What is hazardous lighting

In a typical lighting fixture, the contacts, bulb, wiring and switches are exposed to the atmosphere. The spark from a movement of the switch, and even the heat of the bulb can be enough to create a flammable atmosphere. In a flammable proof lighting fixture, any explosion that may happen is contained inside of the fixture itself. Most people presume that these installations work by having a seal around the bulb as well as any switches so as to not allow flammable specks to become exposed to a spark or heat. This isn’t correct. More correctly, the fixture lets a small amount of air to flow within the fixture, and should be combustible pieces ignite, the fixture is designed in such a way that it will contain the flame inside the fixture housing.

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.

What are Hazardous locations

Hazardous locations are defined as any area where there are high concentrations of combustible particles in the air that may cause an explosion or fire. These flammable materials include, but are not limited to, liquids, dust, gasses and some fibres. Whenever these hazards are present, employees must use specially designed equipment to avoid the chance of igniting any of these materials. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), Hazardous locations are those areas “where fire or explosion hazards may exist due to flammable gases or vapors, flammable liquids, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers or flyings.” Hazardous locations or areas are usually classified by specialists in the field, such as electrical inspectors, engineers, owners, area experts, and insurance companies. They may divide extreme locations into either ordinary (shocks & fires) or hazardous (explosion prone) areas.

In a typical lighting fixture, the contacts, bulb, wiring and switches are exposed to the atmosphere. The spark from a movement of the switch, and even the heat of the bulb can be enough to create a flammable atmosphere. In a flammable proof lighting fixture, any explosion that may happen is contained inside of the fixture itself.

Most people presume that these installations work by having a seal around the bulb as well as any switches so as to not allow flammable specks to become exposed to a spark or heat. This isn’t correct. More correctly, the fixture lets a small amount of air to flow within the fixture, and should be combustible pieces ignite, the fixture is designed in such a way that it will contain the flame inside the fixture housing.

The kind of lights required in a hazardous area is fixed on by the kind of flammable materials that will be in the air where the fixtures are going to be used.

Hubbell Lighting manufactures a large range of explosion proof lighting. Visit our website for more information today or contact us for a quotation!