SPARTAN Recess is a next-generation recessed LED luminaire designed specifically by Raytec for hazardous industrial areas, including oil & gas, chemical processing, pharmaceuticals, and offshore facilities. Engineered to meet ATEX, IECEx, and UL/cUL certifications, this explosion-proof lighting solution delivers superior illumination, energy efficiency, and unmatched durability in the most demanding environments.
Unlike traditional recessed lighting, the SPARTAN Recess combines cutting-edge LED technology with a lightweight, modular design, making it easier to install, maintain, and adapt to any application.
The SPARTAN Recess is built with unmatched flexibility, offering
Five standard sizes (ranging from compact to high-output variants)
Three installation methods (exposed ‘T’ bar, concealed ‘T’ bar, solid/plasterboard, and offshore ceilings)
Optional accessories (including emergency battery packs, different diffusers, and mounting kits)
This modular approach ensures seamless integration into new and retrofit installations, providing the perfect fit for any hazardous area.
Traditional recessed luminaires are often heavy, increasing installation time and ceiling load. The SPARTAN Recess is 50% lighter than conventional alternatives, thanks to:
Optimised material usage (reducing excess sheet metal)
High-efficiency LED optics (delivering high lumen output without added weight)
This makes it safer and faster to install, particularly in offshore and high-ceiling environments.
Downtime is costly in hazardous areas—SPARTAN Recess minimises disruption with:
Tool-free access (servicing from above or below the ceiling)
Low-profile design (fits into shallow ceiling voids without disassembly)
Quick-release mechanisms (for fast lamp or driver replacement)
These features ensure reduced maintenance costs and longer operational lifespans.
Every industrial space has unique lighting requirements. The SPARTAN Recess provides:
Multiple beam angle options (wide, medium, and narrow for task or area lighting)
Diffused lenses (eliminating glare and hotspots for uniform illumination)
Free lighting design service (Raytec experts can tailor beam patterns for your facility)
The SPARTAN Recess is DALI 2.0 dimmable as standard, enabling:
Precise brightness control (for energy savings and adaptive lighting)
Integration with BMS (Building Management Systems)
Emergency lighting options (battery backup versions available)
The SPARTAN Recess is independently certified for use in hazardous areas, including:
This ensures full compliance with global safety standards, making it a trusted choice for high-risk industries.
The SPARTAN Recess is perfect for:
✅ Oil & Gas Platforms (rigs, refineries, processing plants)
✅ Chemical & Pharmaceutical Facilities (labs, storage areas, production zones)
✅ Marine & Offshore Installations (ships, drilling platforms, port facilities)
✅ Food & Beverage Processing (ATEX-rated washdown areas)
✅ Mining & Heavy Industry (dust-prone and explosive atmospheres)
All Raytec lighting is designed and manufactured in the UK and available with a 5 year warranty. Thorne & Derrick together with Raytec offer unrivalled product support helping the hazardous area industry to improve safety, reliability & operational performance.
Thorne & Derrick hold extensive UK stocks ensuring fast delivery worldwide and offer free, fast and expert specification advice from our skilled team with over 35 years’ experience.
➡ Using latest software our FREE Lighting Design Service supports the upgrade from fluorescent to LED lighting focussed on maximised light output, optimised energy consumption with reliable and safe certification for explosion protection concepts in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous area zones and workplaces.
Upgrade Your Industrial & Hazardous Area Lighting Solutions:
Experience the benefits of SPARTAN Recess luminaires for yourself. Upgrade your lighting solutions with this cutting-edge technology and enjoy:
Join the next generation of recessed hazardous area lighting with SPARTAN Recess. Contact Thorne & Derrick today to learn more about how this innovative solution can revolutionise your lighting needs.
Using the latest software, we can provide a FREE LIGHTING DESIGN SERVICE for the specification and supply of ATEX & IECEx light fittings to provide safe and reliable lighting in hazardous areas and industrial locations
The EU Safety Gate has issued a critical safety alert regarding Unicorn LED luminaires (Models TB020, TB040ME2, TB060, TB075, TB080) falsely marketed as ATEX-certified for explosive atmospheres. These lights, sold via Alibaba, lack essential safety features and could trigger catastrophic explosions in Zone 1 environments with flammable gases.
