Electric equipment, including even the most fundamental lights, can start deadly explosions and fires in a wide variety of potentially dangerous environments. The environment in these kinds of places is made up of combustible vapors, fumes, mists, and dust particles, and it may easily catch fire. The standard lighting that is utilized inside of a house poses a significant risk of injury when utilized in an environment such as this one. Hazardous location lights are a solution that has been developed by producers of lighting products to address the life-threatening issues that have been brought to light.
What Exactly Is Meant By The Term “Hazardous Location Lights”?
There is no possibility of combustion when using lights developed specifically for use in hazardous environments, which are known as hazardous site lights. Insulation is incorporated into the construction of these lights so that any electrical components will be shielded from coming into touch with combustible substances.
As a guide for the installation of electrical components like lighting, the National Electric Code (NEC) and the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) have collaborated to classify potentially hazardous areas as falling into one of three categories: Class I, Class II, or Class III. These classifications serve as a classification system for potentially hazardous areas. These classes indicate various levels of combustibility, with Class I being the most hazardous since it contains gases or vapors that are capable of spontaneous combustion. Because gases and vapors can very readily enter a conventional lighting product, additional care is made with the design of the lights that are used in these locations to prevent external gases and vapors from entering them. These lights are designed with particular safety features. Combustible dust is the basis for Class II, whereas ignitable fibers are the basis for Class III. The design criteria for lighting in each of these distinct locations vary, however, the majority of manufacturers make things straightforward by ensuring that the majority of hazardous site lights are compliant with the requirements of the majority of all of these classes. It is a certain way to end up causing damage to property and workers, and maybe even fatalities, if you use a regular LED High Bay Light in an area that requires greater safety requirements owing to the presence of dangers.
The fact that hazardous site lights often have a considerably greater temperature threshold is another advantage associated with using them. These lights are designed to maintain a lower temperature outdoors (or any place in the light where a combustible item might come into contact). This is necessary because combustible materials can easily catch fire when exposed to an increase in temperature. In addition to that, these lights can withstand a significant amount of vibration.
What Kinds Of Situations Call For The Utilization Of Hazardous Site Lights?
There are a lot of different places that have the potential to explode and have flammable ingredients. Even the smallest spark or increase in temperature has the potential to inflict significant damage and put the lives of people in jeopardy. The following is a list of locales that are examples of such places:
- Refineries, service stations, and other establishments that manufacture process, and transport petroleum products.
- Plants that are used in the manufacturing of alcohol, such as distilleries, wineries, and others.
- Establishments that manufacture paint
- Marine Applications of All Kinds, Including Ocean Vessels
- Mines
- Manufacturing Facilities for Chemicals
- Locations of factories producing explosive ordnance, firearms, and ammunition, as well as storage areas
Why Use Lights Designed For Hazardous Locations?
It should go without saying that nobody wants to start a fire or an explosion that might put people in danger or destroy property. As was said earlier, there are many different environments in which the utilization of hazardous site lights is required to ensure the protection of both people and property. These fixtures make use of specialized wiring, connectors, and other electrical components, and they contribute to the prevention of fire while also isolating all electronic components fully. In areas where potentially dangerous chemicals might come into touch with the fixture, they will also utilize insulation and many layers of the casing to limit temperatures from becoming too high.
Who Or What Is Responsible For Defining What Constitutes Dangerous Locations?
In the United States, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the National Electric Code (NEC) are the organizations responsible for defining the classifications. This method of hazardous area categorization may be found in articles 500 through 506 of both the NFPA and the NEC. As was said before, the NFPA classifies things according to a variety of different divisions of classes, such as Class I, Class II, and Class III. Within these categories are subdivisions that categorize the many kinds of dangers that might be encountered. Be careful to check the specifications (class and division) of your hazardous location before purchasing lights for that area, and only purchase lights that meet those requirements. This will ensure that the lights you purchase are suitable for that place.
How Many Different Kinds Of Lights Are There For Use In Areas That Might Be Hazardous?
There is a diverse selection of lighting options available for use in hazardous environments, including LED High Bay Lights, Linear High Bay Lights, and UFO High Bay Lights. These lights for hazardous locations are also available as LED Shoebox Lights, LED Flood Lights, LED Vapor Proof Lights, emergency illumination such as Exit signs, and other types of lighting. In the same way that there are many various kinds of light fixtures built for certain uses, there are also many different kinds of hazardous site lights developed specifically for the requirements of the place.
You may protect yourself from potential dangers and maintain a safe working environment by making the prudent investment in appropriate hazardous area lighting. Not only will this protect staff, but in settings such as petrol stations, it will also safeguard consumers and onlookers. These lights will be more expensive than ordinary lighting since they contain components that have been improved and new components that have been added to assist reach the requisite level of safety. The increased expense is much less than the additional cost that would be incurred by not employing the appropriate illumination and having an accident that might end in someone’s death. Even if hazardous area lights have a higher price tag than regular lights, the money spent on them is unquestionably money well spent. Determine the category of hazardous area lights you require and then go out and purchase those lights.