Blog Posts

Renewable Energy – it’s a hot topic here in Scotland and the UK, as we strive to meet ambitious net zero targets. And with various technologies available, it’s a mixture of these solutions – including solar, wind, and hydrogen power – that will lead us into a greener and more sustainable future.

The UK Government’s Hydrogen Strategy includes an investment fund of £240 million into the sector, with the aim of exploring and extending Hydrogen’s uses to decarbonize energy provision in the country. So, with Hydrogen production and storage facilities across the UK likely to now increase in number what considerations need to be made when it comes to lighting these areas and spaces?

The background

Hydrogen is a chemical element that’s most abundant in its gaseous form. It’s highly combustible  and has a low ignition point – making it a highly explosive element. Accordingly any facility that produces, handles, stores, or transports hydrogen has to adhere to extensive safety regulations to minimize the risk of combustion. These safety regulations affect every practical element of the facility – including the lighting.

What this means for your lighting plan

As a result storage and production units are rigorously regulated to ensure there is minimal chance that even a small amount of the gas can escape the designated storage apparatus. However, explosion proof lighting must still be used. This includes fixtures which have the capacity to isolate the internal ignition mechanisms from flammable substances in the surrounding environment. This can be achieved by a combination of methods including encapsulating the lighting electronics, hermetically sealing the fitting or minimizing the flame path from the interior to exterior of the fitting. This means that, in the case of ignition and/or sparks, there is an added level of exclusion to ensure it never comes into contact with the outer atmosphere.

All explosion-proof lighting fixtures requires to be certified , but there are different levels of classification, depending on the likelihood and concentration of combustible gases or vapors in the local vicinity . ATEX certifications are used here in Europe to identify appropriately certified lighting.

For Hydrogen facilities, those responsible for lighting plans will have to take into account the following categories in relation to the area:

• The class – which relates to the form of flammable substance in the surrounding environment, ie. gas, liquid, dust, or fibre
• The division – which relates to normal or abnormal hazardous operating conditions.
• The group – which relates to the hazardous substance itself. Hydrogen comes under Group B, Group A being the most flammable.

From this you can see there are plenty of variables to consider – but with the right expertise, you can find the ideal solution. The classification of hazardous areas is usually the scope of a specialist who will conduct surveys of the Hazardous area and advise classifications and zoning. With the area duly classified the next step is to source suitable and fit for purpose lighting.

Expert guidance

At Ecolighting Systems, we specialize in hazardous area lighting. We already work across a variety of industries, including Renewables, Oil & Gas, Spirits, Mining, and Energy  who operate to the most stringent safety and compliance standards.

Our expertise at designing the right lighting solution for your site, combined with our roster of market-leading suppliers, means that we are the ideal partner to advise, consult and deliver your lighting systems. Whatever the specifications, we’ll find the best products delivered in line with your project schedule and budget expectations.

To discuss your site, get in touch with our team today.

The design and assessment process for ensuring an effective technical lighting solution is a complex one. How can you be sure that you’re  selecting the right lighting product or products for your business. It’s never as simple as “just put in some lighting” and there are a myriad of factors that need careful consideration from the activities that will be taking place in the space, to budget and location. We have a tried and tested four stage process that we use to find the optimum lighting solution for every situation:

1. Assess The Environment

We provide lighting solutions to an abundance of sectors, each of them entirely different from the next. From food production facilities through to distilleries, ports and harbours, and energy generation – each sector, and the buildings they use, contain different environments, and this affects which solutions will work best.

The sort of elements we’ll consider are the temperature range, are the lights internal or external, are there harsh chemicals in use, does the lighting need to be dustproof and waterproof, is the area a sterile or hazardous environment (explosive)? All of these factors need to be assessed and taken into consideration within the proposed design and solution.

2. Area Requirements

The purpose of a space and the activities that take place there are also a vital consideration for your design. Will be machinery in use, like fork lifts for example, in which case you need to ensure that lighting fixtures aren’t obstructing any activity taking place. Similarly, you might need to have clear view of colours, for example if processing food, in which case any lighting solution needs to ensure a good colour render index and uniformity across the space e.g. to ensure food is not raw (chicken-pink).

The nature of the activity itself also will determine what strength and type of lighting you require. Set out a clear list of requirements and needs at the outset and cross reference these against guidelines provided by the Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) to ensure everything’s compliant from a regulatory perspective.

The correct level of lighting depends entirely on your operation, but it can affect the efficiency of your output and the comfort of each individual – so it’s vital to get it right.

