A Quick Guide to Hazardous Location Lighting

A Quick Guide to Hazardous Location Lighting

"Plenty of commercial facilities have areas where lighting fixtures can come into contact with hazardous materials. These can be flammable, combustible, or ignitable materials, gases, or vapors. These areas can be at risk of fire or even explosion if the lighting fixtures can't withstand the abnormal conditions."

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LED lighting is one of the most energy-efficient advancements in the lighting and electrical equipment industry, significantly altering our perception of illumination. Its acceptance across various sectors is a testament to its efficiency and versatility. This innovative technology is now becoming the preferred choice for lighting in hazardous locations.

Hazardous locations are highly industrialized areas with harsh environments containing explosive vapors and gases, necessitating specialized lighting. According to OSHA, hazardous locations are those "where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings."

Experts such as electrical inspectors, engineers, owners, and insurance companies typically classify these hazardous locations, dividing them into either ordinary (shock and fire-prone) or hazardous (explosion-prone) areas.

Classification of Hazardous Locations

OSHA classifies hazardous locations into three classes, each with respective divisions. Division 1 involves the presence of flammable or ignitable substances during normal operations or machinery malfunctions, while Division 2 pertains to the presence of these substances under unusual operating conditions.

Class I Locations

Class I hazardous locations have flammable vapors or gases in the air that can cause harm through potential explosions or ignitions due to electrical issues or other spark sources. LEDs like Enzo UFO High Bay, designed with rugged explosion-proof construction, are certified for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C, D.

• Petroleum refineries
• Gasoline storage and dispensing areas
• Utility gas plants
• Liquified petroleum gas or natural gas storage and handling facilities

Class II Locations

These locations have enough combustible dust in the air to cause an explosion. LEDs like Ergo Linear High Bay, suitable for Class II, Division 1 & 2, Groups E, F, G, offer excellent replacements for bulky, high-maintenance fixtures in dusty areas.

• Grain elevators
• Flour and feed mills
• Industrial plants dealing with magnesium or aluminum powders

Class III Locations

Class III locations contain easily ignitable fibers and flyings, which, although not suspended in the air, can be ignited by heat or electric sparks. LEDs like Trabuco Outdoor Area Light provide wide & narrow optics for uniform illumination, enhancing visibility in such locations.

• Textile mills, cotton gins
• Cotton seed mills
• Industrial plants producing sawdust or flyings

Hazardous Location Lighting

Hazardous location lights, or HazLoc lights, are designed to minimize explosion risks from sparks or other accidental events. These explosion-proof lights ensure the safety of workers and businesses while also providing energy efficiency, especially when using LEDs.

HazLoc LEDs undergo rigorous testing and stringent quality checks before being certified for use, ensuring safety and compliance with industry standards.

HazLoc LED Industry Standards

Various organizations have established standards for HazLoc LEDs:

NFPA

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publishes information relevant to various industries, including hazard assessments via NFPA 497 (explosive gas) and NFPA 499 (dust). The NFPA 70® covers the National Electrical Code (NEC).

NEC

The National Electrical Code (NEC) under NFPA 70 is the benchmark for safe electrical design, installation, and inspection to protect people and property from electrical hazards.

IP Rating

Ingress Protection or International Protection rating classifies the degree of protection provided by mechanical casings and electrical enclosures against various elements like dust and water.

IK Rating

Impact protection rating (IK Rating) defines the degree of protection against external mechanical impacts on electrical enclosures, determining their ability to withstand high-energy impacts.

NEMA

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) defines categories of heavy-duty electrical enclosures based on access to hazardous parts and environmental conditions.

ATEX

ATEX certification by the European Union covers equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres, requiring compliance for HazLoc and explosion-proof equipment installed in the EU.

IECEx

The IECEx System facilitates international trade in equipment for explosive atmospheres, maintaining safety levels. It defines 'Ex' areas as Hazardous Locations, Hazardous Areas, or Explosive Atmospheres.

RoHS

RoHS Directive restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS-certified HazLoc LED products ensure quality and sustainable practices.

Types of HazLoc LEDs and Their Applications

Various types of HazLoc LEDs meet different lighting requirements:

LED High Bays

High Bay LEDs illuminate spaces with high ceilings, offering clear visibility through even light distribution, ideal for commercial and industrial use in high humidity, temperature, or dust environments like marine, aerospace, and pumping stations.

LED Area Lights

LED area lights illuminate outdoor spaces, designed to be explosion-proof for applications such as oil refineries, gas stations, and loading docks.

LED Jelly Jar Lights

These vapor-proof fixtures are sealed and gasketed, suitable for industries like oil & gas, LNG & chemicals, flour, and particle production/storage facilities.

LED Exit Signs

LED emergency exit signs are designed for hazardous locations with flammable vapors or gases, ensuring highly visible exit marking for safe egress during emergencies.

Trouble Work Lights

Handheld work site luminaires are ideal for small, confined spaces in hazardous locations like manufacturing plants, chemical plants, and oil refineries.

For more details, visit explosion light fixtures. Additional reading: Top 10 Explosion Proof Lighting Manufacturers ...

Benefits of HazLoc LEDs

HazLoc LEDs offer several advantages:

Explosion-proof design

Components are encased to prevent sparks or flames from escaping the internal housing, reducing the risk of ignition.

Greater mobility

The sturdy frame and thicker tempered glass lenses make HazLoc LEDs highly resistant to vibrations, facilitating easy transportation and mobility.

Durability

The rugged build of explosion-proof light fixtures ensures high durability, reducing maintenance and replacement costs while withstanding harsh environments.

High efficiency

These LEDs are extremely energy-efficient, using over 90% of the energy to produce light, and thus saving on-site energy costs.

Flexible options

Modern HazLoc LEDs come in modular designs with multiple mounting options, allowing for easy adaptation to various lighting needs while saving energy.

Mercury-free

HazLoc LEDs are environmentally friendly, mercury-free, and reduce disposal costs, providing a sustainable lighting solution.

According to Mordor Intelligence, the Hazardous Location LED Lighting market is expected to reach USD 636.6 million by 2025, registering a CAGR of 8.86% during 2020-2025. North America is predicted to be the largest market.

Establishments in hazardous locations face extreme work environments and risks of explosions. Ensuring the safety of workers and establishments with explosion-proof LEDs offers improved ROI as a bonus.

When you think about safety, think explosion-proof HazLoc LEDs!