SSPC-Guide 12

June 1, 1998
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

TECHNOLOGY GUIDE NO. 12

Guide for Illumination of Industrial Painting Projects
1. Scope
1.1 This guide 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, and accident prevention.
1.2 This guide is intended for use by facility owners,
speciers, designers, and contractors.

2. Background
2.1 Lighting standards have been established for most
industrial applications by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI). One standard addresses the temporary lighting
conditions common to most industrial painting projects. ANSI
Z117.1, Safety Requirements for Working in Tanks and Other
Conned Spaces, establishes minimum requirements for
safe entry, continued work in, and exit from tanks and other
conned spaces. The ANSI standard sets entry procedures
which include the use of a permit to authorize illumination of
the space. No specic criteria on illumination are stated.
2.2 Adequate illumination improves productivity and
motivation while poor illumination increases the risk of accidents and costs of operation. Additional illumination beyond
recommended levels may be benecial but not essential to
achieving these objectives. In addition, unnecessarily high
lighting levels add to the cost of procurement, installation, and
maintenance and may have a negative impact on safety and
productivity due to increased glare. Light with substantial color
bias, regardless of foot candles, can hinder the observation of
the true condition of the work surface.
2.3 While natural lighting or use of white containment
materials may provide adequate levels of illumination, once
the decision to use articial lighting to illuminate a work area
is made, portions of the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) regulations on portable lamps and wiring installation
have direct application. However, an integrated guide specic
to the coatings industry is necessary to help establish minimum
standards on quality and quantity of light, as well as consolidate
applicable electrical hazard controls.
2.4 Refer to any and all appropriate sections which
pertain to portable lamps: NFPA 70, National Electric Code
and OSHA regulations 29 CFR Sections 1926.402-408.

9-47

2.5 The recommended levels of illumination contained

in this guide are a result of both objective and subjective
examination of lighting conditions in a variety of work spaces:
tanks, containments, blast and paint rooms, shop oors, and
other situations where similar conditions exist. The resulting
lighting recommendations are believed to be comfortable for
the workers, contributing to distortion-free work surfaces and
adequate levels of illumination for performing general surface
preparation, painting and inspection activities in the work space.
Natural lighting, articial lighting, or a combination of the two
may be used to achieve the levels specied in this guide.

3. Referenced Standards
3.1 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE
(ANSI) STANDARDS:
RP7
Z117.1

Practice for Industrial Lighting

Safety Requirements for Conned Spaces

3.2 FEDERAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS:

Code of Federal Regulations Title 29, Chapter XVII,
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
Part 1910
Occupational Safety and Health Standards,
Subpart J--General Environmental Controls
29 CFR 1910.146
Permit-required conned spaces
Part 1926--Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Subpart
K- Electrical, Installation Safety
Requirements
29 CFR 1926.402
Applicability
29 CFR 1926.403
General requirements
29 CFR 1926.404
Wiring design and protection
29 CFR 1926.405
Wiring methods, components, and
equipment for general use
29 CFR 1926.406
Specic purpose equipment and
installation
29 CFR 1926.407
Hazardous (classied) locations
29 CFR 1926.408
Special systems
29 CFR 1926.449
Denitions applicable to Subpart K
Electrical
3.3 NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
(NFPA) STANDARDS:
70

National Electric Code

SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
3.4 U N D E RW R I T E R S L A B O R ATO R I E S ( U L )
STANDARDS, ANSI APPROVED:
298
1598

4. Denitions

perpendicular to the surface, make a minimum of ve measurements which are representative of the work area. Record each
and calculate the average of the measurements.

Standard for Portable Electric

Hand Lamps
Standard for Luminaries (replaces
all below)

5.1.2 Effect of Airborne Dust: Airborne dust will reduce

visibility. Consideration must be given to the amount of loose
debris which may be created during paint removal or application operations. Depending on the expected concentration
of airborne dust, provisions may be required for its removal
prior to the start of work in order for adequate illumination to
be achieved.

Conned space: Per 29 CFR 1910.146, a conned space

is a space that: (1) is large enough and so congured that an
employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and (2)
has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example,
tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits
are spaces that may have limited means of entry); and (3) is
not designed for continuous occupancy.
Foot candles: A unit of illumination; the illumination at a
point on a surface which is one foot from, and perpendicular
to, a uniform point source of one candle.
General work area lighting: The level of illumination
throughout a work area, measured at various locations on the
horizontal work plane, at least six feet from the nearest light
source.
Non-permit required conned space: A conned space
that does not contain or, with respect to atmospheric hazards,
have the potential to contain any hazard capable of causing
death or serious physical injury.
Permit required conned space: A conned space that
has one or more of the following characteristics: (1) contains
or has the potential to contain a hazardous atmosphere; (2)
contains a material that has the potential for engulng an
entrant; (3) has an internal conguration such that an entrant
could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls
or by a oor which slopes downward and tapers to a smaller
cross-section; or (4) contains any other recognized safety or
health hazard.
Task-specic lighting: The level of illumination required
for performing specic visual tasks (e.g., inspection).
White light: Light containing all wavelengths in the visible
range at similar intensity.

