What lighting standards apply to hot industrial work environments?

For lighting in hot industrial working environments, multiple standards apply simultaneously. It is not a matter of a single inspection, but rather a combination of requirements in the areas of temperature resistance, degree of protection, and sometimes also explosion safety. Which exact standards apply depends on the environment: a steel mill imposes different requirements than a drying tunnel or a climate chamber. The questions below provide a clear answer for each theme.

Which standards determine whether lighting is suitable for high temperatures?

Whether a luminaire is suitable for use at high temperatures is determined by the maximum ambient temperature specified by the manufacturer, combined with the thermal performance of the components used. The most relevant parameters are the Ta value (maximum ambient temperature), the Tc value (maximum temperature at the cooling point of the LED driver), and the thermal housing class of the enclosure.

In practice, this means that a luminaire must not only function at high ambient temperatures, but must also be able to withstand external heat radiation, such as infrared radiation from molten metal or furnaces. Standard LED luminaires are typically not designed for this. Specially developed high-temperature luminaires use different materials, customized cooling structures, and drivers that can withstand extreme heat loads.

In addition to the technical specifications of the luminaire itself, the installation conditions also play a role: the position of the lamp, the presence of heat sources in the immediate vicinity, and the degree of ventilation. All these factors influence the actual thermal load on the luminaire.

What is the difference between IP rating and IK rating in industrial lighting?

The IP rating (Ingress Protection) indicates how well a luminaire is protected against dust and water. The IK rating indicates how well a luminaire is resistant to mechanical impacts. They are two separate classifications that each measure something different, but both are relevant in industrial environments.

An IP65 luminaire is completely dust-tight and protected against water jets from any direction. The IP66 offers protection against powerful water jets, and the IP67 against temporary submersion. In environments with steam, high-pressure cleaning, or chemical mist, higher IP ratings are required.

The IK class ranges from IK00 to IK10. IK10 represents the highest level of protection: resistant to an impact energy of 20 joules. In environments with moving equipment, vibrations, or a risk of collisions, a high IK class is just as important as a good IP rating. For more information on how these classifications work in practice, visit the page on IP and IK ratings.

Must lighting in steel mills comply with ATEX standards?

Not automatically. ATEX standards are mandatory in areas or zones where an explosive atmosphere can occur due to gases, vapors, or dust. In a steel mill, that is by no means the case everywhere. The presence of extreme heat, sparks, or molten metal does not automatically make an environment subject to ATEX requirements.

Whether ATEX applies depends on the zone classification of the area in question. Zones 0, 1, and 2 apply to explosive gas atmospheres; zones 20, 21, and 22 to explosive dust atmospheres. A steel mill may contain areas where flammable gases or fine metal dust are present, but that varies by location and process.

The operator of the plant is responsible for the zone classification. Based on this classification, it is determined which equipment may be used. Lighting in ATEX zones must be certified for the relevant zone and category. In steel mills where no explosive atmosphere is present, other requirements, such as high temperature resistance and protection against infrared radiation, are much more relevant.

What can the maximum ambient temperature be for standard LED fixtures?

Most standard LED fixtures are designed for a maximum ambient temperature of +40°C to +50°C. Above that, the lifespan of the LED chip and the driver decreases rapidly, and at even higher temperatures, the fixture may fail or pose a safety hazard.

In industrial environments such as steel mills, foundries, drying plants or glass furnaces, ambient temperatures of +80°C to +120°C are no exception. Standard luminaires are simply not suitable for this. Luminaires specially developed for High-temperature lighting use custom thermal designs and components that can withstand these conditions.

An additional point of attention is infrared radiation. In environments with molten metal or hot surfaces, the luminaire is also heated from the outside by radiant heat, independent of the ambient air. This is a factor that is rarely included in the specifications of standard luminaires, but in practice has a major impact on lifespan.

What certifications should a supplier be able to demonstrate for high-temperature lighting?

A reliable supplier of lighting for high-temperature environments must be able to present multiple certifications. This is not only about product certificates, but also about quality and safety certification of the organization itself.

CE Marking mandatory for all electrical equipment on the European market and proves conformity with the applicable directives.
IP certificate: Verifiably tested and certified for the specified degree of protection.
IK certificate: proven impact resistance in accordance with the specified class.
ATEX certification mandatory when luminaires are used in explosive areas, including indication of zone and category.
ISO 9001: supplier's quality management system, demonstrating that products are consistently produced and controlled.
VCA: safety certification for companies operating at industrial sites, relevant when the supplier also performs installation work.

Preferably, also request test reports from independent laboratories. Manufacturers that test and certify their products themselves without external verification offer less assurance than suppliers that work with accredited testing institutes.

Real-world example: High-Temperature Industry – Rockwool

The Rockwool project is a good example of what is involved in lighting an environment with extreme heat. Rockwool produces insulation material based on stone wool, a process in which raw stone is melted at temperatures exceeding 1,400 degrees Celsius. The production environment around the furnaces and spinning machines is continuously exposed to high ambient temperatures and intense infrared radiation.

The technical challenge was multifaceted. Standard LED fixtures could not handle the heat load: drivers overheated, optical components discolored, and the lifespan fell well below expectations. In addition, the lighting had to be robust enough to survive in an environment with particulate matter, vibrations, and aggressive conditions.

The chosen solution utilized luminaires specially designed for high ambient temperatures, featuring a thermal design that actively dissipates heat away from sensitive components. The positioning of the luminaires was carefully determined to minimize direct exposure to infrared radiation. The cable connections and mounting materials were also adapted to the thermal conditions.

The lesson learned from this project is that temperature resistance on paper is not the same as reliability in practice. The combination of ambient temperature, radiant heat, and operational continuity requires a comprehensive approach, not just a fixture with a high Ta rating. More projects in similar environments can be found at JEL Products's Projects Page.

How JEL Products Helps Meet Lighting Standards in High-Temperature Environments

JEL Products not only supplies lighting fixtures, but also works with customers to design comprehensive lighting solutions for demanding industrial environments. This begins with assessing the specific conditions: what temperatures are present, is there infrared radiation, what IP and IK ratings are required, and is ATEX certification necessary?

Specifically, JEL Products provides support in the following areas:

Technical advice: environmental analysis and translation into the correct luminaire specifications, including temperature resistance, degree of protection, and any ATEX requirements.
Lighting Design: calculation of the required light levels and fixture positioning, tailored to the operational requirements of the location.
Certified products: all fixtures are provided with the relevant certifications, including CE, IP, IK and, where applicable, ATEX.
Installation and commissioning JEL Products is ISO 9001 and VCA** certified and can handle the entire installation process, even at hard-to-reach locations.
Maintenance and management post-delivery support, so that the lighting functions reliably in the long term.

Would you like to know which lighting solution suits your situation? Then contact us via the JEL Products Contact Page for a no-obligation consultation with a specialist.

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