High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting is known to be one of the greatest sources of ignition in commercial establishments. Often used in warehouses, storage facilities and cannabis grow rooms, HID lamps feature sealed, gas-filled arc tubes surrounded by an outer glass or bulb.

This internal quartz arc tub heats to temperatures exceeding 2000°F (1100°C), creating the chance for it to ignite in flames. A fire hazard is present when a light bulb deteriorates and explodes, dropping heated shards of glass and the internal quartz arc tub onto nearby combustible materials.

As the most popular choice for grow lights in cannabis operations due to their low set up cost, HID lights pose a serious challenge to safety in the cannabis production plant.

Minimizing HID fire risk

If your cannabis operation utilizes HID lamps, there are a few ways to minimize your risk. Consider the following best practices when using HID lamps.  

  1. Carve out 15 minutes of shut-off time for lamps in continuous operation – daily.
  2. Group re-lamping will simplify lamp replacement recordkeeping.
  3. Protect lamps from excessive vibration and direct contact with water and ice, thereby minimizing external damage.
  4. Station lamps in the center of aisles instead of over rack storage.
  5. If the outer glass bulb is broken, shut off power immediately, allow the bulb to cool and replace the bulb.
  6. If current lamps do not have internal containment or the package indicates they should be installed in suitably enclosed fixtures, install tempered glass containment barriers, lenses, diffusers or enclosures.

Avoiding HID fire risk

Cannabis operations that want to totally avoid this risk can replace their HID lighting system with T5 or T8 fluorescent or LED lighting systems. In addition to minimizing risk of explosion, these systems are more energy efficient than HID systems, with rebate programs available for energy conservation from local or state utilities.

Replace Type S lamps with Type O lamps, used in open fixtures are also recommended to reduce risk. Type S lamps are ideal for open fixtures, but don’t meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) criteria and are used in vertical position only. Type O lamps meet ANSI criteria, and do not require shut-off and are recommended by most authorities.

These, and other best practices, can help your cannabis business avoid HID fire risk.

Contact your HUB Cannabis expert for more information on reducing and transferring your risk of daily operations.