Baseefa has become the first certification body in the world to have its IECEx scope extended to include electrical Service Facility Certification.
The move confirms Baseefa’s place as world leaders in the Ex certification field, and follows on from the leading role that the Buxton company has taken in the issue of IECEx Product Certificates of Conformity throughout the world.
Managing director Ron Sinclair commented: “We see this as further evidence of our faith in an international system of conformity in hazardous area product certification. In an increasingly-international market, it has been a continual source of frustration that differing technical and conformity assessment criteria, such as the European ATEX directive, has often led manufacturers into having to make distinct products for different parts of the world.
“The intent of the IECEx Scheme is to cut out this waste and achieve a single certificate for a single product or service which is acceptable anywhere in the world. Our acceptance as the first certification body to have its remit extended into the Service Facility field is a major step forward, and we believe points the way to the future.”
The IECEx Certificate of Conformity for Service Facilities covers the repair and overhaul of electrical equipment for use in hazardous or explosive atmospheres. Information and documentation is available on-line by contacting www.iecex.com/service_facilities
The on-line viewable certificates can only be issued by approved IECEx Certification Bodies (initially only Baseefa), and they attest that a service facility as described on the certificate has been independently assessed and found to have the appropriate equipment, competent staff and operating prodcedures which will provide confidence that the repair, overhaul or modication work complies with IECEx requirements, including IEC 60079-19. It also attests that the service facility site has been audited to verify that its quality system meets IECEx requirements, as specified in the IECEx Operational Document OD 014.
Allan Ogden, the internationally respected certification engineer and active member of a range of international standards committees, having recently joined Baseefa from Hawke International will head up this Service Facility programme
The IECEx Operational Manuals obtainable on the website given above include IECEx 03, which aims to ensure that each certification body, accepted by ExMC for the purposes of issuing IECEx Certified Service Facility Certificates, processes applications from Ex repair facilities with the same approach and technical rigour – known as “certifying the IECEx way”. It outlines proceedures for both the issuing and the maintenance of the vailidity of the certificates, including a description of each step showing the link between flowcharts and table; a description of the activity; related documents; the responsible person or party, and additional comments and remarks where appropriate.
Under the procedures for the maintenance of an IECEx Service Facility Certificate, guidance is provided for the certification body when conducting surveillance audits of the facility. It points out that to ensure the on-going credibility of the scheme, in addition to the scheduled audits, it may be necessary for the certification body to conduct unscheduled visits, to “check test” company activities where serious non-compliances have been identified, or to note such instances on the file for raising at the next surveillance audit.The IECEx secretariat, officers and management committee are available to provide assisstance at any time during the maintenance of a Service Facility Certificate.
The on-line documents also outline the procedures for the issuing of certification changes, including the extension of the scope of the certificate; the assessment procedures; technical requirements and quality management system requirements involved in the repair, overhaul and modification of Ex electrical equipment.
ANOTHER BIG NAME FOR BASEEFA
Baseefa’s world leading team of technical experts has been further strengthened by the appointment of Allan Ogden from Hawke International.
Allan, who will head up the electrical Service Facility work of the fast-expanding Buxton company, brings with him a wealth of experience in the field of hazardous area equipment. During his 10 years with Hawke, he was Application Support Manager and worked with most of the major Ex certification bodies in the world, including those in Europe, the USA, Canada, Brazil, Russia and Australia.
He also brings with him many years of involvement and participation in a number of international standards committees. Allan was chairman of UK Committee L/6/10, which represents UK interests worldwide with the IECEx scheme and also interfaces with the Department of Trade and Industry for ATEX certification matters. He has also led the UK delegation to the last five IECEx Management Committee meetings, and been a member of many IECEx Working Groups.
Allan has also been active in international standards making, influencing the most recent editions of the General Requirements, Flameproof, Increased Safety and Ex n standards, as well as the codes of practice for installation and maintenance. He has a broad knowledge of American standards, having been a member of ISA SP12 and also some of the UL Standards Technical Panels.
As he no longer directly represents manufacturing interests, Allan has had to give up chairmanship of L/6/10 and membership of the UL panels, but he will be continuing his involvement with standards making, further strengthening the Baseefa input.
Allan said shortly after his appointment: “I am pleased to be joining the one certification body which, in my experience as a manufacturer, manages to combine technical excellence and integrity with an ability to respond to customer needs.”
“I look forward to playing my part in helping Baseefa to grow and expand into new markets, such as the new electrical Service Facility programme.”
In addition to reinforcing Baseefa’s product certification capability, Allan will be assisting in the development of services to users of equipment and in presenting training workshops.