If your facility uses ATEX lighting, this warning could prevent disaster, proving why false compliance is a lethal gamble.
Official Alert Reference: EU Safety Gate – Unicorn LED Recall
Regulatory Actions:
EU-wide ban & mandatory recall
Criminal penalties for distributors
Market surveillance alerts issued
| Category | Details | Compliance Status | Risk Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand/Model | Unicorn TB020, TB040ME2, TB060, TB075, TB080 | Non-Compliant (Confirmed Fake Certified) | Extreme Hazard |
| Description | Yellow LED linear luminaire (~60cm) | Sold as Zone 1 compliant | Actual Zone 1 ignition risk |
| Technical Specifications | Marketed for explosive atmospheres | Fails ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU & EN 60079-18 | No explosion protection |
| Sales Channels | Alibaba and unverified online platforms | No authorised distributors identified | High fraud probability |
| Country of Origin | China | No valid EU type-examination | Uncontrolled manufacturing |
| Recall Information | • Manufacturer recall (16/05/2025) • Importer recall (16/05/2025) |
Active in Germany and Luxembourg | Possibly still circulating |
The Unicorn lights were sold as “ATEX-approved” for Zone 1 but lack:
This is part of a dangerous trend:
Fake ATEX certificates cloned from legitimate products
Online marketplaces flooding industries with deadly fakes
Cost-driven buyers unknowingly risking lives
Demand Full Documentation
Verify EN 60079-18 and ISO 80079-36/37 compliance
Confirm Notified Body certificates (4-digit NB code)
Inspect Physical Markings
Genuine ATEX lights show Ex mb II T4 ratings (Zone 1)
Check for tampered labels or vague documentation
Buy From Trusted Suppliers
Avoid Alibaba/unknown vendors
Use authorised distributors like Thorne & Derrick
Report Suspect Products
EU Safety Gate
Local hazardous equipment regulators
As a leading hazardous area equipment distributor, we:
Supply 100% certified ATEX lighting compliant with EN 60079, ISO 80079, and BS EN 14986.
Provide full test reports and Notified Body approvals.
Help clients avoid legal liabilities and operational disasters.
The Bottom Line:
Non-compliant ATEX equipment kills.
Always demand proof of certification—never compromise.
At Thorne & Derrick, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s the foundation of everything we do. That’s why we were privileged to participate in the pilot delivery of the groundbreaking CompEX Level 1 Ex Awareness Course, hosted by Roxby Training Solutions at their Stockton training centre.
As trusted industry experts, we were invited to provide critical feedback on the course’s structure and delivery. Two of our team members—Terry McDonald (Safety Champion) and Regan Redpath (Apprentice Sales Engineer)—took part, achieving outstanding results:
Delegate Testimonial: Regan’s Experience“The course provided a clear and straightforward overview of hazardous areas—what they are, why they exist, and the potential dangers they pose. The content was well-structured and easy to follow, perfectly outlining essential safety measures to follow in such environments. This training is incredibly valuable and will benefit anyone who works in or accesses hazardous areas, ensuring they stay safe and informed.”
— Regan Apprentice Sales Engineer, First to Pass CompEx Level 1 Ex Awareness Course
The CompEX Level 1 Ex Awareness Course provides essential training for professionals who:
This training goes beyond basic compliance to deliver real-world benefits:
Thorne & Derrick can be safely trusted to specify and supply electrical, mechanical, process, and instrumentation equipment for use in hazardous areas zones and explosive atmospheres.
The Critical Need for Hazardous Area AwarenessIn industries where a single spark can be catastrophic, standardised safety training isn’t optional— The CompEX Level 1 Ex Awareness Course addresses:
This course is a major step forward in bridging the knowledge gap for newcomers to the industry, offering a course demonstrating the risks, hazards, and essential safety protocols for working in explosive atmospheres (Zone 0/1/2). |
|
“Thank you to Roxby and CompEX for the invite to participate in and provide feedback on the very first Ex Awareness (Ex A) Level 1 course. Having worked in the industry for almost 2 decades, one thing that no longer shocks me is the difference in levels of competency from company to company and industry to industry. Any course that can help improve knowledge and awareness can only be a big positive.