5.2 CLASSIFICATION OF LOCATIONS: Once the evaluation of the work area is complete the work locations should
be classied as one of the following:
5.2.1 Hazardous locations where the potential for explosion and/or re exists. Hazardous locations are dened as
those locations where quantities of ammable gases or vapors,
explosives, combustible dusts, bers, or yings are present or
likely to become present. Lighting xtures used in hazardous
locations must be explosion proof and Underwriters Laboratory
or Factory Mutual approved for use in the appropriate Class
and Division atmosphere.
See Appendix A for a discussion of hazardous locations.
5.2.2 Non-Hazardous locations where the potential
for explosion and/or re does not exist. Lighting xtures used
in nonhazardous locations must be designed to UL Standard
298.
5.2.3 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,
such as unprotected locations exposed to weather.
Lighting xtures used in wet locations must be designed to
UL 1598.

6. Illumination Requirements

5. General Conditions

6.1 A light meter with readings in foot candles should be

used to verify the adequacy of the illumination. For general
work area measurements, the meter should be placed on a
horizontal plane parallel with the work surface (e.g., walking
across staging). For task specic measurements, the meter
should be held at, or placed on, the surface, with the sensor
aligned perpendicular to the surface. Make a minimum of
ve measurements representative of the work area or task.
Compare the average to the criteria in Table 1 and Table 2.

5.1 MONITORING STRATEGY

5.1.1 Quantity of Existing (Natural) Light: Some natural
light will be present in most work areas during daylight hours
and the color of any containment materials (e.g., white tarps)
may improve natural light. The amount of natural light will
depend on factors such as time of year, time of day, orientation
of the work area, and prevailing weather conditions. Although
it is not likely that the quantity and quality of natural light will
be sufcient for work in most conned spaces, the amount of
additional lighting necessary to meet the recommendations
of this guide will be affected by the amount of ambient natural
light available. Measurements should be made with a light
meter held at or placed on the surface. With the sensor aligned

7. Recommendations
The recommendations below are applicable for any articial
lighting required to achieve adequate illumination of a given
work area or specic task.

9-48

SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
7.1 ALL LOCATIONS
7.1.1 All lighting equipment must be durable and designed
for the intended work environment.
7.1.2 Portable lamps and xtures should be encased in
a nonconductive, shatterproof material, which serves as an
electrical insulator providing additional protection from electrical shock, abrasion, and corrosion resistance. Lamps and
xtures should also be equipped with substantial guards to
prevent contact with personnel, containment materials, etc.
7.1.3 Use only heavily insulated cable with an abrasive
resistant casing, at least gage 14/2 SO AWG or heavier and
designed for hard or extra-hard usage, per NFPA 70 (e.g.,
types S, ST, SO, STO).
7.1.4 Use of white light is recommended, as it is closest to
natural light. White light does not visually distort the surface
being worked on or being inspected. Lighting equipment
capable of providing white light should be selected for task
specic lighting where practical.
7.2 NONHAZARDOUS, WET LOCATIONS: All lighting
xtures 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 specic electrical line supplying the power to the light
xture.

8. Proper Use and Maintenance of Lighting

Equipment
8.1 LIGHTING FIXTURES
8.1.1 All lighting systems should be removed from the
direct spray of paint, abrasives, or other materials. Impacts
of air ow patterns from any ventilation system in operation
should also be considered. Paint overspray with accumulations
on xtures reduces the amount of light emitted and restricts
heat dispersement of the light, which may cause premature
failure or overheating.
8.1.2 Do not tape over the lens or cover areas designed
for heat dispersement, as this may cause severe damage to
the xture and signicantly reduces bulb life.
8.1.3 Do not drop or drag lighting xtures.
8.2 POWER CORDS AND CONNECTORS
8.2.1 Periodically inspect GFCIs, plugs, integrated circuit
breakers, and power cords, as well as all power cord connections.

