LED Vapor Proof Lights

What are LED Vapor Tight Lights?

LED Lighting Supply vapor-tight light fixtures feature sealed housings engineered for corrosive and wet environments. When moisture, steam, or chemical vapors threaten lighting components, these fixtures protect internal electronics with precision-engineered gasket systems and IP65 wet location ratings.

Our vapor-proof lighting handles both indoor harsh environments and outdoor applications. Motion sensor-equipped options detect activity, ramp to full brightness instantly, and dim after preset intervals when areas clear. The sealed design prevents component degradation that would otherwise shorten fixture lifespan in challenging environments.

What are the Benefits of Using Vapor-Proof Light Fixtures?

• Sealed to the outside elements: Advanced gasket systems block moisture, chemicals, and corrosive vapors from entering the fixture. Prevents internal component damage and costly repairs.
• Energy efficient: Delivers 50-70% energy savings over traditional lighting, depending on model. High-efficiency LEDs convert more electricity into usable light, reducing power usage across large facilities.
• High Quality Light Source: Precision LED arrays produce stable color rendering and uniform light distribution. Unlike fluorescents that flicker or shift color in damp locations, LEDs maintain consistent performance in all conditions.
• Low maintenance: Solid-state LED design eliminates bulb and ballast replacements. Components resist vibration and temperature changes, reducing maintenance labor and downtime.
• Reliable Performance: Rated lifespans exceeding 50,000 hours ensure fixtures retain at least 70% of their brightness after years of continuous use, supporting safety compliance in industrial environments when properly specified.
• Instant on: Reaches full brightness in milliseconds, even in freezing temperatures where fluorescent lamps struggle to ignite.
• Fast ROI: Energy and maintenance savings typically recover fixture cost within 18-24 months, subject to site conditions.

The U.S. Department of Energy's research confirms that LED technology can provide substantial energy savings over conventional lighting technologies, particularly in industrial and harsh environment applications. DOE's LED lighting efficiency studies demonstrate that LEDs use at least 75% less energy and last 25 times longer than metal halide lighting, making them suitable for facilities requiring continuous operation in challenging environments when properly specified.

Best Applications

• Industrial Facilities: Manufacturing plants face extreme dust, chemical vapors, and frequent washdown cycles. These sealed fixtures survive harsh conditions that destroy standard lighting within months when properly specified.
• Food Processing Plants: NSF-certified construction meets strict sanitation codes and endures aggressive washdowns, steam exposure, and chemical cleaning without compromising food safety per listed certifications.
• Cold Storage Facilities: Sub-zero temperatures and ammonia exposure challenge most lighting systems. These fixtures maintain full brightness and reliable starting performance when fluorescents fail.
• Parking Garages: Moisture, vehicle exhaust, and corrosive gases degrade standard fixtures quickly. Integrated motion sensor options improve security and cut energy usage by up to 90%, depending on the model.
• Car Washes: Direct water spray, soap contact, and constant humidity demand fully sealed housings. IP65 protection ensures long-term operation through thousands of wash cycles when properly installed.
• Barns and Stables: High dust levels, airborne debris, and livestock moisture threaten electronic components. Sealed housings prevent particle infiltration and premature failure.
• Marinas and Boat Docks: Saltwater exposure corrodes standard lighting rapidly. Marine-grade coatings and sealed construction provide years of reliable performance in coastal environments when properly specified.
• Tunnels and Subways: Underground moisture, vibration, and vehicle exhaust require reinforced, sealed fixtures that maintain visibility essential for transportation safety.
• Swimming Pools & Natatoriums: Chlorine-rich atmospheres destroy unprotected fixtures. Specialized sealing and corrosion-resistant materials prevent chemical intrusion and withstand extreme humidity.
• Shopping Centers: Dust-resistant housings maintain reliable output while delivering retail-appropriate illumination that enhances customer experience and safety.

What LED Vapor Proof Light Is Best for You?

• 4 Foot LED Vapor Proof Lights: Direct replacements for standard fluorescent vapor-tight fixtures, offering multiple wattage options and surface-mount configurations for versatile installation needs.
• 8 Foot LED Vapor Proof Lights: Engineered to replace long T12 fluorescent systems, providing superior coverage for expansive industrial spaces with fewer fixtures required.
• Jelly Jar Vapor Tight: Classic, compact design with wall, ceiling, and pendant mounting options. Suitable for areas needing a traditional appearance with modern LED performance when properly specified.
• Hazardous-Location Vapor Proof Lights: UL844 certified for explosive or flammable environments. These fixtures are engineered for Class-rated hazardous locations and must not be replaced with standard vapor-tight units.
• Wattage Adjustable Vapor Proof Lighting: Onboard toggle switches allow field-adjustable wattage and lumen output, enabling precise customization without changing fixtures.
• Color Adjustable Vapor Tight Lights: Selectable color temperatures - typically 3500K, 4000K, and 5000K - let you match warm, neutral, or cool lighting requirements for different environments.
• Vapor Proof Lights with Emergency Backup: Integrated emergency battery packs provide up to 90 minutes of illumination during power outages, ensuring safety compliance and uninterrupted operation depending on the model.

