What is Vapour Tight Light or Vapour Proof Light?

When liquids or flammable gasses come into contact with a heating source, it can lead to a fire. However, industry fires can be tampered down by focusing on the importance of using proper lighting sources such as explosion-proof lighting, hazardous location lighting, and vapour-tight lights.

What Does Hazardous Location Mean? How Do Hazardous Location Lights Help?

Hazardous location means any place where combustible material – fibers, gasses, dust, etc. – is in the air and can lead to an explosion. Hazardous location lights were created to reduce the explosion risk in places where combustible materials are used. 

The electronic components of these lights will not heat up to the point of an explosion. They are usually battery-powered and have a low voltage. There are some exceptions to this, but they generally have lower power than what is seen with explosion-proof lighting. 

These lights can be easily installed and maintained, and you don’t have to empty a room while they’re being installed or fixed. 

What Is Vapor Proof Lighting?

According to Lepro, vapor proof means the inability to penetrate vapors, which can include smoke or fog that remains in the air or any gaseous state that comes from a solid or liquid such as gasoline, mercury, benzoin, etc. Essentially, it is anything that can be vaporized for therapeutic, industrial or military use or a mixture like an internal combustion engine. 

If a manufacturer claims its light fixture is vapor-proof, it must be able to withstand vapor moisture. Vapor proof and waterproof are not the same, as waterproof means to resist water. Vapor is comprised of molecules and is smaller than liquid, passing easily through tight areas. 

What are Vapour Proof and Vapor Tight Lights?

• Vapor Proof LED Lights are designed with a fiberglass or polyurethane outer shell and lined with a total metal fixture. 

• On the other hand, vapour-tight lights are replacements for incandescent or CFL lights. They are similar to vapor-proof lights, helping to protect from wet conditions. 

The difference between these two types of lights is just where they are used; they pretty much do the same thing. They are used in settings where spraying and wetness are common such as walk-in freezers, car washes and subways. 

Do These Lights Help Prevent Explosions?

Vapor-proof lights can sometimes be defined as explosion-proof, depending on whether they are manufactured to meet safety standards. Not all explosion-proof light is considered vapor-proof, and vice versa. Neither vapor-proof lights nor vapor-tight lights will keep a fire or spark from occurring. 

People who order these lights must understand the area where they will be installed to ensure the correct type of vapor light is ordered and installed. 

3 Kinds Of Vapor Tight Fixtures

Vapor tight lighting is a necessity in many businesses in various industries, but each fixture is different. What works for one business in one industry may not work for another business in another industry. What are the different kinds of vapor-tight fixtures that businesses can consider?

• Jelly Jar – This lighting type is designed for smaller spaces. They look like mason jars and come with a cage-like covering. They are also meant to be suspended from walls or ceilings. The Jelly Jar style of lighting is best for dark or damp areas such as coolers, freezers, marine settings, tunnels, etc. It allows businesses to bring style and safety together. 

• Linear – You can find vapor tight linear lights, which are mounted on ceilings, walls, and soffits, at two, four and eight feet. If you have fluorescent tube lights, these are the best replacement for them and can be installed in various types of businesses – parking garages, car washes, and airports. 

• High Bay – High Bay vapor tight fixtures are intended for larger spaces and mounted on ceilings that are a minimum of 18 feet high. This lighting is great for airport hangers, warehouses and any places where air particles like dust and hazardous liquids are present.