Lighting in oil and gas environments isn’t just about visibility – it’s a critical factor in safety compliance, operational uptime, and incident prevention. Hazardous atmospheres are a key concern in oil and gas facilities, requiring lighting solutions that address the risks of explosive or combustible environments. As hazardous zones demand increasingly reliable and regulation-ready solutions, LED strip lighting, particularly IECEx-certified systems like MineGlow’s SafeGlo, has emerged as the industry standard. Selecting the proper explosion proof lighting helps ensure safety in hazardous areas.
This guide will help you select the right LED strip lighting for your facility, focusing on compliance, durability, and safety in hazardous areas. Explosion proof lighting is a critical solution for these environments, providing protection against ignition sources. The National Electrical Code offers essential guidelines for lighting choices in hazardous locations to ensure regulatory compliance and safety.
Introduction to LED Strip Lighting
LED strip lighting is fast becoming a go-to lighting solution for the oil and gas industry, thanks to its versatility, energy efficiency, and ability to meet the demanding requirements of hazardous environments. Unlike traditional explosion proof lighting systems, LED strip lights are designed to deliver consistent, reliable illumination in processing plants, chemical plants, and other areas where explosive atmospheres may be present. These strip lights are available in a variety of colour temperatures – including warm white, cool white, and also RGB colours – allowing facilities to tailor their lighting systems to specific operational needs and preferences.
One of the key advantages of LED strip lighting is its energy efficiency, which not only helps reduce energy consumption but also lowers maintenance costs over time. The long lifespan of LED strip lights (50,000hours+) means fewer replacements and less downtime, minimizing downtime & safety risks associated with frequent maintenance in hazardous areas. Additionally, LED strip lights can be customized in length and brightness, ensuring that every corner of a facility receives the right amount of light for safe and efficient operations. Whether you need to illuminate tight spaces, walkways, or large processing areas, LED strip lighting offers a flexible and reliable solution that supports both safety and productivity in the oil and gas sector.
Why LED Strip Lighting Is Ideal for Oil & Gas Facilities
Oil and gas operations involve exposure to explosive atmospheres, combustible dusts, and extreme temperature fluctuations. These environments also present hazards from flammable gases and flammable gasses, making it critical to select lighting that can safely operate in such conditions. Addressing combustible dust hazards requires fixtures that are sealed against dust ingress to prevent ignition. Lighting in these environments must be:
- Explosion proof
- Energy efficient
- Long-lasting
- Dust proof
- Heavy duty
- Compliant with global standards
LED strip lighting offers a powerful alternative to bulky, traditional fixtures. Products like SafeGlo’s explosion proof lighting range deliver certified, glare-free lighting that is fully portable, reusable, and built for Australia’s toughest operational conditions. LED strip lighting is designed to meet diverse lighting needs in oil and gas facilities, ensuring safety and compliance across various applications.
Understand Hazardous Area Classifications First
Before selecting any lighting system, it’s essential to identify the classification of your work zones:
- Zone 0: Continuous presence of explosive gas
- Zone 1: Likely presence during normal operations
- Zone 2: Unlikely presence or only during abnormal operations
In addition to these zones, hazardous area classifications also include Class II and Class III. Class II refers to locations where combustible dust may be present and can ignite, such as grain processing facilities and coal mines, requiring dust-tight and sealed lighting solutions. Class III covers areas where ignitable fibers or filings, like those found in textile mills, woodworking plants, or cotton gins, are present, necessitating specialised lighting to prevent ignition.
These classifications determine the minimum equipment standards required. SafeGlo is IECEx certified for Zones 1/21 and 2/22, making it suitable for oil refineries, LNG terminals, and offshore rigs.
Explosion Proof Requirements: What to Look For
Explosion proof LED strip lights are engineered for constant exposure to hazardous substances such as flammable gases, vapours, or dusts, ensuring safe operation in Zone 1 areas.
Explosion proof LED strip lights must be:
- Explosion proof lights sealed to contain any sparks or heat, preventing ignition of hazardous substances
- Constructed from non-reactive materials like silicone and stainless steel
- Designed for extreme temperatures and corrosive environments
With SafeGlo, you’re investing in a system that can handle high heat, salt exposure, vibrations, and frequent redeployments – all while maintaining its integrity, safety compliance, and suitability for environments with hazardous substances.
Certifications That Matter
Key certifications are essential for explosion proof LED strip lighting in hazardous locations. The most important certifications for LED strip lighting in hazardous locations include:
- IECEx – International certification for explosive atmospheres
- ATEX – European equivalent (also accepted in many APAC countries)
- UL / Class I, II, Div 1 – North American explosion proof standards
- IP66/IP67 Ratings – Protection against dust, water, and chemical ingress
SafeGlo meets or exceeds all these benchmarks and includes higher ambient temperature ratings than many competing systems, making it ideal for Australia. Meeting strict safety standards and complying with safety regulations is crucial to ensure compliance and prevent safety incidents in hazardous environments.