For hazardous location applications, it's essential to understand proper classification requirements. The National Electrical Code (NEC) defines specific standards for electrical equipment used in areas where flammable gases, vapors, or combustible dusts may be present. OSHA's hazardous location safety standards require that all electrical equipment, including lighting fixtures, be properly certified and listed for the specific hazardous location classification where they will be installed.

How Many LED Vapor-Proof Lights Do You Need?

Proper fixture quantity depends on specific application requirements and space characteristics. We recommend starting with professional lighting calculations that consider required foot candle levels for your application, space function, visual task requirements, and room dimensions and mounting height constraints.

Professional lighting plans provide optimal fixture selection, precise quantity calculations, strategic positioning, and uniformity ratios that ensure balanced illumination with average foot-candle calculations before installation begins.

The Illuminating Engineering Society provides industry-recognized guidelines for appropriate illumination levels across different application types. IES recommended practices for industrial and warehouse lighting establish minimum light levels and uniformity requirements that ensure worker safety and productivity while meeting regulatory compliance standards for different work environments.

Based on our experience, here are the general power requirements by ceiling height. Higher ceilings, dark surfaces, or spaces lacking natural light may require additional fixtures or higher wattages:

• 8 - 12 feet: 50-100 watts LED delivering 10,000-15,000 lumens
• 12 - 20 feet: 100-150 watts LED producing 15,000-22,500 lumens

Fixture spacing guidelines for optimal uniformity:

• 8 feet ceiling height: 8-10 feet spacing between fixtures
• 10 feet ceiling height: 10-12 feet fixture intervals
• 15 feet ceiling height: 15-18 feet between mounting points
• 20 feet ceiling height: 18-20 feet fixture spacing

Safety and Performance Certifications

All our fixtures carry essential certifications, including DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals. These certifications ensure safety, performance, and energy efficiency while qualifying your project for utility rebates and tax incentives. DLC Premium certification guarantees the highest efficiency standards and maximum rebate eligibility.

Safety testing and certification standards ensure that lighting fixtures meet rigorous performance requirements for industrial applications. Design Lights Consortium (DLC) qualification standards verify energy efficiency performance and qualify products for utility rebate programs, while UL's safety testing protocols ensure fixtures meet strict electrical safety and performance standards for harsh environment applications.

5-Year Warranty and Support

All our lights come with a minimum 5-year warranty, and all warranty support is provided in the USA. We take customer support seriously, and helping you with a warranty claim is important to us. Our experienced support team understands the importance of keeping your lighting operational and will work quickly to resolve any warranty issues.

Why Choose LED Lighting Supply for Your Vapor-Proof Lighting

Our 15+ years of commercial lighting expertise enable us to understand vapor-tight applications better than most general suppliers. We stock only premium fixtures that have proven their durability in demanding industrial environments through rigorous field testing. Our experienced product specialists provide precise energy savings calculations, showing your exact costs and payback timelines before you make a purchase.

When you need technical guidance on fixture selection, performance requirements, or environmental considerations, our team provides detailed answers based on real-world project experience. We also offer complimentary custom lighting plans that calculate optimal fixture placement, uniformity ratios, and foot-candle levels for your specific facility. Our DLC Premium certified inventory qualifies for maximum utility rebates, and we maintain extensive stock levels to ensure immediate shipping on large orders when your project timeline demands it. For questions, contact us by phone to discuss your specific application needs.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Installing regular vapor tight fixtures in hazardous locations: You need UL844 explosion-proof units for any Class I area with flammable vapors, not standard IP65 fixtures.
• Using the wrong gasket material for chemical exposure: Nitrile gaskets fail fast in ammonia environments, and standard EPDM won't handle aggressive cleaners in food plants.
• Skipping structural support calculations for heavy LED fixtures: These weigh 3-4 times more than the old fluorescent fixtures and will pull ceiling anchors right out.
• Connecting motion sensors in production areas that need constant light: Workers can't wait 30 seconds for the lights to come back on when they're running machinery.
• Reusing old gaskets during maintenance calls: Generic replacement gaskets from the hardware store won't maintain the IP rating and void your warranty.
• Installing fixtures without checking emergency lighting requirements: Exit routes and egress areas usually need battery backup units, whether you think about it or not.
• Mixing incompatible dimming controls with the LED drivers: 0-10V fixtures won't work on phase-cut dimmers, and you'll get flickering or complete failure.

