Working in a warehouse environment can be dangerous, given that workers operate in an enclosed environment with limited ventilation. The risk is even higher if the business deals with combustible substances. As an entrepreneur, you are responsible for ensuring your employees have everything they need to work safely in such environments.

The Essential Factors To Consider When Selecting Explosion-Proof Lighting

One crucial aspect to consider when attempting to make your warehouse safer is the choice of lighting. In environments with explosive materials or gases, explosion-proof lighting becomes a necessity. However, the selection process should not be taken lightly. Let us share the essential factors to consider to help you choose the most suitable lighting fixtures.

Learn More: Everything You Need to Know About Explosion Proof Lighting

Factor #1: Energy-saving

At the end of the day, businesses are beholden to their bottom line, which means staying in the black. One way to achieve this is to reduce costs, and when it comes to operating a warehouse, your energy expenses can significantly impact your bottom line. Fortunately, your hazardous lighting system need not be an energy drain when you opt for explosion-proof LED lighting!

Unlike incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, the energy that LED lights consume is primarily devoted to their intended purpose – lighting, not heating. As a result, LED lights are the most energy efficient lighting technology available on the market, providing more lumen (quantities of visible light) per watt and lasting longer (up to 50,000 hours). That means less power is required to supply light to your warehouse, and you do not have to replace the light fixtures as often, translating to higher savings.

Factor #2: Visibility

Have you worked in an environment with inadequate lighting levels? It is not just counterproductive; it can also cause eye strains and headaches and affect concentration, leading to frequent mistakes. In a warehouse setting, errors are one of the last things you want, as they can lead to accidents, affecting the safety of everyone on the premises. 

We recommend investing in explosion-proof light fittings that provide consistent and appropriate illumination levels throughout your workspace to combat this issue. When optimal lighting levels pair with good uniformity and low glare, your workers can enjoy better visibility and safety, thus empowering them to operate more efficiently. Consulting a lighting professional who can perform a photometric analysis of your warehouse can help you make a more informed decision on the lighting system.

Factor #3: Safety

Of course, warehouses dealing with combustible materials or gases require explosion-proof light fittings to contain potential sparks or overheating to ensure the safety of the workforce. With that said, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to explosion-proof lighting, as each fixture is designed with a specific hazardous zone classification in mind.

In addition to ensuring your explosion-proof lighting systems adhere to the stringent requirements of industry-specific safety standards and certifications, the light fixtures must match the specific hazardous classification of your work environment.

Zone 0 areas are the most critical, followed by Zone 1 and Zone 2, respectively. As a result, Zone 0 has the highest specification requirements. Meanwhile, Zone 1 has more stringent criteria than Zone 2. Understanding this information will help guide you in choosing explosion-proof lighting that meets the necessary safety standards of your warehouse.

Selecting the appropriate explosion-proof lighting for your warehouse is a critical decision that directly impacts your business. As such, you should never make a hasty choice. Instead, consider all information, including what we shared, to ensure you select the correct lighting system for the job. Remember, this is an investment in the well-being of your workforce and the success of your operations.

Fortunately, you do not have to search far for quality explosion-proof light fittings. With over 40 years in the industry, Supermec is the ideal choice for all your explosion-proof lighting needs. We carry an extensive selection of explosion-proof LED lights, including explosion-proof LED high bay lighting and LED flood lights. Visit our website to view our comprehensive catalogue today.