Introduction
When choosing lighting for areas where flammable materials such as gases or dusts could exist, you need durably manufactured LED fixtures. We carry an extensive line of hazardous location LEDs for safe installations. However, the different classifications, divisions, groups, and zones can get confusing. This comprehensive guide outlines the specifications, why you need hazardous location lighting, and answers frequently asked questions. Keep reading to learn more!
What is Hazardous Area Lighting?
A hazardous area is a location in which there is a risk of fire or explosion due to the presence of flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dusts. Hazardous area lights are specifically designed to operate safely in these high-risk environments. When fixtures aren’t sealed to prevent gases or dust from entering, fires or even explosions could occur. Light fixtures certified for hazardous locations help maintain safety compliance by preventing these materials from reaching potential ignition sources.
Hazardous fixtures have many components making them durable:
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Strong housing: Our fixtures are built with aluminum, stainless steel, or fiberglass materials to be explosion-proof and flame-resistant. They also feature shatterproof lenses (tempered glass, polycarbonate, or glass).
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Flame Resistance: Built with vapor-tight casing to restrict flammable materials.
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Heat-Dissipating Technology: Integrated with heat sinks to regulate the fixture's temperature during high heat and reduce the risk of ignition.
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IP Ratings: Since these areas risk heavy dust, vapor, and liquid exposure, install fixtures with sufficient intrusion and moisture protection. All our hazardous location lighting has at least an IP66 rating, with IP67 and IP68 options available.
What is Explosion-Proof Lighting?
Explosion-proof lights are a type of hazardous location lighting built specifically for areas where explosive gases or substances are present. The design of these fixtures is sealed to block the internal components from any explosive materials. All of the hazardous location fixtures we carry are explosion-proof. Read our Explosion-Proof Lighting Buyer’s Guide to learn more about types of hazardous area lighting.
Classes, Zones, Groups, and Divisions
The hazardous location classes were established by the National Electrical Code (NEC), which is part of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
The classes divide locations up based on the materials present:
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Class I: Locations with gases or vapors present
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Class II: Locations with combustible dust present
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Class III: Locations where flammable fibers or flyings are present
Because of the types of substances present, each classification is more predictable or less extreme in reactions. Class I environments have a greater risk of explosive or flammable substances, whereas Class III areas can have flammable dusts, with explosives less likely. Class II falls in the middle, including high fibers with the potential for secondary explosions due to excess dust.
The classification areas are divided into either Division 1 or Division 2.
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Division 1: Refers to when the materials occur under regular operational conditions.
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Division 2: Refers to when the materials only occur under irregular operational conditions.
Class I locations are divided into four groups based on the vapor type.
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Group A (Division 2): Acetylene
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Group B (Division 2): Hydrogen
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Group C (Division 1 or 2): Ethylene
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Group D (Division 1 or 2): Propane or Natural Gas
Class II locations are divided into three groups based on the dust type.
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Group E (Division 1): Conductive and Explosive Metal Dusts
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Group F (Division 1 or 2): Explosive Carbon Dusts
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Group G (Division 1 or 2): Explosive Flour, Starch, Grain, and Chemical Dusts
The graphic below illustrates how the different categories above interact.
Like the North American Classifications, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and ATEX directives have set the European Classifications of hazardous areas, which divide locations into zones based on the types of flammable materials present.
Zones 0, 1, 2: Gas and Vapor Zones
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Zone 0: Gases and vapors are always present.
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Zone 1: Gases and vapors will be present during regular operations.
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Zone 2: Gases and vapors shouldn’t be present during regular operations, but could be present for short spans.
Zones 20, 21, 22: Dust Zones
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Zone 20: Dust is always present.
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Zone 21: Dust may be present during regular operations.
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Zone 22: Dust will typically not be present during regular operations, but could be for short spans.
Refer to the graphic below for insight into the similarities between the NEC and European classifications.
