Industrial lighting is essential for any plant, warehouse, or production environment. However, not all industrial areas share the same safety requirements. When working in zones with a risk of explosion – such as chemical, pharmaceutical, oil & gas, or food industries the requirements change radically.
In this article, we explain the most differences between conventional industrial installation and lighting installation for potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX). Because not everything that looks robust is designed for critical environments.
What do we mean by industrial lighting?
Industrial lighting refers to lighting systems designed for environments such as factories, warehouses, workshops, tunnels, logistics areas, or technical rooms. Its purpose is to ensure adequate visibility, energy efficiency, and durability under demanding conditions: high temperatures, humidity, dust, impacts, or long operating cycles.
These luminaires typically are:
- Waterproof (IP65 or higher)
- Impact – resistant (IK08 or IK10)
- Eqquiped with LED technology to maximize energy savings
- Designed to facilitate maintenance
They may also include presence sensors, automatic dimming, or be part of centralized management systems – especially in environments focused on energy efficiency and digitalization.
What is lighting for explosive atmospheres?
ATEX zones are environments where flammable gases, vapors, dusts, or mists may be present in sufficient concentration to form and explosive mixture with air.
In these environments, lighting must strictly comply with European ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU, which requires specific design, manufacturing, and certification processes to ensure that the luminaire itself does not become an ignition source.
Some key technical characteristics include:
- Protection by enclosure or by components. Within enclosure protection, we find explosion proof or restricted – breathing systems; within component – based protection, increased safety, encapsulation, etc.
- Controlled head disipation.
- Absence of external hot surfaces.
- Certification by a Notified Body, with CE marking and certificate number.
- Selection of special materials resistant to corrosion and aggresive chemical environments.
Main differences between industrial and ATEX lighting
Although they may appear similar at first glanze – both robust, LED-based, and sealed – the differences between a conventional industrial luminaire and an ATEX luminaire are significant:
Designed and construction
- Industrial: may have high IP or IK ratings but requires no specific certification beyond standard CE marking.
- ATEX: requires CE marking in accordance with Directive 2014/34/EU, including identification of the protection type, group, category and zone. Additionally, for equipment intended for Zone 1 and/or Zone 21, ATEX certification is mandatory. A Quality Assurance Notification (QAN) under EN 80034-79 is also required, involving very strict annual audits.
Installation location
- Industrial: non – explosive – risk areas, although environmental conditions may be demanding.
- ATEX: classified zones such as Zone 0, 1, 2 (gases) or Zone 20, 21, 22 (dusts), where explosive atmospheres may be present.
Cost and maintenance
- Industrial: lower cost and more flexible maintenance.
- ATEX: higher initial investment, with mandatory periodic technical inspections, and certified spare parts.
What happens if a conventional industrial luminaire is installed in an ATEX Zone?
It is neither legal nor safe. Using a non – certified luminaire in an explosive – risk environment can lead to:
- Regulatory non – compliance (risk of fines and operational shutdowns)
- Real danger of explosion of fire
- Economic, reputational, and human losses, as well as civil and criminal liability
That is why a prior technical study defining the ATEX zoning and the appropiate luminaire for each area is essential.
What should be considered when designing lighting for ATEX Zones?
- Area classification (Zone 0, 1, 2, etc)
- Nature of the explosive material (gas, vapor, or dust)
- Ambient temperature and required protection type (Ex d, Ex e, Ex i, etc)
- Safe accessibility for maintenance
- Integration with safety systems or centralized control
Working with specialized manufacturers and proper technical consultancy is key to ensuring a safe and efficient installation.
Not everything that looks industrial is suitable for ATEX Zones.
Although some industrial luminaires may appear suitable from aesthetic or construction standpoint, the technical and regulatory reality is very different. In explosive atmospheres, there is no margin for error, and lighting must be a part of the safety strategy – not just an auxiliary element.
If you have doubts about which luminaire your plant requires, the first step is to analyze the ATEX certification of the environment and work with dedicated solutions. Because good industrial lighting delivers efficiency. But good ATEX lighting… saves lives.
CARLOS JIMÉNEZ – ATEX Engineering
