Hadar Lighting – Hazardous Area ATEX Lighting Safety Alert

Published 10 Feb 2016

Hadar Lighting - Hazardous Area Lighting Safety Alert, February 2017

Hadar Lighting – Hazardous Area Lighting Safety Alert, February 2017

Hadar Lighting

  • The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect the views of T&D.

Thorne & Derrick, The Explosive Atmosphere Experts, have a professional duty of care to customers protecting their workers and their plant against the potentially explosive effects of sub-standard or under-specified hazardous area equipment, including lighting.

Recently, serious misgivings with respect to the ATEX hazardous area certification and testing of Hadar Lighting products have emerged triggering a frenzy of social media rumour-mongering, back biting and some untruths.

In this post, we reproduce the unquestionable findings and conclusions of the recent HSE Safety Alert in full – we identify the potentially life threatening lights and highlight the action points for sites utilising defective Hadar Lighting luminaires.

Department Name: Field Operations Directorate

Bulletin No: FOD 1-2017

Issue Date: 10th January  2017

Target Audience: Users of Hadar ATEX hazardous area lighting equipment manufactured by A-Belco Group

Key Issues: This Safety Alert informs end users of potential compliance and safety concerns with certain Hadar Lighting Luminaire Products

the Issue

“these luminaires may present a source of ignition that could result in a fire or explosion when used in potentially flammable atmospheres….” 

This alert is aimed at those using Hadar HDL100, HDL106, HDL 206 or HDL109 series of luminaires, part of the Hadar ATEX range of hazardous area lighting products.

These lighting products were manufactured by the Hadar Division of the A-Belco Group during the period 2006 – 2016 and are intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Testing of sample products by a Notified Body has identified that they do not meet the required standards for impact resistance and ingress protection or the Essential Health and Safety Requirements of the ATEX Directives (94/9/EC and its replacement 2014/34/EU) based upon the temperature ranges communicated for this range of light fittings.

As such they are not considered to comply with the Directive (or the UK implementing Regulations “The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996” (SI 1996-192).

Consequently, these luminaires may present a source of ignition that could result in a fire or explosion when used in potentially flammable atmospheres identified under the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). They may also fail to operate safely or effectively when used in wet or dirty environments.

Action required

Where Hadar HDL100, HDL106, HDL206 and HDL109 luminaires are installed in accordance with hazardous zonesBS EN 60079-17 - 2014 Hazardous Area Lighting identified by a DSEAR risk assessment, it is recommended that an inspection in accordance with BS EN 60079-17 is completed. Particular attention should be paid to the following:

  1. Signs of moisture or condensation within the housing beyond allowable limits of the standard.
  2. Defects in the outer cover, for example; deformation, cracking, crazing or degradation.

It is recommended that any defective luminaires be replaced with products conforming to the requirements of the ATEX Directive and with the required level of protection for the hazardous zone identified under DSEAR.  Non-defective luminaires should continue to be regularly inspected and maintained in accordance with BS EN 60079-17 to ensure they are safe for continued use.

  • BS EN 60079-17:2014 Explosive Atmospheres. Hazardous Area Electrical Installations, Inspection & Maintenance

For areas not classified as hazardous by a DSEAR risk assessment, where luminaires have been selected as a result of their ingress protection rating and/or provide a safety function, they should be inspected, paying particular attention to points a. and b. above and an assessment made as to whether they are safe for continued use.

Relevant legal documents

The relevant legal requirements are:

  1. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
  2. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
  3. Dangerous Substances & Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (download below)
  4. The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996
  5. (Note: the 1996 Regulations have been replaced by The Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016, which implement the 2014 ATEX Directive; these Regulations apply to products supplied on or after 8 December 2016)

Hazardous Area Lighting

The Lights Go Out At Hadar

Hadar Lighting

The factory gates were locked one last time at Hadar Lighting in November 2016 as efforts to rescue the struggling firm faltered amidst piling debts, market downturns and alleged “self-inflicted” problems.

A statement from Deloitte said: “A-Belco Ltd assembles lighting and electrical contracting products and its divisions include – Hadar Lighting, A-Belco Hazardous Area, Electrical Engineering and Industrial Connectors.

“The Company has suffered from its exposure to the Oil and Gas industry and was looking to raise external finance as part of its turnaround strategy but wasn’t successful.”

Hadar

50 jobs lost as Hadar Lighting enters administration. Image: Evening Chronicle.

Hadar had developed an extensive range of LED and other Ex hazardous area lighting products, including Zone 1 and 21, Zone 2 and 22 – accolades included winning the 2014 North East Exporter of the Year Award for developing lighting solutions for hazardous areas which have a high risk of ignition such as oil rigs, offshore gas platforms, petrochemical refineries and distilleries.

The defective hazardous area lights

Hadar HDL100➡ More info: Hadar HDL100 – Zone 1 ATEX Lighting Fluorescent Luminaire

Hadar HDL106

➡ More info: Hadar HDL106 – Zone 1 ATEX LED Floodlight

Hadar HDL109
➡ More info: Hadar HDL109 – Zone 1 ATEX Bulkhead Fluorescent

Hazardous Area Lighting
Time To Rethink & Respecify?

We can help.

Should you require any technical support or specification guidance on selecting replacements for existing Hadar Lighting products or new hazardous area lighting projects please do not hesitate to contact T&D – as former distributors for Hadar Lighting we are familiar with their product range and can provide alternative ATEX certified lighting systems.

Zone 2 Hazardous Area Lighting

T&D have made every effort to contact their clients who have previously purchased the Hadar light fittings in question, however if you are concerned about the safety of your hazardous area lighting please feel free to contact us regardless of where and when you purchased the items from and we will be happy to help.

Final Words

“12 months ago 4 individuals that worked for A-Belco resigned on the spot due to serious safety concerns with the Hadar products. All 4 were treated in a disgusting manner by the senior management, branded as liars and trouble makers and slandered in front of ex-colleagues, customers, suppliers and friends. Off the back of these resignations the HSE began an investigation into the practices at A-Belco, all 4 have today been fully vindicated in their actions and proved correct. Many of you will have seen press outlining the demise of A-Belco and Hadar lighting – now the truth is out, those involved and 1 person specifically should be ashamed of his actions and words.”

  • LinkedIn Post, 6th February 2017 by Tony Oram – Technical Director LED Lighting, former Hadar Lighting LED Product Manager (Aug 2014 – April 20116)

LinkedIn

Hazardous Area Equipment

Thorne & Derrick international
Hazardous Area Equipment Distributors

All T&D Sales Engineers hold CompEx Certificates (Hazardous Awareness Course EX F) and undertake advanced and ongoing Explosion Protection training with suppliers – we can be safely trusted to specify and supply Electrical, Mechanical, Process & Instrumentation Equipment for use in hazardous areas 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.

T&D supply utilities, power, renewable energy, construction, rail, manufacturing, food/beverage, mining, oil, gas and petrochemical industries – distributing 100,000+ products from 100+ manufacturers from multi-million pound stocks.

Since 1985 we have established a solid reputation based on service, integrity and trust.

Hazardous Area Lighting

Further Reading