The course provides a very basic introduction to hazardous areas, highlights the hazards/risks and demonstrates the severe consequences if we don’t all take our responsibilities seriously. I believe the course bridges the knowledge gap for those people entering the industry and also for people working in office based roles for those organisations who operate in this high hazard industry. I should also congratulate our very own Regan Redpath for being the very first person to pass the course.”
– Terry McDonald, Sales & Business Development Manager at T&D
COMPEXCompEX is a recognised certification scheme for validating the competency of staff working in all industries with potentially hazardous and explosive atmospheres.
Roxby Training Solutions is a provider of specialised industrial training, offering accredited courses in hazardous areas (ATEX/CompEX), electrical safety, and technical competency.
Thorne & Derrick International are your single-source supplier of Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment for use in industrial, hazardous area zones and explosive atmospheres.
T&D provide an outstanding service to UK and international customers – we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
A critical safety alert has been issued by the EU Safety Gate (Alert A12/01977/24) regarding the CHERUBIM BCFT-300 industrial fans falsely marketed as ATEX-certified for use in explosive atmospheres. These fans, sold via atex-supplies.com, lack essential safety features and could trigger catastrophic explosions in environments with flammable gases or dust.
If your company relies on ATEX, UKEX, or IECEx equipment, this guide could save lives—and prove why cutting corners on compliance is a deadly mistake.
For full details, see the EU Safety Gate Report.
The CHERUBIM BCFT-300 (Batch 11.2024) is a 110VAC explosion-proof fan sold on atex-supplies.com. Despite being marketed for Zones 1/2/21/22, its unsafe design risks causing fatal explosions in flammable atmospheres.
| Specification | Details | Compliance Status | Risk Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Name | CHERUBIM BCFT-300 Portable Explosion Proof Fan | Fully Non-Compliant | Extreme Hazard |
| Batch Number | 11.2024 | Recalled 18/03/2025 | Active recall in progress |
| Technical Specs | 110VAC, 190mm blade, 2800r/min, 3300m³/h | Untested full assembly | Unverified mechanical safety |
| Certification Claims | ATEX Zones 1,2,21,22 | Failed Directive 2014/34/EU | Fraudulent certification |
| Sales Channel | atex-supplies.com | Website under investigation | Unauthorised distributor |
| Country of Origin | China | No valid EU type-examination | Unapproved manufacturing standards |
| Hazard Type | Ignition source in explosive atmospheres | Confirmed by EU authorities | Can cause fatal explosions |
| Regulatory Actions | • EU-wide ban • Mandatory recall • Market withdrawal |
Effective since 18/03/2025 | Criminal penalties for non-compliance |
The CHERUBIM BCFT-300 fan was sold online via atex-supplies.com, claiming to be safe for Zones 1, 2, 21, and 22—yet it lacked genuine certification and could trigger explosions. This is part of a growing trend:
Falsified ATEX/IECEx certificates are being used to sell unsafe equipment.
Unregulated online marketplaces are flooded with hazardous products.
Cost-driven procurement leads to deadly compromises in safety.
Industry Warning: Rise of Counterfeit ATEX EquipmentRecent reports highlight a surge in fraudulent ATEX-certified products entering the market, including fake fans, lighting, and sensors. These products often
Demand Full Certification
Verify both electrical AND mechanical compliance
Check for BS EN 14986 on fans
Confirm ISO 80079 standards are met
Validate Through Official Channels
Cross-check certificates in EU NANDO database
Contact notified bodies directly
Beware of Red Flags
Prices significantly below market
Vague or incomplete documentation
Sellers avoiding technical questions
Report Suspicious Products
EU Safety Gate for European alerts
UK Trading Standards for British market
A concerning number of ATEX-certified products currently available do not meet essential safety standards. While some components within these products may carry individual certifications, the complete assemblies often lack proper testing and compliance.
Key Concerns:
Products marketed as ATEX-certified without meeting BS EN 14986:2017 requirements for mechanical safety
Incomplete compliance with ISO 80079-36 and -37 standards
Certificates that only validate electrical components, not full assemblies
Genuine risk of ignition when used in explosive atmospheres
The lower cost of non-compliant equipment represents a false economy, as these products may fail dangerously in hazardous environments. Responsible procurement requires thorough verification of all relevant certifications before purchase and use.
