Leading manufacturer of luminaires Beka Schréder deems its luminaires as the best fit for zoned environments, such as oil refineries.

“All products produced by Beka Schréder are locally manufactured in Olifantsfontein, Gauteng, and developed specifically to withstand South Africa’s harsh environmental conditions and meet customers’ desired applications,” states Beka Schréder petrochemicals and liquified natural gas technical sales representative Saylen Govender.

The company’s “state-of-the-art luminaires” continue to be exported to sub-Saharan Africa, as well as Canada, Australia and Chile, and are specifically manufactured to the respective conditions, adds Beka Schréder industrial branch manager Phillip Vermeulen.

Beka Schréder offers a high-quality light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires range which is suitable for zoned environments and was involved in various LED projects including integrated energy company Sasol’s Secunda and Sasolberg refineries, as well as high-quality fermentation alcohol producer AlcoNCP, where these luminaires have proven successful.

The luminaires have an IP66 and with a high IK rating, and are also ISO90001 and ISO14001 compliant.

Certain industrial environments are classified into Zones, according to their risk of flammability, which are Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 21/22. Zone 1 and 2 are for explosive gases, and Zone 21/22 for explosive dust. Accordingly, electrical equipment needs to be verified for these specific zoned areas where the luminaires get installed.

One of the luminaires fir for these zones, which can be Electrocoated, or E-coated, to suit highly corrosive areas is the LEDNOVA. It is a robust LED bulkhead which is available in 24W to 77W (3271 to 11312 lumens) and available in Zone 2 and 21/22.

Owing to the increase in electricity costs, Beka Schréder has found a way of making its VAPOURLINE luminaire fit the current economic status in South Africa. The luminaire is a full polycarbonate of 1.2 m to 1.5 m linear luminaire which replaces the standard 2 by 36 W and 2 by 58 W with an LED strip. This results in the power consumption of the VAPOURLINE being only 30 W and 46 W. This luminaire is available in Zone 2 and21/ 22 and an emergency version.

The OMNISTAR-MIDI is a floodlight used for general-area plant lighting. It is a luminaire that encompasses a combination of performance and versatility. The OMNISTAR-MIDI is available between 136W to 226W in Zone 2 and 21/22 and an emergency version.

Further, “the best solution on the market for low and high-bay applications is the LEDBAY,” says Govender, noting that the efficient and lightweight luminaire provides a comfortable environment while limiting energy consumption which is available in Zone 2, Zone 21/22 and an emergency version.

The BEKABULK is designed for industrial lighting applications where efficiency, vandal resistance and mechanical reliability are essential. It is an industrial bulkhead luminaire best suited to explosive areas –available in Zone 1 and 21/22.

Govender says the luminaires have a high reliability and long lifespan.

“A customer would employ high energy savings, owing to the LED technology; we produce quality products at competitive prices, which are manufactured with aftersales support,” he adds.

Vermeulen adds that the products’ body construction and material used for the luminaires ensure continuous heat dissipation which enables the heat to transfer from the luminaire to the ambient area. Electronic temperature monitoring systems prevent the overheating of LEDs.

Further, the luminaires are guaranteed a 100 000-hour lifespan, a five-year warranty and a colour-rendering index of 70 or higher. This means that the luminaires reveal the colours of various objects faithfully in comparison with a natural or standard light source.

Govender adds that optimised light distributions have been installed in the luminaires through the latest LensoFlex optical technology to avoid light pollution and glare. Further, the great variety of high-performance optics optimises the photometric distribution for each specific application to achieve minimum energy consumption.

The luminaires are also FutureProof which means that they can be upgraded with only the internal components to meet the latest technological criteria.

“Customers should be aware of selecting a wattage based on an LED equivalent to the old high-intensity discharge (HID) technology due to LED’s containing optics which determine the light distribution, affecting the lux level results” says Beka Schréder technical sales representative David Fitzpatrick.

Research plays a vital role in their manufacturing process he notes, adding that “Beka Schréder continuously employs technology, research and development improvements through global facilities”.

“Beka Schréder’s circular lighting supports sustainability initiatives by being able to maintain the luminaire throughout its useable lifespan, as well as reducing the negative impact on the environment by valorisingthe flow of all materials” says Govender.

Beka Schréder offers lighting designs and lighting surveys to ensure the end user receives a cost efficient luminaire based on specific requirements which are also occupational, safety and health administrated and system administered, networked and security compliant.