TABLE 1
WORK AREA ILLUMINATION REQUIRMENTS IN FOOT CANDLES1
Minimum

Recommended

General Work Area2

10

20

Task specic - surface preparation and coating application3

20

50

Task specic - inspection

50

200

1
2

Based upon levels of illumination recommended for sample occupational tasks in ANSI/IES RP 7.
The level of illumination throughout a work area, measured at various locations on the horizontal work-plane, at least 6 feet (2 m)
from the nearest light sources. (See Section 6.1). An illumination level of 20 foot candles is recommended for corridors, scaffolds,
and other walking surfaces.
The level of illumination for performing specic visual tasks (i.e., surface preparation, coating application, and inspection) measured
at the work surface in conjunction with the intended light source (See Section 6.1)

TABLE 2
MAXIMUM LUMINANCE RATIOS1

Between task and adjacent darker surroundings2

5 to 13

Between task and adjacent lighter surroundings

1 to 5

Maximum luminance ratios recommended are based upon areas (indoor or outdoor) where it is completely impractical to control
reectances and difcult to alter environmental conditions.
The eyes function more efcientlly and comfortably when the illumination levels within the work environments are not too different from
those of the seeing task.
Based upon maximum luminance ratios from ANSI/IES RP 7

9-49

SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
8.2.2 Do not modify or otherwise alter connectors. Use
an outlet that is compatible with the connector.

497

Recommended Practicenfor the Classication of Flammable Liquids, Gases, orVapors,

and of Hazardous (Classied)Locations for
Electrical Installations in Chemical Process
Areas.
654
Standard for Prevention of Fire and Dust
Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible
Particulate Solids
10.2.2 Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards,
ANSI Approved:

8.2.3 Immediately replace or repair any device or cable

that appears to be worn or broken.
8.3 REPAIRS
8.3.1 Disconnect power and remove any lights or electrical
apparatus needing repair outside any hazardous atmosphere
before performing repairs.
8.3.2 All connections, seals and assemblies must
be repaired per the manufacturers instructions, using the
manufacturers recommended parts.

781

Appendix A. Explosion Hazards

8.3.3 Parts for repair other than those specied by the

manufacturer of the lighting system should not be used.

A. 1 BACKGROUND

8.3.4 Replacement bulbs other than those specied by

the manufacturer of the lighting system should not be used.

Achieving acceptable levels of illumination by natural or

articial 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. This appendix has been added to provide some
direction, but is not considered a requirement of this guide.

9. Disclaimer
This material has been developed under the published
procedures of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings, which
has been designed to assure the appointment of technically
competent committees having balanced representation. While
these procedures assure the highest degree of care, neither
SSPC, its members, nor those participating in its activities accept
any liability resulting from compliance or noncompliance with
the provisions given herein, for any restrictions imposed on
materials or processes, or for the completeness of the text.
SSPC has no power or authority to police or enforce
compliance with the contents of this document, and any certication of products stating compliance with requirements of
this document is made at the peril of the certier.

A. 2 DEFINITIONS
Hazardous locations are classied as Class I, Class II,
or Class III depending upon the physical properties of the
substances which are present. These classes are further
subdivided as Division 1 or Division 2.
Class I locations: Class I locations are those in which ammable gases or vapors are or may be present in the air in
quantities sufcient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures.
Class I locations include the following:
Class I Division 1: A Class I Division I location is a location (a) in which hazardous concentrations of gases or
vapors may exist under normal operating conditions or
(b) in which hazardous concentrations of such gases or
vapors may exist frequently because of repair or maintenance operations or because of leakage or (c) in which
breakdown or faulty operation of equipment or processes
might release hazardous concentrations (e.g., greater than
10% of the Lower Explosive Limit) of ammable gases
or vapors and might also cause simultaneous failure of
electric equipment.
Class I, Division 2: A Class I, Division 2 location is a
location (a) in which volatile ammable liquids or ammable gases are handled, processed or used, but in
which the hazardous liquids, vapors, or gases will normally
be conned within closed containers or closed systems
from which they can escape only in case of accidental
rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems, or

10. Notes
10.1 Air cooled lighting systems, which direct the ow
of compressed air across the lens or around the globe, help
to keep the lens free of contaminants, prolong bulb life, and
generally are of higher intensity required for the lighting of
areas with high concentrations of airborne dust.
10.2 OTHER PERTINENT STANDARDS: Other industry
standards which may be pertinent for illumination in industrial
painting projects are listed below.
10.2.1 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Standards:
70E
77

