LED Explosion Proof Lighting For Hazardous Areas

Explosion Proof Lighting Requirements

Environments containing explosive materials, flammable gasses, vapors or dust require the shielding of any possible ignition source in order to maintain a safe workplace. As these environments are almost always indoors, they require artificial illumination in order to ensure proper visibility and safety for personnel. The light fixtures used for this must meet a number of different requirements, including being specifically designed and certified being explosion proof per the UL 844 Standard.

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UL 844 Standard certified explosion proof lighting is unique when compared to traditional fixtures in the way in which it is constructed. Unlike most light fixtures which have unshielded electronics, and enclosures that are open to air, explosion proof fixtures are specifically designed to shield and separate electronics and electrical components from the outside environment. They also must be impact and shock resistant in the event of an accident in order to prevent exposing their electronics to the outside atmosphere.

Our specialized explosion proof lighting is designed to meet all NEMA requirements for hazardous environments. They feature sealed impact resistant non-conductive aluminum housings and can be mounted in a variety of different manners to work in different environments. With heavy duty lenses and thoroughly shielded electronics, they are ideal for any hazardous environment that requires serious lumen output.

Classes and Divisions for Hazardous Area Lighting

Class I, Division 1 &#; Class I Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where concentrations of vapors, liquids, or gasses such as gasoline exist within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class I, Division 2 &#; Class I Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where concentrations of vapors, liquids, or gasses such as gasoline exist within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Class II, Division 1 &#; Class II Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where combustible dust such as coal exists within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class II, Division 2 &#; Class II Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where combustible dust such as coal exists within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Class III, Division 1 &#; Class III Division 1 lights are necessary in areas where ignitable fibers or combustible flyings such as sawdust exist within the environment under typical operating conditions.

Class III, Division 2 &#; Class III Division 2 lights are necessary in areas where ignitable fibers or combustible flyings such as sawdust exist within the environment under atypical operating conditions.

Explosion Proof Lighting Groups

Explosion-proof lighting fixtures are classified into various letter groupings to identify the types of hazardous materials they are designed to safely operate around. These letter groupings, usually ranging from Group A to Group G, are part of a classification system that denotes which types of gases, vapors, and dusts the lighting fixture can be safely used with.

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• Group A: Acetylene
• Group B: Hydrogen, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, acrolein
• Group C: Ethylene, carbon monoxide
• Group D: Propane, gasoline, naphtha, benzene, butane, ethyl alcohol, acetone, methane
• Group E: Metal dust including aluminum, magnesium
• Group F: Carbonaceous dust including coal, carbon black, coke
• Group G: Grain, flour, wood, plastic, and chemical dust

Understanding these letter groupings is essential for ensuring the safe operation of lighting fixtures in hazardous environments. Always consult with an expert or refer to the specific guidelines and standards, such as those provided by organizations like the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) or Underwriters Laboratories (UL), when selecting explosion-proof lighting.

Explosion Proof Lighting Standards

Standards are typically set by organizations such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the United States, or the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) in Europe, and others depending on the region. Other organizations that set explosion proof lighting standards include,

• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA): NEMA is a U.S.-based organization that sets standards for various types of electrical equipment, including explosion-proof lighting.
• Underwriters Laboratories (UL): UL is a global safety certification company that sets standards and provides testing for a wide range of products, including explosion-proof lighting. In the U.S., UL Standard 844 covers luminaires for use in hazardous locations.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): The IEC is an international standards organization that prepares and publishes standards for electrical, electronic, and related technologies. Their standards, including the IECEx system, cover explosion-proof equipment.
• ATEX Directive (European Union): The ATEX Directive sets forth requirements for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in the European Union.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): The NFPA publishes the National Electrical Code (NEC), which includes guidelines for installing electrical equipment in hazardous locations in the U.S.
• Canadian Standards Association (CSA): In Canada, the CSA sets the standards for explosion-proof lighting.

Each of these organizations has their own set of regulations, codes, and certifications for explosion-proof lighting to ensure safety in hazardous environments. Depending on the specific location and application, different standards may apply.

Guest post from Colin O&#;Connor, Safety and Emergency Operations Manager, Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL)

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Colin O'Connor

In anticipation of upcoming Independence Day celebrations, we at TSL would like to share our top 10 tips for safely handling fireworks this holiday.

TSL is responsible for testing and evaluating technologies that detect and mitigate the threat of explosives and other weapons that may be used against our nation&#;s transportation systems and infrastructure. For almost 30 years, TSL has remained focused on this enduring mission and we pride ourselves on serving as the preeminent organization for assisting the vast homeland security enterprise in identifying, developing, validating, and deploying threat detection technologies. All of this to say, through decades of working with explosives, our team members are truly experts when it comes to things that go &#;boom.&#; A special thanks to George Simoni for collaborating to create the following list to help keep you and your family safe while handling fireworks:

1. Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water/hose nearby in case of accidents.
2. Designate a safety perimeter. If you have ground-based fireworks like a fountain, spectating from at least 35 feet away is best. For aerial fireworks, you&#;ll want everyone to move back to a distance of around 150 feet.
3. Ditch faulty fireworks. Sometimes fireworks don&#;t go off, but duds always pose a risk. The important thing to know is that you should never try to relight or approach a failed firework. Let duds sit for 5 -10 minutes before you put them in a bucket of water. This can prevent injury from a delayed explosion and disarm the firework permanently so you can safely dispose of it.
4. Supervise children when they are handling sparklers. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit&#;hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet or touching body parts.
5. Don&#;t forget about your pets! Fireworks can be extremely stressful for pets, but there are ways to help reduce their fear and anxiety. Keep your pets indoors. Close the curtains or blinds and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction. Treat toys filled with their favorite food (frozen pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and apple sauce are good options) may also help keep their minds busy and distract them from the fireworks.
6. Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
7. Never place a part of your body directly over a firework or hold a firework in your hand when lighting. To safely light fireworks, make sure they are secured on the ground away from people and animals and use a stem lighter such as a grill lighter.
8. Only light one firework at a time. Lighting multiple fireworks at the same time increases the risk of accidents occurring from the fuse burning faster than designed.
9. Avoid alcohol consumption when handling or using fireworks. This should be pretty self-explanatory.
10. Consider safe alternatives to fireworks such as party poppers, bubbles, silly string, or glow sticks.  

In addition to these tips, follow all manufacturer&#;s guidelines for consumer safety and be sure to consult your state and local laws as private firework usage may be restricted in your area.

Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July!

TSL is a part of S&T&#;s Office of National Laboratories in the Office of Innovation and Collaboration. To learn more about the lab&#;s mission and recent work, visit our TSL page.

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