For a business that operates in hazardous environments, equipment and employees consistently experience the threat of potential explosions occurring if safety precaution implementation is inaccurate. For this reason, lighting is an integral part of any business, and understanding how Ex-proof lighting will work in hazardous environments is crucial. Additionally, for any company that operates in hazardous areas, it's imperative to use Explosion-Proof lighting. By utilizing Ex-Proof lighting, you lower the risk of explosion because caused by dangerous gases like Propane and Methane.
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You'll find that several sectors such as oil refineries, chemical plants, food processing industries, and mines utilize Ex-Proof lighting. And, Standard lighting falls short of overcoming the unique challenges when operating in hazardous areas.
The designation 'explosion proof' doesn't mean that the lighting fixture will survive explosions or fires fully intact. Instead, it means the light's design contains sparks that would otherwise cause fire or explosion in confined spaces.
The lighting fixture encases inside a thick frame with extremely robust lenses. Additionally, the case creates a blockage between sparks and other ignition sources like flammable dust, fibers, or vapors that might exist in the environment upon the installed light fixture. Thicker lenses and frames with complex blockages contribute to a more durable and stronger lighting fixture.
Due to the robust design of , the risk of explosions and ignitions occurring are extremely low. As a result, the lighting significantly improves the safety of employees working in hazardous locations as well.
The primary benefit of using Explosion-Proof LED lights over traditional lighting is the energy-efficiency. Specifically, Explosion-Proof LED lights typically consume 90 percent less energy than standard fixtures. The durability of these lights means that they'll continue to work at their original level of illumination for about 50,000 hours. In some cases, they even last 100,000 hours despite continuous use. Durability and better efficiency reduce maintenance and operating costs.
Installing Explosion-Proof lighting reduces explosive risks by preventing the ignition of flammable gases and vapors in enclosed environments. More importantly, the National Electric Code or the NEC, published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), mandates all lighting equipment used in hazardous locations to be explosion-proof.
Below are Explosion-Proof classifications specifying the environmental and safety hazard requirements.
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Class I, Division 1 area encompasses the combination of Zone 0 and Zone 1 areas.
Zone 0 locations of high concentrations of combustible gases, vapors, dust, or liquids always present for long periods during operations.
Zone 1 locations might have combustible gases, vapors, dust, or liquids present at any time during normal operations.
Class I, Division 2, or Zone 2 are locations that do not have combustible by-products during normal operations. However, concentrations might be present under abnormal conditions, such as sudden leaks. As a general guide, those abnormal conditions should not exceed 10 hours a year.
Non-hazardous or Unclassified locations are classified as neither Class I, Division 1 or Division 2, Zone 0, Zone 1 or Zone 2, or any combination. For instance, aerosol sprays used in commercial or residential areas might have flammable gases, but they are still considered low risk to cause an explosion.
There are a lot of different types of lighting on the market today. When it comes to the matter of explosion proof lighting, many people are confused by what it means and where it's an applicable choice. Let's take a closer look with our breakdown of explosion proof lighting.
The first thing in our breakdown of explosion proof lighting is to understand what it is based on construction. Explosion proof lighting is a light fixture capable of withstanding an explosion in areas that are hazardous, such as manufacturing plants or laboratories, without the fixture breaking, shattering, or being otherwise compromised. Certain fixtures of this nature are also able to contain the explosion from even spreading into the environment surrounding the fixture. This type of lighting is ideal for areas where vapors, gases, heat, or other flammable materials are present to help reduce the likelihood of a total loss of your light fixtures in the event of an accident, and they also ensure glass from the fixture won't go flying in the event of an explosion which only adds to the danger of the situation.
A lot of people confuse explosion proof and shatter resistant fixtures as being one in the same, but they are two different lighting solutions. Shatterproof lighting means the fixture is made with a shatter resistant lens or bulb to stop the fixture from exploding and sending glass everywhere. These are commonly seen in places with high heat but free from gasses such as commercial kitchens. An explosion proof fixture is for areas where hazardous gasses and flammable materials are present, and explosions are a real concern.
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