LED Vapor Proof Lights Frequently Asked Questions

What are LED vapor tight lights and how do they work?

LED vapor tight lights feature completely sealed housings with precision-engineered gasket systems and IP65 wet location ratings that protect internal electronics from moisture, steam, and chemical vapors.

What environments require vapor proof lighting?

Use vapor proof lighting in washdown areas, food processing plants, cold storage facilities, parking garages, car washes, barns, marinas, tunnels, and swimming pools where moisture, chemicals, or corrosive conditions are present.

What is the difference between vapor tight and explosion proof lights?

Standard vapor tight fixtures carry IP65 ratings for wet and corrosive environments, while explosion proof lights require UL844 certification for Class I areas with flammable vapors - never substitute standard vapor tight fixtures in hazardous locations.

What certifications should I look for in vapor proof LED fixtures?

Look for DLC Premium, UL Listed, and ETL Listed approvals for safety and rebate eligibility. NSF certification is required for food processing plants, and UL844 certification is required for hazardous locations.

How much energy can I save by switching to LED vapor tight lights?

LED vapor tight fixtures deliver 50-70% energy savings over traditional lighting depending on model, with motion sensor options cutting energy usage by up to 90% in intermittent-use areas.

What wattage vapor tight light do I need for my ceiling height?

For 8-12 foot ceilings, use 50-100 watts delivering 10,000-15,000 lumens. For 12-20 foot ceilings, use 100-150 watts producing 15,000-22,500 lumens. Verify with a photometric plan for optimal uniformity.

How long do LED vapor proof lights last?

Rated lifespans exceed 50,000 hours, ensuring fixtures retain at least 70% of their brightness after years of continuous use when properly specified.

Do vapor tight LED lights work in cold storage and freezer applications?

Yes - these fixtures maintain full brightness and reliable starting performance in sub-zero temperatures and ammonia exposure where fluorescent lamps fail.

What mounting options are available for vapor proof lights?

4-foot and 8-foot models offer surface-mount configurations, while jelly jar fixtures provide wall, ceiling, and pendant mounting options.

Are vapor tight lights suitable for food processing facilities?

NSF-certified models meet strict sanitation codes and endure aggressive washdowns, steam exposure, and chemical cleaning - confirm certification covers your specific sanitation requirements.

What is the IP65 rating on vapor proof lights?

IP65 protection means the fixture is sealed against dust ingress and protected against water jets from any direction, making it suitable for wet locations and washdown areas.

Can I get vapor tight lights with motion sensors?

Yes - motion sensor options automatically detect activity, ramping to full brightness instantly and dimming after preset intervals when areas clear. Avoid motion sensors in production areas requiring constant illumination.

Do you offer vapor proof lights with emergency backup?

Yes - integrated emergency battery packs provide up to 90 minutes of illumination during power outages depending on model. Verify backup time meets code requirements for exit routes and egress areas.

What is the warranty on your vapor tight LED fixtures?

All fixtures include a minimum 5-year warranty with USA-based support.

How do I calculate how many vapor proof lights I need?

Match fixture spacing to ceiling height: 8-10 feet spacing at 8-foot ceilings, increasing to 18-20 feet spacing at 20-foot ceilings. Professional lighting plans provide precise quantity calculations and uniformity ratios.

What color temperatures are available in vapor tight lights?

Color adjustable models offer selectable temperatures - 3500K, 4000K, and 5000K - to match warm, neutral, or cool lighting requirements for different environments.

Are your vapor proof lights DLC listed for utility rebates?

Yes - DLC Premium certification qualifies fixtures for maximum utility rebate programs while guaranteeing the highest efficiency standards.

What is the typical ROI for upgrading to LED vapor tight lights?

Energy and maintenance savings recover fixture cost within 18-24 months subject to site conditions.

Can vapor tight lights be dimmed?

Yes - 0-10V dimming is available. Do not connect 0-10V fixtures to phase-cut dimmers without driver changes or you will get flickering or complete failure.

What mistakes should I avoid when selecting vapor proof lighting?

Never use standard IP65 fixtures in Class I hazardous locations requiring UL844 certification. Verify gasket material compatibility for your chemical exposure - standard EPDM fails with aggressive cleaners or ammonia. Confirm structural support capacity since LED fixtures weigh 3-4 times more than fluorescent predecessors.