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

BARTEC Academy, international Ex learning arm of BARTEC, is proud to announce the launch of the Explosion Protection Professional (ExPP) Awareness Certificate — a new digital learning program designed to provide foundational knowledge on explosion protection for professionals working in hazardous environments, following IEC 60079 and ISO-IEC 80079 standards.

Explosion Protection Professional (ExPP) Awareness Certificate Course for Work in Hazardous Area

Explosion Protection Professional (ExPP) Awareness Certificate Course for Safe Work in Hazardous Areas

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. 

Ready to strengthen your explosion protection knowledge? 

What Is the Explosion Protection Professional (ExPP) Awareness Certificate?

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. 

 

Key Learning Outcomes of the ExPP Certificate

• 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 

Curriculum Highlights of the ExPP Certificate

• 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 

Interview with Bob Johnson, Co-author of the ExPP Awareness Certificate

1. What inspired you to start conducting explosion protection training, and how have they evolved over time? 
My inspiration for conducting explosion protection training came from my extensive experience in the field of explosion protection and safety. Over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the critical need for professionals to have a deep understanding of the risks and protective technologies in hazardous environments. When I began in this industry, training was often inconsistent, and there was a noticeable gap in foundational knowledge. 

As safety standards evolved, so did the need for more structured and accessible training programs. Over time, I’ve focused on developing comprehensive, practical training that not only educates but empowers professionals to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. With the work Fernando Sanchez-Arias and I did to launch the ExPP Awareness Certificate, I’m proud and fortunate to offer a program that is offered worldwide, digitally accessible, informative, practical and aligned with the latest industry standards. 

Robert Johnson, Co-author of the ExPP Awareness Certificate and President of SOURCE IEx

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. 

Sign up here to the ExPP Awareness Certificate course

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A global digital training certificate offering foundational knowledge of explosion protection. Participants receive a BARTEC Academy certificate after completing the micro-learning videos, reading the learning guides, and doing the quizzes of each module. 

Anyone interested in explosion protection basics, including engineers, technicians, safety professionals, and managers.

Because it’s built by global experts with proven track record of experience (Bob Johnson in Explosion Protection and Fernando Sanchez-Arias in digital learning), grounded in international Ex standards, and accessible online worldwide. 

The course has 20 micro-learning videos that can be completed in between 5-7 hours, depending on the time dedication invested by each learner. 

The registration fee is 297 dollars. It covers access to twenty micro-learning videos, learning guides, quizzes, and a certificate of completion. 

Bob Johnson, recognized explosion protection expert, ExPP Awareness Certificate co-author, academic council senior member of BARTEC Academy, and president of SOURCE IEx, delivers the certificate and interacts with learners in the different lessons. You can contact Bob at academy@bartec.com.

Fernando Sanchez-Arias, dean of BARTEC Academy, manages the ExPP Awareness Certificate, ensuring the academic quality and the excellence of the learner/user experience. You can contact Fernando at academy@bartec.com.
Start your journey to becoming Explosion Protection Aware today:  https://www.bartecacademy.com/courses/explosion-protection-professional-awareness-expp

 

Share this article