Class 1 Division 2 Lighting

2020-01-07

Gas stations must use Class 1 Division 2 compliant lighting solutions

Adiding offers many LED lighting that meet Class 1 Division 2 standards. These light fixtures are listed for use in classified Class 1 Division 2 locations where a fire or explosion hazard may exist due to flammable liquids or gases being used or stored there. The construction of these fixtures is governed by the National Electric Code (NEC) article 501 to provide confidence in the safe operation of lighting fixtures in these hazardous classified environments.

What kind of LED lighting should be used in hazardous locations?

Personal and property safety in hazardous locations and explosive environments may not sound like a general concern, but in the United States, there are tens of thousands of hazardous locations, including places we visit or drive daily: retail gas stations，Grain elevators, food processors, wineries, chemical plants, refineries, paint and surface coating applications and storage areas, power generation and waste treatment plants are all considered dangerous to some extent. In environments where electricity services can also be used, the presence of a specific concentration of fuel is the easiest way to explain the dangers that cause a location.

There are many organizations working hard to prevent accidental fires and explosions:

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

As part of this work, NFPA released comprehensive documentation on electrical safety, namely NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code (commonly referred to as NEC). NEC outlines the requirements for the design and equipment of electrical systems located in hazardous / explosive locations.

What is Class 1 Division 2 Lighting?

The category classification defined by NEC refers to the type of fuel present in the environment. Class 1 covers flammable gases and liquids, Class 2 covers flammable dust, and Class 3 covers fibers and debris found in the textile and woodworking industries. on the other hand, Division 1 is the harshest environment, because hazardous environments are always present or frequently occur, or during frequent repairs. For Division 2, hazardous atmospheres are rarely used only in the event of accidental leakage or malfunction of the front mechanical ventilation system. It includes storage,Processing facilities for storing fuel in sealed containers or closed systems. This area may also be located near Division 1, where fuel may sometimes be transported. Based on these definitions, Class 1 Division 2 lighting will meet the safety requirements surrounding flammable gases and liquids in environments where hazardous gases rarely occur.

Which are Class 1 Division 2 lighting?

The NEC-defined category classification refers to the type of fuel present in the environment. Class 1 covers flammable gases and has Class 1 Div protection. The handling of  Class 2 devices varies from device to device. Acceptable equipment includes:

Products listed for Class I Division I

Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL)-listed devices that meet the specific features described by the NEC for Div II installations. For instance, fixtures must be designed to contain arcing and sparking. Also, other construction requirements/tests must be done to determine the maximum operating temperature of every surface of the fixture, inside and out, and then the fixtures must be labeled with the maximum operating temperature or the Temperature Range Code and the maximum ambient temperature (room temperature).

The NEC still allows “closed and sealed” or “vapor tight” fixtures, but regulatory agencies have all but eliminated this in practice.