Hazardous Location Lighting

Hazardous location lighting refers to fixtures specifically designed and certified for use in environments where flammable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or ignitable fibers are present. These fixtures are built to prevent internal sparks or heat from igniting the surrounding atmosphere. Unlike standard commercial LED fixtures, hazardous location fixtures must meet NEC classification requirements and carry appropriate certifications for their intended environment before installation.

Class 1 Division 1 locations are areas where flammable gases or vapors exist in hazardous concentrations under normal operating conditions, such as the interior of a chemical processing vessel or an open spray booth in active use. Class 1 Division 2 locations only encounter hazardous concentrations under abnormal conditions such as equipment failure or accidental release. It is critical to match your fixture's Division rating to your facility's NEC classification. Some hazardous location fixtures are dual-rated for both Division 1 and Division 2 environments, offering greater flexibility for facilities with mixed classifications.

Not all LED lights are explosion proof — only those specifically designed, tested, and certified for hazardous locations qualify. Standard LED fixtures, even high-quality commercial ones, are not safe for use in Class 1 environments. Purpose-built explosion proof LED fixtures feature sealed, reinforced housings engineered to contain any internal ignition and prevent it from reaching the surrounding atmosphere. Always verify the NEC classification rating on the fixture label before installing in a hazardous location.

Paint booths and spray booths are typically classified as Class 1 Division 1 or Division 2 locations depending on their design and ventilation. Fixtures used in these environments must be rated for the appropriate NEC classification and carry wet location ratings to withstand cleaning and overspray. Strip lights are a popular choice for spray booth linear illumination due to their low-profile design and even light distribution. For overhead ambient lighting, hazardous location high bays provide strong lumen output in a compact certified housing. Browse our explosion proof lighting selection to find the right fixture for your booth classification.

Battery backup is not always required, but it is strongly recommended and often code-mandated in hazardous locations where power loss could create unsafe evacuation conditions. Emergency egress lighting must remain operational during a power outage to allow personnel to exit safely. Battery backup variants are available across most of our hazardous location fixture product lines, making it straightforward to meet emergency lighting requirements without installing separate fixtures.

IP66 is an ingress protection rating indicating the fixture is completely dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets from any direction. For hazardous location fixtures, IP66 is particularly important in environments where washdowns, heavy moisture, or chemical exposure are present such as petrochemical plants and outdoor industrial installations. Many hazloc strip lights and vaporproof fixtures carry IP66 ratings in addition to their NEC classification certification, making them suitable for both dry and wet hazardous environments.

Yes, provided the fixture carries a wet location rating in addition to its hazardous location certification. Many explosion proof fixtures in our lineup are wet location rated, making them suitable for outdoor industrial applications such as oil and gas facilities, loading docks, tank farms, and exterior processing areas. Hazardous location floodlights are particularly well-suited for outdoor area lighting, delivering high lumen output with yoke or slipfitter mounting options for pole or structure installation.

PROLIGHTING carries certified hazardous location fixtures from several trusted manufacturers. RAB Lighting offers a comprehensive hazloc lineup including high bays, floodlights, strip lights, and vaporproof fixtures with Class 1 Division 1 and Division 2 ratings. MaxLite and Sylvania also offer certified hazardous location options. If you need help selecting the right brand or fixture for your application, contact our lighting specialists for expert guidance.