A hazardous location lighting refers to fixtures that are used safely in a certain area where a fire is likely to occur. Hazardous sites are defined as environment “where explosion or fire dangers may occur because of flammable gases or vapors, combustible dust, flammable liquid, or ignitable flying or fibers,” as per the National Electrical Code.
Because electrical equipment, especially lighting fixtures, can also be an ignition source in these volatile places, a large portion of the NEC is dedicated to discussing hazardous sites. Chemical factories, laboratories, mining operations, oil & gas refineries, and other industrial facilities with high temperatures, flammable materials, vapors, or corrosive liquid may be included.
Because light fixtures are generally electrical devices, they can cause sparks that can ignite combustible gases and other objects. Where these conditions exist, explosion-proof lighting will be a critical component for safety. Installing light fixtures that are not designed for these dangerous environments could lead to a disaster.
Any industrial working environment can be negatively impacted by hazardous site illumination. Are you aware that there was 1,318,500 incidents of fires in the United States in 2018—and that this number peaked at 1,389,500 in 2011? The United States Fire Administration, which provided these numbers, stated that electrical malfunction is sometimes the cause of these incidents.
LEDLightExpert.com manufactures the best quality hazardous location lights that can be conveniently used in any such hazardous location.
What are hazardous areas?
Without substantial experience, determining a dangerous area from a basic evaluation of any plants or a plant layout is rare. The investigation of the basic features of the components present, as well as the probability of a release is critical.
Hazardous area classifications separate areas into a few zones depending on the likelihood of a leak, the rate of release, the area’s concentration, ventilation, and velocity. The materials being utilized are also taken into account, and the region is assigned equipment groups and a temperature classification depending on the material attributes.
To ignite different gases, different amounts of energy are required. Electrical apparatus is classified according to its compatibility for usage with flammable or specific gases using the notion of gas grouping or temperature classification.
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) defines hazardous sites through a certain system of class, division, or zone, and a group that product must be designated as to be utilized in those regions, according to the NEC (National Electric Code).
The broad type of material or substance present in that area, the chance that it is existing, and more particular specifications, e.g. ignition temperatures and also combustible properties, are used to classify hazardous areas.
Classes: Type of material or substance
Class I:
A flammable gas, combustible liquid, and liquid-produced vapors are present in amounts big enough for causing an explosion in a Class I hazardous environment. Airplane hangars, automobile paint shops, business laundromats, and gas stations are all common targets.
Class II:
This category includes flammable dust that may be present in large concentrations. Mines, granaries, starch or sugar plants, and also plastic-producing facilities are also common locales.
Class III:
This kind of environment has easily ignitable flying or fibers present in the air, but they are unlikely to be in big enough quantities to trigger an explosion. Cotton mills, textile mills, and sawmill facilities are all common locales.
Divisions: Possibilities that materials or substances exist
Division 1:
Under normal conditions, the substance or material occurs or is quite likely to exist, and it may exist frequently as a result of repairs, maintenance, leakage, equipment malfunction, or defective operation.
Division 2:
Any material or substance does not ordinarily present in a certain area or is contained in closed containers from which it can only escape in the event of an unintentional rupture, equipment failure, or abnormal equipment performance.
Class I, Division 1:
Any liquid-produced vapors, flammable gas, or vapors produced by combustible liquid may be present in amounts big enough for causing an explosion in this type of location. Under normal conditions, the substance occurs or is also likely to exist, and it may occur frequently due to repairs, maintenance, leakage, defective operation, or equipment malfunction.
Class I, Division 2:
Flammable gas, combustible liquid-produced vapors, or liquid-produced vapors are unlikely to exist in these locations. Substances are contained in sealed containers that only allow them to escape in the event of an accident, equipment failure, or irregular ventilation.
This categorization can also be used for an area that is close to this location, but lacks sufficient pressure ventilations.
Class II, Division 1:
Combustible dust is available in hazardous proportions in this area. Under normal conditions, the substance does exist or possibly exist, or it can be created by equipment failure or faulty operation. If there are dangerous levels of combustible dust of Group E type in the region, also this classification can be assigned.
Class II, Division 2:
Because of anomalous activities, hazardous quantities of flammable dust could collect on electrical equipment in this location, inhibiting effective heat dissipation. In these situations, combustible dust could be ignited by aberrant machine operation or failures.
Class III, Division 1:
Easily ignitable fibers can be made, used, or handled in this area. These elements are unlikely to be in enough suspension to generate an explosion.
Class III, Division 2:
Easy-to-ignite fibers or combustible flying that are handled or stored in these sites, but not manufactured.
What a hazardous location lighting is?
In a dangerous situation, a lighting fixture is one that may be safely used in a certain area where a fire is likely to occur. A hazardous place or hazardous area is another name for this area. Explosion and fire threats are prevalent in hazardous locations.
Fibers, dust, fumes, and gases are examples of potential risks. All of these dangers are combustible, especially when there is a light present.
Electrical equipment, when installed, could be an ignite source due to high temperatures or electrical arching. Fortunately, norms and standards exist to help people categorize dangers. Locate these addresses.
There are also laws and standards available for equipment that has been built specifically to be secure for application in these environments.
Hazardous area lighting regulations are extremely critical. Therefore, you must ensure that your light fixtures are certified for usage in these dangerous places when selecting them.