Specialist Distributors of Electrical Heating, Lighting, Power & Process Instrumentation Equipment with ATEX IECEx Certification and DSEAR Regulatory Compliance to deliver significant safety and reliability improvements in the Industrial, Explosive Atmosphere & Energy sectors. Based in the UK, we are highly customer responsive and absolutely committed to providing a world-class service.
Since 1985, we have provided expert technical support and express delivery from extensive UK stocks to worldwide destinations.
Hazardous Area Explosive Atmospheres
In environments where explosive atmospheres are a real risk, the use of compliant, genuine ATEX-certified equipment is critical—not only for operational safety but also for regulatory adherence. Unfortunately, fake ATEX products are increasingly entering global markets, putting lives, assets, and reputations at serious risk.
Below are five practical and experience-based checks you can carry out to verify the authenticity of ATEX-labelled equipment.
Start with the most accessible detail: the equipment label.
Ask yourself:
Does the text look professionally formatted?
Is all the expected information present and clearly spaced?
Is the ATEX coding (e.g., II 2 G Ex d IIC T6 Gb) accurate and legible?
Does the CE or UKCA marking look legitimate and correctly placed?
Poor-quality printing, missing details, and odd spacing are early warning signs. Falsely certified manufacturers often neglect small but crucial formatting standards.
Always verify the ATEX certification against the product details. A genuine certificate should:
Clearly match the model and product type
Be issued by a recognised Notified Body (EU) or UK Approved Body
Include verifiable certificate numbers
Use public databases or reach out directly to the issuing body to cross-check certifications. Any mismatch could indicate a forgery.
Many reputable manufacturers obtain dual certification—both ATEX and IECEx—to support global market access. While not mandatory, this adds credibility.
If a product claims both certifications:
Verify each independently
Ensure consistency across all certification numbers and product details
Absence of dual certification doesn’t necessarily mean a product is fake, but its presence, when valid, often reinforces authenticity.
Poor craftsmanship is often a hallmark of fake equipment.
Ask:
Does the build quality reflect its stated rating?
Are the materials and finishes consistent with hazardous area requirements?
Are there visible defects or signs of substandard manufacturing?
Inconsistent quality or a “cheap” feel should prompt further due diligence. If the physical product raises concerns, do not install it without rigorous verification.
Conduct a background check on the manufacturer:
Visit the company’s website. Does it reflect a legitimate operation that manufactures ATEX-compliant products?
Is there sufficient technical documentation, product data, or contact information?
Are there press releases, case studies, or recognisable industry affiliations?
Have they been referenced by trusted suppliers?
A lack of transparency or absence from trusted directories should raise suspicion. Always use multiple sources to confirm legitimacy.
The threat of fake ATEX equipment is real and growing. However, by applying these five practical checks, ranging from label scrutiny to manufacturer due diligence, you can mitigate the risks and maintain full compliance in explosive atmospheres.
Stay vigilant, stay compliant, and always verify.
Thorne & Derrick International are UK based and are the leading specialist distributors of LV, MV and HV cable accessories and tooling from 600V to 132kV complemented by an extensive range of hazardous area certified electrical equipment (ATEX and IECEx) to provide compliant, safe and optimised power, heating and lighting. Thorne and Derrick International supports critical infrastructure projects across power, utilities, rail, construction, oil & gas, marine, and process industries. With over 40 years of industry expertise, Thorne & Derrick International delivers trusted products, technical support, and tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of the energy and industrial process markets. Thorne & Derrick is committed to building future-ready capabilities through apprenticeship programmes that nurture talent, drive performance, and close the skills gap in our industry.
Published 13 Mar 2020
Press Release Date: 02.04.2020 uploaded by Chris Dodds (T&D Sales + Marketing Manager) World’s First Fully Certified ATEX Doors Thorne & Derrick International, the Experts in Equipment for Explosive Atmospheres, today announce the signing of a Commercial Distribution Agreement...
Published 04 Jul 2019
Press Release Date: 04.07.2019 uploaded by Chris Dodds (T&D Sales + Marketing Manager) Category: Stockist Distributor Agreement Announcement Thorne & Derrick International announce that they have signed a Preferred Distributor Agreement with Raytec, the world leading manufacturer of LED...
