Do you sometimes work in conditions with gasoline fumes or other flammable vapors? Maybe your facility has places with combustible dust. If you work near sources of fires or explosions, you should have high-quality intrinsically safe lights. But what separates this lighting from standard lighting? Let’s take a closer look to see.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Standard Lighting
If you use standard work lights in hazardous areas, you are asking for trouble. It only takes a small spark to set off volatile materials. For example, if you drop a standard flashlight or work light on a cement or steel floor, there’s a good chance it will generate a spark inside the light. However, some lights also present static electricity dangers. If you’ve ever got shocked by static electricity, you may have seen a spark jump from your hand to a doorknob. This could start a fire or explosion under the right circumstances.
Standard lights can get very hot, and when they accidentally come into contact with flammable materials, it’s enough to cause a fire. Intrinsically safe lights (also called explosion-proof lighting) are the safe choice. They’re specially designed and manufactured to give you safe and effective lighting.
Explosion Proof Design
Explosion-proof lights keep sparks inside the lighting unit. They have thick casings made from hard and durable materials that won’t present a safety hazard in dangerous areas.
Lighting Types
Some people think that LED lights are best when you want intrinsically safe lights, but this is not always the case. The most important issue is safety, and you can find high-quality fluorescent and incandescent lights that meet all the standards and specifications. These lights are not only affordable; they work well in all kinds of conditions.
If you’re not sure which lights are best for you, talk to lighting experts who sell mostly lighting products for on the job and emergency situations.
