SSPC-Guide 12

June 1, 1998

SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings

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,
specifiers, 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 Confined Spaces, establishes minimum
requirements for safe entry, continued work in, and exit from
tanks and other confined spaces. The ANSI standard sets
entry procedures which include the use of a permit to authorize illumination of the space. No specific 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 beneficial 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 artificial 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 specific 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.

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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.
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 floors, 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, artificial lighting, or a combination of the two may be used to achieve the levels specified
in this guide.

3. References
3.1 The standards referenced in this guide are listed in
Sections 3.4 through 3.7 and form a part of this guide.
3.2 The latest issue, revision, or amendment of the
referenced standards in effect on the date of invitation to bid
shall govern, unless otherwise specified.
3.3 If there is a conflict between the requirements of any
of the cited reference standards and this guide, the requirements of this guide shall prevail.
3.4 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE
(ANSI) STANDARDS:
RP7
Z117.1

Practice for Industrial Lighting

Safety Requirements for Confined Spaces

3.5 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 confined
spaces
Part 1926--Safety and Health
Regulations for Construction,

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June 1, 1998

29
29
29
29

CFR
CFR
CFR
CFR

1926.402
1926.403
1926.404
1926.405

29 CFR 1926.406
29 CFR 1926.407
29 CFR 1926.408
29 CFR 1926.449

Subpart K- Electrical, Installation Safety Requirements

Applicability
General requirements
Wiring design and protection
Wiring methods, components,
and equipment for general use
Specific purpose equipment and
installation
Hazardous (classified) locations
Special systems
Definitions applicable to Subpart
K--Electrical

3.6 NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

(NFPA) STANDARDS:
70

National Electric Code

3.7 UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES (UL) STANDARDS, ANSI APPROVED:

298

Portable Electric Hand Lamps

1570
1571

Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures

Incandescent Lighting Fixtures

1572

High Intensity Discharge Lighting

Fixtures

4. Definitions
Confined space: Per 29 CFR 1910.146, a confined
space is a space that: (1) is large enough and so configured
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 confined space: A confined
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 confined space: A confined 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
engulfing an entrant; (3) has an internal configuration such
that an entrant could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly
converging walls or by a floor which slopes downward and
tapers to a smaller cross-section; or (4) contains any other
recognized safety or health hazard.

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Task-specific lighting: The level of illumination required for performing specific visual tasks (e.g., inspection).
White light: Light containing all wavelengths in the
visible range at similar intensity.

5. General Conditions
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 sufficient for work in most
confined 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 perpendicular to the surface, make a minimum of five measurements
which are representative of the work area. Record each and
calculate the average of the measurements.
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.
5.2 CLASSIFICATION OF LOCATIONS: Once the
evaluation of the work area is complete the work locations
should be classified as one of the following:
5.2.1 Hazardous locations where the potential for
explosion and/or fire exists. Hazardous locations are defined as those locations where quantities of flammable
gases or vapors, explosives, combustible dusts, fibers, or
flyings are present or likely to become present. Lighting
fixtures 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 fire does not exist. Lighting fixtures
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

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7.1 ALL LOCATIONS

earth, and locations subject to saturation with water or other

liquids, such as unprotected locations exposed to weather.

7.1.1 All lighting equipment must be durable and designed for the intended work environment.

Lighting fixtures used in wet locations must be designed

to ANSI/UL 1570, 1571, or 1572.

7.1.2 Portable lamps and fixtures 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
fixtures should also be equipped with substantial guards to
prevent contact with personnel, containment materials, etc.

6. Illumination Requirements
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 specific measurements, the meter
should be held at, or placed on, the surface, with the sensor
aligned perpendicular to the surface. Make a minimum of
five measurements representative of the work area or task.
Compare the average to the criteria in Table 1 and Table 2.

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 specific lighting where practical.

