UK’s first IECEx service facilities certificate issued

26 August 2008

Sira has become the first certification body to issue an IECEx Certificate of Conformity for the repair and overhaul of hazardous area equipment to a UK-based repair workshop. The certificate, awarded to Detectronic, is the first of its kind to be issued in the UK under the IECEx Service Facilities Program, for which Sira was also the first organisation to be officially recognised as an Approved IECEx Certification Body.

UK’s first IECEx service facilities certificate issued by Sira

Speaking about the issue of the certificate, Sira’s Managing Director, Mike Shearman commented; “This is a great achievement for Detectronic, Sira and the IECEx Scheme in general. It clearly demonstrates the competence and commitment to high standards of Detectronic’s employees.

"The IECEx Service Facilities Program, which Sira helped to develop, is rapidly gaining momentum and I am pleased that Sira continues to be at the forefront of this drive, offering premium compliance services to repair workshops around the world,” Shearman added.

Detectronic manufactures, services and repairs a wide range of area velocity Flow Meters at its facility in Nelson, Lancashire. Most of the Instrumentation produced or repaired by the company is destined for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. The company employs a skilled workforce with more than 50 years’ accumulated experience in the design, manufacture, service and repair of Intrinsically Safe flow metres.
Detectronic Board of Directors has welcomed the introduction of the IECEx Service Facilities scheme, as it supports the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering World Class service and repair standards for its valued customers. Gerry Burby, Technical Director of Detectronic Ltd stated: “Our customers will continue to receive the same high levels of service they have come to expect from our team of engineers, but we now offer them the added security of knowing that all work is carried out to IECEx standards with world-wide recognition and full traceability.”

The scheme covers the repair and overhaul of equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres, providing both OEMs and end-users with the confidence that repair workshops work in accordance with strict technical and quality system requirements laid down within an internal IEC framework. Working to IEC 60079-19 the service facility is assessed to ensure that the essential aspects of the quality management system procedures, the working environment, staff competence, repair methodologies and calibration of test and measurement equipment are satisfactorily operated and maintained.

The end result is the issue of an IECEx Certificate of Conformity, demonstrating that the service facility can carry out repair and overhaul of equipment in accordance with the requirements of the published standards.
The awarding of the certificate follows on from Sira’s issue of the world’s first service facility certificate issued to MARC Thailand in November 2007.