In hazardous oil and gas environments, lighting isn’t just about visibility – it’s a matter of life and death. Whether installed on offshore platforms, LNG terminals, or inside gas processing units or chemical processing plants, the wrong lighting solution can trigger catastrophic events.
As operations managers weigh up their lighting options, one question is becoming more critical: Should we stick with traditional explosion proof fixtures, or switch to IECEx-certified LED strip lighting like SafeGlo?
This blog explores the key safety differences between the two, and why EX rated LED strip lighting is fast becoming the gold standard for hazardous zone illumination in hazardous zones.
The Basics: What Is Hazardous Location Lighting?
Hazardous location lighting is designed specifically for environments where flammable gases, vapours, or dust may be present, as well as hazardous atmospheres containing flammable vapors. These include IECEx Zone 1/21 and 2/22 areas, common in the oil, gas, petrochemical, granaries and mining sectors.
Lighting in these zones must:
- Prevent ignition of explosive substances
- Withstand extreme conditions (heat, corrosion, vibration)
- Deliver reliable, consistent illumination
Traditional explosion proof lighting have long been used for this purpose. But with advancements in LED technology, flexible explosion proof LED strip lighting is rapidly transforming site safety and efficiency.
Understanding the Risk in Hazardous Areas
Hazardous locations – such as those in refineries, gas plants, and storage tanks – require electrical equipment that is:
- Capable of withstanding impacts, dust and gas ingress
- Fully compliant with IECEx, ATEX or equivalent international standards
- Installed and maintained with proper installation practices to ensure safety and compliance.
The consequences of using non-compliant or outdated lighting include safety violations, increased risk of incidents, and other potential risks to personnel and equipment, as well as unplanned downtime.
Traditional Fixtures vs LED Strip Lighting: Safety Comparison
| Feature | Traditional EX Fixtures | SafeGlo LED Strip Lighting |
|---|---|---|
| Explosion Proof Certification | Yes | Yes (IECEx Zones 1/21 and 2/22) |
| Heat Emission | Higher, risk of surface ignition | Low, minimal heat output |
| Glare and Shadow Control | Poor (creates shadows and glare) | Excellent (uniform, glare-free light) |
| Vibration Resistance | Limited in mobile/offshore use | Highly resistant |
| Deployment Time | Requires skilled labour, takes hours | Installs in minutes |
| Flexibility | Rigid and bulky | Flexible, low-profile silicone design |
| Portability | Fixed installations only | Yes – Reusable
Can be used for temporary & maintenance lighting |
| Lifespan | 10 – 50,000 hours
High Maintenance – individual fixture inspection |
Up to 50,000 hours,
Very Low maintenance – Single 30m strip to inspect |
| Light Quality | Variable, may cause colour distortion & dark spots | High, superior brightness and colour accuracy (6500k) |
Certifications and Compliance Matter
SafeGlo explosion proof strip lighting is fully IECEx-certified, designed specifically for Australia’s oil and gas EX Zones. These certifications are critical for:
- Meeting site safety audits
- Avoiding regulatory fines
- Preventing ignition of explosive materials
- Ensuring insurer compliance
- Meeting rigorous safety standards and technical specifications required for hazardous environments.
Traditional fixtures may also be certified, but SafeGlo’s flexible, low-heat, portable design makes it not just compliant – but practical.
The Consequences of Inadequate Lighting in Hazardous Environments
In hazardous environments, inadequate lighting exponentially increases safety risks, making it difficult for workers to identify hazards or respond quickly in emergencies. In oil and gas facilities, chemical manufacturing plants, and other hazardous locations where flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dust are present, poor lighting can directly contribute to catastrophic incidents such as explosions or fires. These events not only endanger personnel but can also result in severe equipment damage, costly unplanned shutdowns, and long-term operational disruptions.
Moreover, inadequate lighting in hazardous areas often leads to safety incidents, injuries, and even fatalities, as workers may misjudge distances, overlook obstacles, or fail to notice warning signs. Advanced LED explosion proof lighting, like SafeGlo, is engineered to address these challenges by providing safe, reliable illumination that minimises the risk of ignition whilst providing consistaent “daylight” lighting in the most demanding conditions. For industries operating in hazardous environments, investing in the right lighting solution is not just about compliance – it’s about protecting lives, assets, and the integrity of operations.
