Manufacturing

Lighting Challenges in Manufacturing Facilities

Manufacturing environments typically prioritize consistent, even illumination across large floor areas and along process lines, addressed through High Bay Lighting for elevated ceilings and Linear Lighting for aisles and assembly lines. Facilities involving welding, metalworking, or chemical processes may also generate combustible dust or require higher heat tolerance, calling for Hazardous-Rated Lighting or High Temperature Lighting in specific process areas.

Vibration from heavy machinery and material handling equipment is another common consideration, making impact resistance — IK08 or IK10-rated fixtures — relevant alongside standard illumination requirements.

Recommended Fixture Types

• High Bay Lighting — for production floors with elevated ceilings
• Linear Lighting — for assembly lines and process-line illumination
• Hazardous-Rated Lighting — for areas generating combustible metal dust or handling flammable materials
• High Temperature Lighting — near welding, casting, or high-heat manufacturing processes
• Retrofit Lighting Kits — for upgrading existing manufacturing floor fixtures to LED

Common Certifications

• UL 1598 — baseline safety standard for standard manufacturing luminaires
• UL 844 — for classified hazardous areas within manufacturing facilities
• DLC — for facilities pursuing utility rebate programs on LED upgrades

Choosing the Right Fixture for Your Facility

Identify which specific manufacturing processes occur in each area of your facility — welding, metalworking, chemical handling, or general assembly — since hazard classification and temperature requirements vary significantly by process type rather than applying uniformly across a facility.