3. Comfort and Safety

Lighting plays a pivotal role in the ongoing safety of your teams. Whether they’re handling hazardous materials, require a sterile environment, or operating machinery – the lighting should be designed in such a way that your people can safely carry out the task at hand.

Poor visibility is a contributor to accidents in the work place, but the incorrect type of lighting can also contribute to eye strain and headaches which can also increase the risk of absences and decrease productivity. Additionally, lighting can significantly affect circadian rhythms and has shown to influence productivity.

4. Technical Constraints And Client Requirements

After having gained a clear picture of all elements needed, it’s then time to hit the button on researching what products are available and the listed characteristics of each.

At this point it’s good to assess what locations and fixtures are most suitable, if remote batteries are required, what brightness is required and (if external) does this fit with local guidelines on appropriate brightness. It’s mission critical to ensure that whatever sector you work in, that the proposed design is in line with your governing body’s regulations and is optimised for the benefits of your operation and staff.

Alongside this assessment, think about budget constraints, timelines requirements, compatibility with existing systems, and access for fitting, and build this into the planning.

The design and solution service we offer to each of our customers, uses our expert guidance to ensure you select the right lighting product or products for your business. Our tried and tested process that we use in partnership with each client, ensures we find a lighting solution that will work for you and stand the test of time.

If you’d like to discuss your requirements with us for a space or upcoming lighting project – we’d be delighted for you to get in touch. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call on 0141 374 0432 to speak with one of our experienced team.

The Ecolighting Systems Approach To Illuminating Distilleries read more

The Fish Industry is a crucial part of the Scottish economy in terms of generating revenue however there are many challenges faced by fish producers, small and large.

Overfishing being one of the most important concerns for fish producers. With an increase in consumption of fish products, it is vital that producers maximise the yield of their catch. Efficient processing conditions can increase the yield of the catch generating additional income from side streams (head and viscera).

Lighting conditions need to be at the optimal to ensure efficient working conditional as well and meeting the health and safety requirements.
Sammode lighting are a leading manufacturer of lighting for the food processing industry. Our range of fittings are uniquely designed to enhance hygiene in production and process areas as their tubular profile minimises flat surfaces which may be subject to bacterial build up. The single end cable entry results in optimising ingress protection and Sammode fittings are rated up to IP69, ideal in areas where high pressure cleaning is practiced.

The design of Sammode fittings allows operation in extreme temperatures both high and low. Fittings are available for temperatures down to -40 degrees or as high as +200 degrees so blast freezing or high temperature cooking applications can be lit using Sammode fittings. Sammode also use the highest quality materials including borosilicate glass and marine grade steel. Consequently, Sammode offer a 5 or 8 year full fitting warranty on their entire range.
We are confident that Sammode will exceed your requirements for food processing lighting and would be delighted to discuss them with you.

Light Bulb Moment In The UK Fishing Industry read more 

When it comes to aged spirits, we all know about the Angel’s Share – the proportion of spirit that evaporates into the air when the liquid is being aged in oak barrels. And it’s precisely this angel’s share that makes lighting for distilleries a specialist task.

Whether it’s the distilling room itself or the associated storage warehouses stacked up with barrels of fine spirit, these environments filled with highly flammable vapour add yet another layer of complexity to the task at hand.

At Ecolighting Systems, we have been servicing the UK’s spirits sector for over 13 years, providing ATEX, Hazardous Area lighting and wider industrial lighter solutions to distilleries up and down the UK. We’ve worked with some of the most prominent names in whisky and gin, including Rosebank, Edinburgh Gin, and Glenturret to name but a few.

Here’s a little more about our approach to lighting for distilleries and how our expertise can really make a difference to each project.

Our process

1. Understand the operating environment

The first step for us is to consult with the client – whether that’s the architect, consultant, or owner of the building in question themselves. During this consultation we’ll learn about the operating environment by asking questions about the space, how it functions and what sort of temperatures and moisture content it has or is required to have.

2. Defining the area(s)

From this first step, we’ll then gather more detailed information about the area in question. What are the potential obstructions to light propagation, how will the space be used by those accessing it, and what does this mean for the requirements of the lighting.

3. Establishing limitations for fixtures

Where can we fit each fixture? Is the ceiling space suitable for fixtures, suitable for suspension, and is there access to cabling there. These are the type of things we’ll assess at this stage.