Standard for Portable Electric Lighting

Units for Use in Hazardous (Classied)
Locations

Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements

for Employee Workplaces
Recommended Practice on Static Electricity

9-50

SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
in case of abnormal operations of equipment, or (b) in
which hazardous concentrations of gases or vapors are
normally prevented by positive mechanical ventilation,
and which might become hazardous through failure or
abnormal operations of the ventilation equipment, or (c)
that is adjacent to a Class I, Division 1 locations and to
which hazardous concentrations of gases or vapors might
occasionally be communicated unless such communication is prevented by adequate positive pressure ventilation
from a source of clean air, and effective safeguards against
ventilation failure are provided.
Class II locations: Class II locations are those that are
hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust. Class
II locations include the following:
Class II, Division 1: A Class II, Division 1 location is a location: (a) in which combustible dust is or may be in suspension in the air under normal operating conditions, in quantities sufcient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures;
or (b) where mechanical failure or abnormal operation of
machinery or equipment might cause such explosive or
ignitable mixtures to be produced, and might also provide
a source of ignition through simultaneous failure of electric
equipment, operation of protection devices, or from other
causes, or (c) in which combustible dusts of an electrically
conductive nature may be present.
Class II, Division 2: A Class II, Division 2 location is a
location in which: (a) combustible dust will not normally
be in suspension in the air in quantities sufcient to
produce explosive or ignitable mixtures, and dust accumulations are normally insufcient to interfere with the normal
operation of electrical equipment or other apparatus;
or (b) dust may be in suspension in the air as a result
of infrequent malfunctioning of handling or processing
equipment, and dust accumulations may be ignitable by
abnormal operation or failure of electrical equipment or
other apparatus.
Class III locations: Class III locations are those that are
hazardous because of the presence of easily ignitable bers
or yings (e.g., dust) but in which such bers or yings are
not likely to be in suspension in the air in quantities sufcient
to produce ignitable mixtures. Class III locations include the
following:
Class III, Division 1: A Class III, Division 1 location is a location in which easily ignitable bers or materials producing
combustible yings are handled, manufactured, or used.
Class III, Division 2: A Class III, Division 2 location is a
location in which easily ignitable bers are stored or
handled, except in process of manufacture.
Note: The above denitions of hazardous (classied) locations are taken directly from 29 CFR 1926.449. Refer to the
OSHA standard for additional information and examples for
each classication.
Hazardous Atmosphere: An atmosphere that may
expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, impair-

9-51

ment of ability to self-rescue (that is, escape unaided from a

permit space), injury, or acute illness from one or more of the
following causes: (1) ammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess
of 10 percent of its lower ammable limit (LFL); (2) airborne
combustible dust at a concentration that meets or exceeds its
LFL; (3) atmospheric oxygen concentration below 19.5% or
above 23.5%; (4) atmospheric concentration of any substance
for which a dose or a permissible exposure limit is published
in subpart G, Occupational Health and Environmental Control,
or in subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances, which could
result in employee exposure in excess of its dose or permissible exposure limit; (5) any other atmospheric condition that is
immediately dangerous to life or health. NOTE: This denition is
taken directly from 29 CFR 1910.146. For the purposes of this
guide, only those considerations in selecting lighting dealing with
the concentrations of ammable vapors or combustible dusts
[items (1) and (2) above] are addressed. The reader is cautioned
to consider all other aspects of a hazardous atmosphere as
described above.
Lower Flammable Limit: The lower limit of ammability of
a gas or vapor at ordinary ambient temperatures expressed in
percent of the gas or vapor in air by volume. Lower Flammable
Limit is synonymous with Lower Explosive Limit.
A.3 EVALUATION OF WORK SITES: Before any aspect
of an industrial painting project commences, the location must
be evaluated to determine whether a hazardous atmosphere
exists. This evaluation involves a thorough inspection of the
work location and often includes both a visual inspection and
monitoring for atmospheric hazards.
OSHAs permit-required conned space standard (29 CFR
1910.146) requires that employers test and monitor spaces with
instruments which detect all aspects of hazardous atmospheres
that may be encountered. OSHA has classied atmospheric
hazards into three categories: toxic; asphyxiating; and ammable or explosive atmospheres. Monitoring tests are typically performed using a direct reading instrument which gives
an instantaneous assessment of the degree of atmospheric
hazard.
From a lighting perspective, the minimum required tests in
any suspect hazardous atmosphere include oxygen level, the
concentration of ammable gases or vapors, and the concentration of combustible dust.
A.4 SURVEY CONSIDERATIONS: Initial testing for hazards
may not be enough. Periodic or continuous testing may be
required, as conditions can change and become hazardous during
the painting project. Conditions may also vary throughout a work
space. Concentrations of ammable gases and vapors may vary
depending on their physical characteristics (i.e., heavier gases
may tend to concentrate near the bottom of tightly sealed spaces
while light gases may concentrate near their emission source
or near the top of the space). With this in mind, a monitoring
strategy must be developed which takes into account both the
physical properties of potential atmospheric hazards and the
physical characteristics of the structure. The instrumentation

SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998
Editorial Revisions November 1, 2004
used to monitor the atmosphere must be classied as intrinsically safe or Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual
(FM) approved for Class I, Division 1 atmospheres.
A.5 HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS, CLASS I AND CLASS II
A.5.1 Explosion proof lighting will be used whenever
painting with a paint containing combustible solvents or
performing any operation which introduces combustible
compounds into a conned space.
A.5.2 All explosion proof lighting xtures used must be
designed to comply with the requirements of NFPA 70.
A.5.3 All related connectors must be rated in the same
manner or be located outside the hazardous location/work
space.

9-52