Lighting for Extreme Temperatures
Oil and gas sites are often exposed to:
- Sub-zero temperatures in winter shutdowns
- High ambient heat from processing units or geographic location
- Salt spray and high humidity in offshore or coastal operations
SafeGlo LED strips are tested and rated to operate from -20°C to +80°C, with built-in thermal regulation to ensure light performance without degradation.
Colour Temperature and Brightness: Safety First
When selecting LED strip lighting, consider:
- Color temperature: The color temperature of LED lighting, such as warm white or daylight white, affects the ambiance and clarity. Cooler colour temperatures improve visibility in industrial settings.
- Brightness: Too dim can hinder work; too bright causes glare and shadows
- CRI (Colour Rendering Index): A CRI of 80+ is ideal for detail work and inspections
SafeGlo provides uniform, glare-free lighting, significantly reducing eye strain and enhancing visibility in tunnels, scaffolding, and confined spaces.
Match Lighting to Application Areas
One-size-fits-all doesn’t work in hazardous zones. Selecting the appropriate lighting fixtures for each application area is crucial to ensure compliance with safety standards and optimal performance. Here’s how to align lighting choices with specific applications:
| Facility Area | Recommended SafeGlo Use |
|---|---|
| Pipeline corridors & stairs | Mounted along handrails for visual guidance |
| Scaffolding & access zones | Wrapped around vertical supports for task lighting |
| Tank interiors | Cut-to-length strips for confined entry work |
| Emergency exit paths | High-visibility strips powered by an EX-rated backup supply |
Application-based selection ensures optimal safety and efficiency across the entire facility.
Built-in Safety Features Matter
Explosion proof LED strip lighting should incorporate features aimed at ensuring safety and helping to prevent accidents in hazardous environments, such as:
- Emergency shutoff systems
- Surge protection
- Thermal management
- Self-monitoring diagnostics
SafeGlo incorporates all the above, with low-voltage power supply integration, preventing any unsafe voltage levels from reaching the light strip. Its design allows for simple maintenance and fault diagnosis, minimising risk and downtime.
Chemical Plant Lighting Considerations
Lighting in chemical processing plants presents unique challenges due to the constant presence of hazardous materials, explosive atmospheres, and harsh operating conditions. LED strip lighting stands out as an ideal choice for these environments, as it is specifically engineered to withstand harsh environments and prevent ignition of flammable substances. When selecting LED strip lights for chemical plants, it is crucial to prioritise products that are certified for use in hazardous locations – especially those with IECEx certification, which confirms compliance with industry standards for safe operation in high-risk areas such as Zone 1.
LED strip lights designed for chemical processing plants should be robust enough to operate safely in the presence of hazardous materials and explosive atmospheres, ensuring continuous illumination without posing a risk of ignition. By choosing the right explosion proof lighting solution, chemical plants can maintain safety, reduce energy consumption, and minimise the risk of accidents. Regular maintenance, such as gently cleaning the LED strip lights with a damp cloth, extends their lifespan and ensures they continue to function efficiently and safely. Ultimately, investing in certified, high-quality LED strip lighting is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant working environment in chemical plants.
Materials, Mounting, and Maintenance
When evaluating strip lighting options:
- Choose systems built with non-corrosive materials
- Ensure flexible mounting options for different surfaces
- Opt for plug-and-play designs to speed up installation and redeployment
SafeGlo ticks all the boxes, offering field-tested durability, including resistance to vibration, moisture, and harsh chemicals – critical for offshore and chemical plant use.
Future-Proofing with Modern LED Technology
LED strip lighting solutions like SafeGlo are compatible with:
- Remote power control systems
- Smart monitoring (IoT integration)
- Rapid redeployment across multiple sites
Modern LED strip lighting solutions are also increasingly environmentally friendly, featuring sustainable designs and reduced environmental impact through energy-efficient technology.
As regulatory standards evolve and operational demands increase, SafeGlo ensures your facility remains compliant and competitive.
Final Thoughts: Choose Once, Choose Right
Choosing the right LED strip lighting for your oil and gas facility is more than just a procurement decision – it’s a long-term safety strategy.
Look for:
- Certified explosion proof ratings (IECEx/ATEX)
- High durability in extreme conditions & temperatures
- Proper brightness, light output, and colour temperature for your tasks
- Flexibility for installation and redeployment
- Local support and compliance documentation
Selecting the right LED strip lighting can also help your facility save money over time by improving energy efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
SafeGlo explosion proof LED strip lighting, backed by MineGlow, is designed specifically for the oil and gas sector, ensuring your operation remains compliant, safe, and efficient – shift after shift.
Speak with a MineGlow Lighting Specialist
Need help selecting the right SafeGlo solution for your facility? We provide:
- Full compliance documentation
- Local support across Australia
- Site-specific advice and rapid lead times
Let us help you simplify your hazardous area lighting strategy.