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

Table 1
WORK AREA ILLUMINATION REQUIRMENTS IN FOOT CANDLES1

Minimum

Recommended

General Work Area 2

10

20

Task specific - surface preparation and coating application 3

20

50

Task specific - inspection

50

200

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.
3
The level of illumination for performing specific 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)
2

Table 2
MAXIMUM LUMINANCE RATIOS1

Between task and adjacent darker surroundings2

5 to 1 3

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 reflectances and difficult to alter environmental conditions.
2
The eyes function more efficientlly and comfortably when the illumination levels within the work environments are not too
different from those of the seeing task.
3
Based upon maximum luminance ratios from ANSI/IES RP 7

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SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998
7.2 NONHAZARDOUS, WET LOCATIONS: 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.

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 flow patterns from any ventilation system in operation
should also be considered. Paint overspray with accumulations on fixtures 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 fixture and significantly reduces bulb life.

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
certification of products stating compliance with requirements of this document is made at the peril of the certifier.

10. Notes
Notes are not a requirement of this guide.
10.1 Air cooled lighting systems, which direct the flow
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.

8.1.3 Do not drop or drag lighting fixtures.

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.

10.2.1 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Standards:
70E

8.2.2 Do not modify or otherwise alter connectors. Use

an outlet that is compatible with the connector.
8.2.3 Immediately replace or repair any device or cable
that appears to be worn or broken.

77
497A

8.3 REPAIRS
8.3.1 Disconnect power and remove any lights or
electrical apparatus needing repair outside any hazardous
atmosphere before performing repairs.

497B

8.3.2 All connections, seals and assemblies must be

repaired per the manufacturers instructions, using the
manufacturers recommended parts.

497M

654
8.3.3 Parts for repair other than those specified by the
manufacturer of the lighting system should not be used.
8.3.4 Replacement bulbs other than those specified by
the manufacturer of the lighting system should not be used.

10.2.2 Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards,

ANSI Approved:
781

9. Disclaimer
This material has been developed under the published
procedures of SSPC: The Society for Protective Coatings,

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Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces

Recommended Practice on Static Electricity
Recommended Practice for the Classification of Class I Hazardous (Classified)
Locations for Electrical Installations in
Chemical Process Areas
Recommended Practice for the Classification of Class II Hazardous (Classified)
Locations for Electrical Installation in
Chemical Process Areas
Manual for Classification of Gases, Vapors, and Dusts for Electrical Equipment
in Hazardous (Classified) Locations
Standard for Prevention of Fire and Dust
Explosions in Chemical, Dye, Pharmaceutical, and Plastics Industries

Portable Electric Lighting Units for Use in

Hazardous (Classified) Locations

SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998

Appendix A. Explosion Hazards

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 sufficient 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
sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures,
and dust accumulations are normally insufficient 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.

A. 1 BACKGROUND
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. This appendix has been added to
provide some direction, but is not considered a requirement
of this guide.
A. 2 DEFINITIONS
Hazardous locations are classified 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
flammable gases or vapors are or may be present in the air
in quantities sufficient 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
flammable 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 flammable liquids or flammable gases are handled, processed or used, but in
which the hazardous liquids, vapors, or gases will
normally be confined 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 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 III locations: Class III locations are those that 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. Class III
locations include the following:
Class III, Division 1: A Class III, Division 1 location is
a location in which easily ignitable fibers or materials
producing combustible flyings are handled, manufactured, or used.
Class III, Division 2: A Class III, Division 2 location is
a location in which easily ignitable fibers are stored or
handled, except in process of manufacture.
Note: The above definitions of hazardous (classified) locations are taken directly from 29 CFR 1926.449. Refer to the
OSHA standard for additional information and examples
for each classification.
Hazardous Atmosphere: An atmosphere that may
expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation,
impairment 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) flammable gas, vapor, or
mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable 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

Class II locations: Class II locations are those that are

hazardous because of the presence of combustible dust.

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SSPC-Guide 12
June 1, 1998
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 definition 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 flammable 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 flammability 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 confined 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
classified atmospheric hazards into three categories: toxic;
asphyxiating; and flammable 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 flammable gases or vapors, and the
concentration of combustible dust.

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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 flammable
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
used to monitor the atmosphere must be classified 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 confined space.
A.5.2 All explosion proof lighting fixtures 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.