Real-World Safety Benefits of LED Strip Lighting
Explosion proof LED strip lighting plays a crucial role in ensuring safety in hazardous environments.
- Prevents Ignition
SafeGlo’s low surface temperature and fully sealed silicon extrusion around the strip, reduces ignition risks. - Improves Visibility
Uniform, shadow-free light improves safety during inspections, confined space entries, or emergency repairs. - Reduces Trip Hazards
Providing an even spread of glare free, shadowless light means less chance for workers to trip or fall. - Operates in Extreme Conditions
With ratings suitable for -20°C to 80°C, SafeGlo can perform in the harsh Australian heat, handle 100% offshore humidity, or dusty inland terminals. - Enhances Emergency Preparedness
Seamlessly connecting to the MineGlow portable explosion proof power supply and UPS unit, SafeGlo ensures rapid deployment for maintenance jobs or temporary emergency lighting.
Hazardous Location Lighting Applications: Where the Right Choice Matters Most
Hazardous location lighting applications span a wide range of industrial settings, each with unique challenges and requirements. From oil rigs exposed to harsh offshore conditions to chemical plants handling volatile substances, granaries with combustible dust potential to distilleries, the need for specialised explosion proof lighting solutions is paramount. These environments often face extreme temperatures, the presence of flammable gases, and the risk of combustible dust, all of which demand lighting systems that not only deliver enhanced safety, but operational efficiency by reducing unnecessary downtime.
LED strip lighting has emerged as a leading choice for hazardous location lighting due to their superior energy efficiency, longer lifespan, less lighting equipment required. Requires a single LED strip and power supply per 20/30m vs. 8-10 traditional explosion proof linear lighting fixtures and multiple power supplies.
In applications such as confined spaces, walkways, processing areas and escapeway lighting, the SafeGlo lighting solutions provide consistent, high-quality illumination while reducing installation, maintenance costs and downtime.
SafeGlo explosion proof lighting will reduce your installation costs and time by up to 80-90% and ongoing maintenance by up to 47%
Energy Efficiency and Long-Term Cost Reduction
Traditional lighting fixtures draw more power, generate more heat, and fail faster. In contrast:
- Explosion proof LED strip lighting cuts energy consumption by up to 60%, delivering substantial energy savings over the life of the system.
- Longer life reduces downtime from replacements
- Reusability offers high ROI across multiple maintenance and upgrade projects
Even the upfront cost is less, thus lowering the total cost of ownership by at least 20%.
Built for Hazardous Environments
SafeGlo’s materials – such as chemically resistant silicone and corrosion-proof components – are engineered for harsh environments and ensure durability against:
- Acid gases and petrochemicals
- Saltwater and marine air
- Shock and vibration
Add to that a high CRI rating for colour accuracy, and SafeGlo offers the ideal blend of safety, reliability, and visual clarity making it the most advanced explosion proof lighting fixture for use in various hazardous environments.
Future-Proofing Your Site Safety Strategy
Lighting technology is evolving. As the oil and gas industry embraces smarter, more flexible infrastructure, explosion proof LED Strip lighting is becoming integral to safety, environmental compliance, and improving productivity by providng ‘daylight’ lighting conditions anywhere.
SafeGlo is designed to support future integrations like:
- Visual Alerting
- IoT-based monitoring
- Automated emergency response
- Portable power distribution systems
- Remote-controlled lighting zones
Traditional fixtures simply cannot keep pace with these advancements.
Conclusion: Why Make the Switch?
If you’re still relying on rigid explosion proof lighting fixtures, you’re likely compromising safety, speed, and operational cost.
LED explosion proof strip lighting, like SafeGlo, delivers:
- Certified IECEx compliance
- Fast, glare-free deployment
- High resistance to vibration, heat, and corrosion
- Lower energy usage and maintenance costs
- Full portability across shutdowns and sites
In hazardous environments where safety cannot be compromised – especially in specific hazardous environments such as oil and gas facilities – upgrading your lighting isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity for such environments.
Speak With a MineGlow Specialist
Explore how SafeGlo can reduce your safety risk profile, streamline lighting logistics, and ensure compliance for your next oil and gas maintenance project.
MineGlow supports operators across Australia with fast delivery, full certification, and real-world experience in hazardous area lighting.
