 
• Identify protection methods and concepts (intrinsic safety, flameproof, pressurization) 
• Recognize international safety standards and navigate regulations (ATEX, IECEx, ISO/IEC, NEC, UKCA, UKEx, INMETRO) 
• Learn to interpret equipment marking strings, gas groups, and temperature codes 

• Introduction to Explosion Protection Fundamentals 
• Area Classification and Standards (IEC 60079, ISO/IEC 80079, ATEX, NEC) 
• Fire Triangle and Sources of Ignition 
• Equipment Protection Concepts 
• Marking Strings, Gas Groups, and Temperature Codes 
• Competency Roles and Responsibilities 

2. Can you walk us through the key topics you cover in the ExPP training, and how they align with current industry standards? 

The ExPP Awareness Certificate covers key areas essential to explosion protection: 

• Hazardous location identification 

• Protective concepts and methods like intrinsic safety, flameproof protection, and pressurization 

• Global standards such as ATEX, IECEx, and more 

• The Fire Triangle to understand and prevent explosions 

• Equipment marking interpretation 

These topics are all aligned with the latest international safety regulations and practices. 

Sign here to the ExPP Awareness Certificate course.

3. How does the ExPP Awareness Certificate address real-world challenges in hazardous environments? 

The course integrates real-world scenarios with theoretical principles to help professionals navigate evolving regulations, complex equipment selection, and risk mitigation strategies. We use practical examples and case studies to show how these concepts are applied in everyday industrial settings. 

4. What sets the ExPP Awareness course from other explosion protection programs? 
The difference lies in the blend of deep technical knowledge and instructional design. Fernando brings expert learning design, while I contribute my field expertise. This course goes beyond video content—it includes learning guides, assessments, and real-world applications. 
The program is globally accessible and leads to a recognized certificate, making it ideal for professionals around the world. It’s built to equip leaders and team members alike with immediately actionable knowledge. 
And we’re not stopping here—Fernando and I are working on the next step: the ExPP Competence Certificate. This learning program will thoroughly prepare those who design and install equipment and systems in hazardous areas, as well as those who work in or inspect environments with potential explosive atmospheres, to take the IECEx Certificate of Personnel Competence (CoPC) exam and obtain this prestigious certification.

5. Can you mention some of the companies and organizations you've worked with? 
I’ve had the honor of working with top-tier companies across oil and gas, maritime, manufacturing, and safety sectors, including:  Transocean, Tote Maritime, NOV, Halliburton, Siemens, Braeden, Noble, Baker Hughes, Matson Maritime, Zeeco, M&I Electric Brazil, Haskell, Focal Technologies, ABS, USCG, BSEE, Cameron LNG, SLB, Oxy, Ocean Edge Services, Kent, and Modec. 
Each engagement helped tailor the training to meet the unique safety challenges of that organization.