Hazardous Location Lighting

What is LED Hazardous Location Lighting?

At the simplest level, hazardous lighting is lighting that’s designed to operate safely where flammable gases, vapors, dust, or fibers could be present. The fixture prevents ignition by using sealed and reinforced construction, proper heat management, and explosion-proof design principles that keep sparks and hot surfaces contained. True hazardous location lighting is rated by Class, Division, and Group under NEC Article 500, so you’re not guessing: you’re matching a fixture to the environment it’s being installed in. When the space demands certified protection, you’re looking at hazardous area lights that meet the correct classification and inspection requirements.

What Are the Different Types of LED Hazardous Location Lighting?

Every haz loc job starts the same way: identify the classification, then pick fixtures that actually match it. Some spaces need protection from water, dust, and corrosion. Others require true containment-rated builds because gas or vapor is a constant concern. Here are the main options contractors use most often:

• Vapor Tight Fixtures: IP65/IP67 rated for wet, washdown, dust, and corrosive environments. Great protection, but not the same as explosion proof fixtures.
• Explosion-Proof Lights: Heavy-duty housings designed to contain internal ignition. Required in many Class I Division 1 environments with continuous gas/vapor presence.
• Hazardous Linear Fixtures: Tough linear runs (2ft–8ft) for general illumination in wet or classified areas.
• Hazardous Round or Square Fixtures: Compact units for corridors, stairwells, and tighter installs where coverage still matters.Emergency/Exit Lights: Egress solutions including explosion proof exit light options for hazardous areas where safety signage can’t fail.

Where is LED Hazardous Location Lighting Used?

If the facility has combustible dust, flammable vapor, corrosive washdowns, or high-risk processing areas, lighting has to be built for the environment. hazardous location lighting is commonly used anywhere reliability and compliance matter more than aesthetics, especially in spaces where fixture access isn’t simple once the job is done. Typical applications include:

• Chemical plants and refineries
• Oil and gas facilities (upstream/downstream)
• Paint spray booths
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Food and beverage processing plants
• Grain elevators and feed mills
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Pulp and paper mills
• Aircraft hangars
• Car washes and industrial washdown areas

If the space is classified, the right fixture rating keeps the site safe and the install signed off.

Benefits of LED Hazardous Location Lighting

Built for safety first, with real-world performance that makes contractors’ lives easier.

• Safety Compliance: Meets hazardous location lighting requirements and inspection expectations
• Energy Efficiency: LED tech cuts energy costs 50–70% in many installs
• Long Lifespan: 50,000+ hours reduces lift calls and shutdown replacements
• Durability: Corrosion-resistant housings with impact-ready lenses
• Wet Location Rated: IP65/IP67 protection against water and dust intrusion
• NSF Certified: Options available for food and pharmaceutical environments
• Low Maintenance: Sealed builds keep contaminants out of the fixture
  Instant On: No warm-up time when safety visibility matters most

How Do You Connect LED Hazardous Location Lighting?

Haz loc installs are a different world from standard wet location work. LED Hazardous Location Lighting has to be installed to the correct classification, with the right conduit system, sealing fittings, and inspection requirements under NEC Article 500.

Critical requirements:

• Use threaded rigid metal conduit or IMC with explosion-proof fittings
• Install seal-offs within 18” of enclosure entry (NEC 501.15)
• Confirm rating matches Class, Division, and Group
• Ensure minimum 5 full threads engagement on fittings
• Bond and ground properly using the right bushings and hardware
• Final inspection and approval through fire marshal / AHJ

Installation process:

1. Haz loc-trained licensed electrician only
2. Install explosion-proof junction boxes and conduit first
3. Mount fixture using threaded hubs (not standard boxes)
4. Add sealing fittings to stop gas migration through conduit
5. Terminate wiring inside sealed compartments and verify engagement
6. Complete inspection sign-off before commissioning

Maximum Run of LED Hazardous Location Lighting

These fixtures are individually powered, so there’s no run-length limit. The real factor is circuit capacity and classification requirements.

Circuit capacity guidance:

• 20A circuit at 120V: roughly 35–45 vapor tight fixtures (40W each)
• 20A circuit at 277V: roughly 80–100 vapor tight fixtures (40W each)

Special considerations:

• Explosion proof lighting may require dedicated circuits
• Seal-offs and conduit design reduce usable capacity
• Emergency lighting must meet NFPA 101
• Controls must be rated for the same hazardous classification

For proper planning, follow API RP 500/505 and NFPA 70, and involve certified designers early. Final approvals typically go through the AHJ and fire marshal.

Why Buy LED Hazardous Location Lighting from Duralec?

When you’re quoting a haz loc job, you don’t want “close enough.” You need fixtures that match the classification, install clean, and get approved without a fight. That’s why contractors come to Duralec for LED Hazardous Location Lighting – we help you spec what actually fits the space, whether you’re working in Class I Division 2, full-time gas/vapor risk environments, or dust-heavy operations that fall under Class II lighting.

We also keep the process practical. If you’ve got questions around optics, output, or which build suits the area best, our team can help you narrow it down fast. And because haz loc installs can be time-sensitive, we ship quickly from our Illinois warehouse, which helps when the job schedule shifts and you need fixtures on-site now.

This is also a great fit for IntrinsiX, particularly in projects where consistency matters across the facility. IntrinsiX supports dependable long-term performance, and it’s a strong option when you’re standardizing fixtures across multiple rooms or multiple sites. IntrinsiX also pairs well with Commercial Accounts, where contractors can access preferred pricing and dedicated support for repeat ordering.

If budget is tight, our Clearance section can also be worth checking – contractors often grab deals on industrial favorites while they last. Bottom line: Duralec helps you spec safer installs with fewer delays and fewer surprises.