Why Explosion Proof Lighting Offers Benefits Beyond Safety
Trade and engineering professionals working with an on-site explosion risk will be very familiar with the need for ultra-reliable ATEX, or explosion proof certified lighting. But not everyone realises that the benefits of these high-performance lights will go well beyond meeting safety requirements.
Our overview of explosion-proof lighting is essential for anyone responsible for sourcing or using lighting in high-risk environments such as heavy engineering, offshore facilities, distilleries, and beyond.
But how exactly do these lighting systems work—and what makes them a smart investment for your worksite?
The Essentials of Explosion Proof Lighting
Like every safety topic with the very real potential to be a life-or-death safety issue, the regulations and requirements behind explosion risk and lighting are complex and extremely specific.
As an introduction, the features designed into SA Equip explosion proof lighting for increased safety are straightforward.
- Intrinsically Safe: Purpose-made not to cause a spark or reach a temperature high enough to cause ignition in an explosive atmosphere
- IP Rated: Rated enclosures designed to protect users from any hazardous internal parts, protect the internal equipment from external objects and stop the ingress of water
- Impact/Drop Tested: SA Equip lighting products are subjected to multiple impact tests to check for compliance in explosive atmospheres
- Max Heat Generating ‘T’ Rated: T-rating means the maximum surface temperature created by an SA Equip light can be matched to the temperature threshold for a hazardous area.
In the case of SA Equip portable ATEX lighting, our products are also purpose-built to meet area classification zones 0, 1 and 2 for gas, and zones 20, 21 and 22 for dust risks. This covers a range of expected explosive atmospheres from the chance of a short period of exposure through to frequent, continuous or extended presence of explosion-causing factors.
Ultimately, these installations are a life-saving requirement for many projects and demand the highest standards of manufacturing and engineering in every unit.
The Benefits of Explosion-Proof Lighting
The ultra-high standards of build and reliability found in these lighting units also bring benefits above and beyond explosion risk reduction. Our clients often specify our portable EX lighting for a range of worksites across the globe for several reasons.
- Cost Advantage: Exceptionally high durability and efficiency as standard mean a better choice from a maintenance and operating cost point-of-view.
- Eco-Friendly: Explosion proof LED lights do not contain toxic or harmful substances, such as mercury and lead, that are harmful to the environment.
- Breakage Reduction: SA Equip portable EX lighting can withstand a higher threshold of rough treatment compared to standard lights.
- Lifespan: Our worklight range boasts an average lifespan of 50,000+ hours.
- Drop Tests & Waterproofing: Our solutions are tested and certified to meet the highest industry standards around drop tests & waterproofing, including to IP66 and IP67 Ratings.
SA Equip: Trusted Worldwide Where Performance Counts
We’re much more than just an equipment ‘supplier’. We actively help clients across the globe to safely achieve optimal ventilation, heat, power and lighting results in challenging environments using stand-alone, even bespoke, solutions.
Contact us for help with choosing the right equipment, to request a demonstration or to find out more about our bespoke equipment service.
