When a plant’s lighting fails, being able to identify an exit or move along a walkway should not depend on daylight entering from outside. In ATEX zones, moreover, any equipment that remains on must be suitable for the expected explosive atmosphere.
For this reason, choosing ATEX emergency luminaires means checking more than whether they switch on: what they will illuminate, for how long and under what conditions.
What must emergency luminaires guarantee in an ATEX installation?
ATEX emergency luminaires must provide the lighting required for evacuation and, where applicable, for hazardous operations to be completed safely, while maintaining the explosion protection required for the zone.
These are two complementary requirements: explosion protection and
mergency performance. ATEX marking does not replace verification of the latter, for which UNE-EN IEC 60598-2-22, dedicated to luminaires for emergency lighting, applies.
How to choose emergency luminaires for ATEX zones
– Check that the ATEX marking matches the installation
Start from the zone classification and the substances present. Check the category, gas or dust protection, substance group and permissible surface temperature. Also check any specific conditions of use.
The documentation must correspond to the complete emergency configuration: it is not enough for the standard version of the model to be ATEX certified.
– Define the luminous flux required during an emergency
The luminous flux in normal operation is not necessarily the same as that available during a power failure. Request the declared emergency luminous flux in emergency mode and the photometric data applicable to that configuration.
Lumens indicate how much light the luminaire emits; the lighting study must verify the lux reaching the route or surface that needs to be illuminated. High power in normal operation does not, by itself, satisfy this requirement
– What emergency duration do emergency luminaires really need?
Emergency duration must be determined by the applicable regulations and the project risks, not only by its ATEX classification. For example, ITC-BT-28 requires at least one hour for evacuation and anti-panic lighting in installations within its scope.
Specify duration and luminous flux together: keeping the luminaire on is of no use if it does not provide the required lighting throughout that period.
– Check the ambient temperature for the emergency configuration
Check the permitted range for the version with battery and emergency gear, not just for the standard luminaire. Confirm the operating and charging conditions declared by the manufacturer.
Consider the actual temperatures at the installation point, including winter conditions or locations close to hot processes. Do not confuse permissible ambient temperature with the maximum surface temperature in the ATEX marking.
– Take mounting height and luminaire distribution into account
Check height, spacing, orientation and obstacles by means of a lighting study in emergency mode. The result must justify the required levels and uniformity, especially along routes, on stairs and at changes of direction.
Do not assume that the general lighting layout is valid without checking the failure scenario.
Integrated emergency luminaires or separate units: which should you choose?
Integrated emergency combines normal and emergency lighting in a single luminaire. Separate units allow dedicated points to be positioned where the evacuation route requires them.
Compare both options in terms of lighting coverage, accessibility and maintenance. In some projects, combining them will make sense.
This decision should not be confused with the power supply: a self-contained luminaire has its own battery, while another may receive power from a central source. Installing a separate unit does not necessarily mean using centralised batteries.
Mistakes to avoid when specifying ATEX emergency luminaires
Avoid comparing proposals solely by power or price, using the normal luminous flux in emergency calculations, or selecting an emergency duration without stating the associated luminous flux.
Nor should a generic kit be added without verifying the conformity of the complete assembly. And an illuminated exit sign does not, by itself, replace the lighting required to travel along the evacuation route.
Maintenance of emergency luminaires in ATEX installations
Checking that a luminaire switches on is not enough to verify its emergency response. Functional and duration tests, equipment
inspection and the recording of results should form part of the maintenance plan, following the manufacturer’s instructions and the applicable requirements.
But between one inspection and the next, an important question arises: how can you know whether a luminaire has stopped working or needs attention without waiting for someone to detect the problem on site?
Atenea, the technological solution from Airfal, unique in the world in its field, uses ATEX luminaires as technological infrastructure for wireless monitoring of the installation. From a centralised dashboard, it allows users to check the status of connected equipment and receive alerts about detected anomalies.
This gives the maintenance team information to identify which point needs attention, review its operating hours and analyse its energy consumption. The aim is to avoid relying solely on on-site
checks to know the status of the lighting and to plan interventions with more information.
The integration of sensors makes it possible to extend monitoring to variables such as temperature, humidity or presence, depending on project needs. The same infrastructure can help provide a better understanding of the installation and detect deviations that require attention
Do you need to specify emergency luminaires for an ATEX installation?
Choosing the right equipment is the first step. Defining how you will monitor and maintain it should also be part of the project.
We assess which equipment and functionalities best fit your plant to facilitate lighting control and maintenance.
Request your free Atenea consultancy
CARLOS JIMÉNEZ – Engineering ATEX