4. Designig a solution

With all of the above information to hand we’ll use our specialist software to draft a proposed lighting solution that encompasses all spaces outlined in the brief. During this process we’ll continue dialogue with the client to make sure we have all the facts to hand (including timescales and lead times for specific products) to maximise the suitability of our proposal.

5. Quotes and tendering

With the solution agreed in principle, we’ll prepare a quotation and submit this to the client. If tendering, this information will be submitted in a suitable format.

6. Delivering and install

If successfully agreed by the client and a receipt of order is received, we’ll then agree the delivery schedule and start planning for delivery.

Aftercare

We offer ongoing aftercare to our clients with reference to product warranties and the necessary certificates, ensuring you get the very best from your new lighting solution.

Why choose Ecolighting Systems

At Ecolighting Systems, we work with high-quality suppliers who provide exceptional products and robust warranties. But it is our tailored approach, informed by our 13 years of experience in industrial lighting that best-serves our clients. We can identify the ideal solution and products for each of your individual spaces. We already understand the potential hazards and limitations that affect each industry, and this makes us efficient and effective in our approach. And we’re proud to offer some of the best delivery times on the market.

All of this delivered by our customer-focused team.

If you’d like to discuss your next project or ongoing lighting requirements get in touch at [email protected] or give us a call on 141 374 0432.

The Fishing industry is still one of great importance to Scotland and the UK’s economy. And whilst we import almost five times[1] as much as we catch in our domestic waters, significant proportions of this is landed here in the UK – meaning it needs to be processed. To maximise revenue, producers need to efficiently process their seafood, and by doing so they can increase the yield of their catch.

Pressures of demand and overfishing
Global marine seafood production is expected to increase by 20% by 2050[2] – partly due to increased demand and increasing populations. This is good news for the UK’s fishing industry, as our produce is regarded as being some of the best seafood in the world. But overfishing in UK waters is a real concern, and this is yet another reason for producers to maximise their yield and minimise loss in the processing stage.

Overfishing is also being tackled through legislation that ensures responsible and sustainable production, in all parts of the UK. Seafish, the UK’s public body for the protection of the seafood industry defines this as:

“For seafood to be responsibly sourced, it needs to be caught or farmed in a way that minimises impact on fish stocks and the marine environment.”

The rise of fish farming
Overfishing has also led to an increased reliance on fish farms, which allows demand to be met without exceeding fishing quotas. Fish farming is widely regarded as a positive practice in the UK, for the following reasons:

• It protects the UK’s natural environment and populations of oceanic species.
• It supports innovation across the sector.
• Scottish Salmon (the vast majority of which is fish farmed) was the UK’s largest food export by value[3] in 2023.
• It is a large slice of the wider Aquaculture industry, which in Scotland alone has grown by 30% in value, in the last decade[4].
• Fish farming also aids with efficiency and improved yield, as pelagic fish (fish caught in the open parts of the sea) are more likely to perish when being transported to land, or then in the processing stages.

Maximising Yield

To make the most of every morsel, caught or farmed, preservation techniques like blast freezing and cold storage are used to seal in freshness and improve longevity. Producers may also create sidestreams for other parts of the fish that aren’t ordinarily eaten and this allows them to really make the most of all that is caught. To do this, the entire catch must be preserved and protected as best as possible. Blast freezing is the practice of circulating freezing air round a room to ensure every product is evenly frozen. These products are then cold stored in a room with temperatures set to as low as -30 °C.

So where does lighting fit in?

It takes a specific type of lighting product to continue to work effectively in extreme temperatures. Sammode’s range of internal and exterior fittings provided by Eco Lighting Systems are ideally suited to seafood processing plants and fish farms for a number of reasons:

• Fully operational in extreme temperatures – from -70°C up to 200°C.
• Comprised of high-quality materials such as borosilicate glass and marine grade steel.
• Exceptional reliability and longevity, due to effective design and installation.
• Energy efficient products available across the range to minimise running costs.
• Five or eight year warranties available on the entire range

If you’d like to discuss lighting across your seafood operation please do get in touch at [email protected].

The Fish Industry In Scotland read more 

[1] https://www.seafish.org/seafood-in-numbers/

[2] https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/premium/supply-trade/dnv-global-seafood-demand-predicted-to-soar-through-2050-in-line-with-population-growth

[3] https://www.gov.scot/news/wider-economic-impacts-of-aquaculture/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAquaculture%20is%20a%20key%20industry,the%20public%20purse%20in%20taxes.

[4] https://thefishsite.com/articles/scottish-aquaculture-report-r