Illumination for Industrial Painting Projects

Presented by: William Hansel, Caltrans

Learning Outcomes• At the end of this webinar you will be

able to:– Define illumination– Define industry standards that pertain to

illumination– Recognize illumination requirements for

different coating applications

Introduction• This webinar provides information on

the quantity and quality of lighting on industrial painting projects that is conducive to:– Achieving quality surface preparation

and coating application– Productivity– Inspection/quality control– Accident prevention

Illumination• Achieving acceptable levels of

illumination by natural or artificial means in the industrial painting industry is complicated due to the complexity of structures, vision inhibiting dust and potentially hazardous concentrations of explosive dust or solvent vapors

Illumination• Adequate illumination improves

productivity and motivation• Poor illumination increases the risk

of accidents and costs of operation

Illumination Industry Standards

• Lighting standards have been established for most industrial applications– American National Standards Institute

(ANSI)• RP7- Practice for Industrial Lighting• Z117.1- Safety Requirements for Confined

Spaces

– SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

• Technology Guide No. 12, Guide for Illumination of Industrial Painting Projects

SSPC Technology Guide 12• Provides recommended levels of

illumination needed to provide objective and subjective examination of lighting conditions in a variety of work spaces such as:– Tanks– Containments– Blast and Paint Rooms– Shop Floors

Lighting Under a Bridge

Example of Lights to Improve Work Visibility

Quantity of Existing (Natural) Light• Some natural light will be present in

most work areas during daylight hours

• Amount of natural light will depend on factors such as:– Time of year– Time of day– Orientation of work area– Prevailing weather conditions

Determining Amount of Existing Light• Measurements should be made with

a light meter held at or placed on the surface

Determining Amount of Existing Light• With the sensor aligned

perpendicular to the surface, make a minimum of 5 measurements which are representative of the work area

• Record each and calculate the average of the measurements

Effect of Airborne Dust• Airborne dust will

reduce visibility• Provisions may

be required for its removal prior to the start of work in order for adequate illumination to be achieved

Classification of Locations• Once the evaluation of the work

area is complete the work locations should be classified as one of the following:– Hazardous locations– Non-hazardous locations– Wet locations

Hazardous Locations• Potential for

explosion and/or fire exists

• Locations where quantities of flammable gasses or vapors, explosives, combustible dusts, fibers or flyings are present or likely to become present

Hazardous Locations

Hazardous Locations• Lighting fixtures use in hazardous

locations must be explosion proof and Underwriters Laboratory or Factory Mutual approved for use in the appropriate Class and Division atmosphere

Hazardous Classes• Hazardous locations are classified

as:– Class I– Class II– Class III

Class l• Locations in which flammable gases

or vapors are or may be present in the air in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures

Class ll• Locations in which are hazardous

because of the presence of combustible dust

Class I and Class II• Explosion proof lighting will be used whenever

painting with a paint containing combustible solvents or performing any operation which introduces combustible compounds into a confined space

• All explosion proof lighting fixtures used must be designed to comply with the requirements of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workspaces

• All related connectors must be rated in the same manner or be located outside the hazardous location/work space

Class III• Locations in which are hazardous

because of the presence of easily ignitable fibers or flyings (e.g., dust) but in which such fibers or flyings are not likely to be in suspension in the air in quantities sufficient to produce ignitable mixtures

Non-Hazardous Locations• Where the potential for explosion

and/or fire does not exist• Lighting fixtures used in non-

hazardous locations must be designed to UL Standard 298, Standard for Portable Electric Hand Lamps

Wet Locations• Where installations are underground

or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth, and locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids– Lighting fixtures must be designed to

UL 1598, Standard for Luminaries

Illumination Requirements

Minimum Recommended

General Work Area 10 20

Task Specific- Surface Preparation and Coating

Application

20 50

Task Specific-Inspection 50 200

Work Area Illumination Requirements in Foot Candles

Illumination Requirements

Between Task and Adjacent Darker Surroundings

5 to 1

Between Task and Adjacent Lighter Surroundings

1 to 5

Maximum Luminance Ratios

Illumination Requirements• All lighting equipment must be

durable and designed for intended work environment

• Portable lamps and fixtures should be encased in a nonconductive, shatterproof material

Illumination Requirements• Lamps and fixtures should also be

equipped with substantial guards• Use only heavily insulated cable

– Abrasive resistant casing, at least gage 14/2 SO AWG or heavier

– Designed for hard or extra-hard usage per NFPA 70

Illumination Requirements• Use of white light is recommended• Does not visually distort the surface

being worked on or inspected

Illumination Requirements• All lighting fixtures having an

electrical supply service greater than 12 volts must be:– Properly grounded– Have ground fault circuit interrupter

(GFCI) protection or;– Have an integrated circuit breaker

wired into the specific electrical line supplying the power to the light fixture

Example of a GFCI

Proper Use and Maintenance of Lighting Equipment• All lighting systems should be

removed from the direct spray of:– Paint– Abrasives– Other materials

• Paint overspray with accumulations on fixtures reduces the amount of light emitted

Proper Use and Maintenance of Lighting Equipment• Do not tape over the lens to cover

areas designed for heat dispersement

• Do not drop or drag lighting fixtures• Periodically inspect GFCIs, plugs,

integrated circuit breakers, power cords and power cord connections

Proper Use and Maintenance of Lighting Equipment• Do not modify or otherwise alter

connectors. Use an outlet that is compatible with the connector

• Immediately replace or repair any device or cable that appears to not be working or broken

Summary

• Achieving acceptable levels of illumination by natural or artificial means in the industrial painting industry is necessary to avoid the increase risk of accidents and to improve overall on the job productivity