In industrial and ATEX lighting projects, choosing the right luminaire is only one part of the process. It is also necessary to analyse the installation, identify risks, assess potential savings and define a solution adapted to the actual conditions of the plant. That is why Airfal is expanding its offering with a new range of technical services to support customers before, during and after the project:
• Technical inventory of the lighting infrastructure
• Product customisation and certification management
• Lighting studies
• ATEX consultancy: advice and support for technical queries
• Energy efficiency study
• ATEX zoning study and Explosion Protection Document (EPD)
• Carbon footprint calculation
• ATEX industrial digitalisation and IIoT consultancy
• Energy Savings Certificates and CAE calculation
• ATEX training
The aim is to provide more comprehensive support, reduce project complexity and ensure that every decision is backed by technical, economic and operational criteria.
A more comprehensive approach to every lighting project
Airfal’s new range of services is based on a broader vision. Rather than focusing solely on the supply of equipment, the installation is analysed, the solution is defined, potential savings are assessed and support is provided throughout its implementation.
This is a natural evolution for a company with more than 40 years of experience in industrial lighting and a presence in over 65 countries: moving from manufacturing luminaires to taking part in the complete project, from the initial assessment through to installation, training and after-sales support, as we will see below.
Before taking action: understanding the installation and its risks
ATEX consultancy, zoning and Explosion Protection Document (EPD): starting with the actual risk
In an installation with potentially explosive atmospheres, a project should not begin by selecting luminaires. The first step is to understand the substances present, the classification of the zones, the operating conditions and the applicable technical requirements.
ATEX consultancy helps resolve questions regarding equipment, protection methods, marking and suitability for each area. When required by the project, this work is complemented by an ATEX zoning study and the associated technical documentation, including the Explosion Protection Document (EPD).
This stage helps prevent one of the most common mistakes in industrial plants: selecting equipment based on its general performance without checking whether its certification and characteristics are suitable for the specific zone in which it will be installed.
Energy efficiency, carbon footprint and IIoT digitalisation
Understanding risk is essential, but so is understanding how the installation operates. The new range of services includes an energy efficiency study, which analyses consumption, operating hours and opportunities for improvement in order to define a technically justified refurbishment without oversizing the project.
The carbon footprint calculation extends this analysis by identifying emissions, interpreting data and defining reduction measures. In this way, improvements to the lighting installation can be integrated into the company’s environmental objectives.
Industrial IIoT digitalisation consultancy adds another layer: sensors, wireless monitoring, remote control and data analysis. This approach is closely linked to Atenea, a unique solution worldwide that uses ATEX luminaires as technological infrastructure for wireless monitoring.
From diagnosis to solution: designing without oversizing
Technical inventory: knowing what is there before deciding what to replace
An installation cannot be optimised if it is not properly documented. The technical inventory records the lighting points, their location, condition, technology, power and main characteristics. It also makes it possible to update plans and identify obsolete equipment, poorly lit areas or elements that are particularly difficult to maintain.
This work provides an objective basis for deciding what should be retained, what should be replaced and where investment should be focused.
Lighting studies: better lighting, not more lighting
A lighting study is not intended to install as many luminaires as possible. Its purpose is to determine how many are actually needed, where they should be installed, and what power, optics and light distribution are required for each area.
To do this, factors such as mounting height, the activity carried out, uniformity, lighting levels and the actual environmental conditions are taken into account: dust, humidity, corrosion, vibration, extreme temperatures or cleaning requirements.
The result is a solution that avoids both insufficient lighting and oversizing, improving visual safety while reducing energy consumption.
Product customisation and certification management
In some projects, a standard product is not enough. It may be necessary to adapt mounting systems, connections, materials, optics, formats or electrical characteristics.
Airfal provides support throughout these modifications and the product customisation process, including technical assistance, documentation and certification management. This is particularly important in ATEX environments, where any modification must be carefully assessed to ensure that the equipment remains compliant.
After the project: certifying savings and strengthening knowledge
Energy Savings Certificates: turning efficiency into support for investment
Once the improvement has been implemented, the calculation of Energy Savings Certificates (CAEs) makes it possible to quantify and document the energy savings achieved. This mechanism can help finance part of the project and improve its return on investment, provided that the project meets the technical and documentary requirements of the scheme.
In addition, the MITECO IND050 factsheet, applicable to the replacement of lighting systems with LED light sources or luminaires in industrial buildings, requires the implementation of a system for recording energy consumption and operating hours. Therefore, simply replacing the luminaires is not enough: the project must include monitoring in order to record how the installation operates and support the calculation of the energy savings achieved.
In ATEX areas, this requirement has a specific solution in Atenea, the only IIoT lighting control platform with ATEX and IECEx certification. The solution combines wireless monitoring and control through the luminaires, making it possible to collect data, manage lighting points and optimise energy consumption without installing additional cabling.
ATEX training: transferring knowledge to those who operate the installation
A safe installation does not depend solely on the equipment. Maintenance, engineering and operations managers must understand the marking, limitations of use and the precautions required during any intervention.
ATEX training completes the project by transferring this knowledge to the people who will manage the installation throughout its service life.
A new range of services to reduce costs, risks and complexity
The new range of services is based on a simple principle: good industrial lighting starts long before the first luminaire is installed and continues after commissioning.
Airfal brings together initial consultancy, technical inventory, energy analysis, lighting studies, ATEX zoning, equipment selection, customisation, certification management and technical support within a single project. A more comprehensive approach to ATEX lighting designed to maximise profitability, protect operations and transform the way industrial plants are managed.
Are you considering renovating or improving the lighting in an industrial or ATEX installation?
Contact our team and we will assess your current situation, the real needs of your plant and the potential savings offered by the project.
IVÁN CID – Head of Engineering and Innovation