Temperature Classification Rating
Temperature Classification (T-Class) Ratings are determined by the maximum surface temperature that a fixture may reach while operating in an ambient temperature range of -20° to 40°C (-4° to 104°F). The maximum surface temperature of equipment must be lower than the ignition temperature of any flammable gases, vapors, or dusts that may be present in a hazardous location. The higher the T-Class rating (e.g., T6 vs. T1) of a fixture, the lower its maximum surface temperature.
A product can feature two types of temperature classification ratings: NEC 500/CEC or NEC 505/IEC. The first is set by Article 500 of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the Canada Electrical Code (CEC). Article 505 of the NEC and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) regulate the second classification. The ratings are similar, with the CEC and Article 500 of the NEC breaking the ratings into more subcategories. However, some of the values are the same.
The graphic below shows the ratings based on both classification systems.
Applications
Hazardous location lighting should be used when flammable or explosive vapors, gases, or dusts are or could be present. This includes:
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Leather Goods Workshop
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Paint Booths
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Textile Mills
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Food Processing Plants
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Chemical Plants
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Oil Refineries
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Grain Silos
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Wastewater and Sewage Plants
Types of Hazardous Location Fixtures
Four types of hazardous location fixtures are available depending on your installation:
1. High Bays: These fixtures are suited for areas with ceilings at least 18 feet off the ground. Our hazardous location high bays feature both round and linear high bays. They are great for industrial plants or aircraft hangars.
2. Low Bays: Fixtures ideal for ceilings between 12-18 feet high. The low bays come as round or linear fixtures. Use low bays for grain silos or food processing plants.
3. Flood Light: Square fixtures emit intense, focused light and are fit for indoor or outdoor use. Use flood lights for oil refineries or wastewater plants because of their wide light distribution.
4. Emergency Lights: Fixtures installed in case of a power outage to provide at least 90 minutes of emergency lighting. Emergency lights are a great addition for many hazardous areas, such as power or chemical plants.
Our hazardous location fixtures will list the rating it’s qualified for in its name (i.e., Class I, Division 2).
Refer to this blog for more information on high bay vs low bay lights.
Benefits of the Hazardous Location Fixtures
Many benefits are available for installing our line of hazardous location light fixtures in your industrial space:
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Our hazardous location light fixtures are either UL Listed or Certified by UL, meaning they have been tested and proven to meet safety standards. ‘UL Listed’ includes lighting products not requiring alterations or modifications for installations. ‘UL Certification’ is a newer classification that combines different safety regulations into one and fits UL Listed and UL Classified products.
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'DLC Listed' guarantees a product has undergone testing and met high energy efficiency and light quality requirements. Check with your local utility company to see if rebates are available for using DLC-listed products.
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Hazardous areas can have very low or very high temperatures. We offer lights operable in temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C) or as high as 149°F (65°C).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OSHA Rule for Lighting?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulates the grouping of the different classifications. In this instance, their ‘rule’ refers to the groups created from Classes I and II based on the vapor and dust types.
Are LED Lights Considered Hazardous?
While our certified LEDs can be used in hazardous areas, the lights themselves are not harmful. Because LEDs don't release gases or toxins and emit less heat, they are less hazardous than traditional lighting.
What Are the Hazardous Effects of Lighting?
The structure of our hazardous and explosion-proof fixtures mitigates the potentially hazardous effects of installing lighting not equipped for your space. Our hazardous area LED lighting will feature ‘Explosion Proof’ or ‘Hazardous Location’ in the product name. Verify that the class and division rating is correct for your application. We explain the risks of not using lights with the proper classifications below.
What Are the Risks of Not Implementing Hazardous Location Lighting?
Not installing hazardous location lighting in locations with flammable substances is a safety hazard. Lights built without the sealed, durable casing risk catching fire. Lighting not meeting NEC, OSHA, and NFPA standards can result in legal problems, including fines or legal penalties.
Closing
Installing hazardous location lighting ensures the stability of your fixtures, while also protecting people and your building facilities. For any product questions or concerns, contact one of our product support specialists at 888-249-8166.
