By Kolby Ashby

Enhancing Oil Refinery Safety with TOMAR's Industrial Lighting & Signaling Systems

Oil refineries operate in some of the most hazardous industrial environments on the planet. From flammable gases to high-pressure systems and corrosive chemicals, these facilities present complex safety challenges that require robust, reliable signaling and lighting systems.

TOMAR Electronics provides industrial-grade signaling and illumination solutions specifically engineered for these demanding conditions. Whether deployed on loading docks, refining units, control rooms, or tank farms, TOMAR’s products serve as critical components in refinery safety systems—alerting personnel, preventing accidents, and ensuring operations continue safely and efficiently.

Engineering Integration Across Safety Systems

TOMAR’s signaling products are versatile enough to be integrated across a range of engineering disciplines, including:

Electrical and Instrumentation
Fire and Gas Safety Systems
Process Automation
Communications and Control

Products like the 7024BEP, 3200BEP, and CID1 LED lights simplify system design and documentation across refinery safety protocols. Their UL, CSA, and ATEX certifications ensure compliance with OSHA, NFPA, and IEC standards—while their rugged construction guarantees performance when it matters most.

Signaling Starts with Hazard Detection

At the heart of any refinery’s safety system is the ability to detect danger and respond immediately. TOMAR’s visual and audible signals are typically triggered by outputs from alarm panels, which are connected to sensors monitoring hazards such as:

Fire or heat detection
Gas leaks or hydrocarbon levels
Ruptured pipelines
Unsafe pressure conditions
Irregular flow rates
High or low tank levels

When these thresholds are breached, TOMAR’s audible and visual warning systems are activated to ensure personnel are alerted immediately, even in noisy or visually chaotic environments.

Localized Audible Alerts for Subsystems

Smaller zones within a refinery—like a lubrication plant, tar processing unit, or standalone gas detection area—require compact, powerful signaling.

TOMAR’s 1002WEP unit, a self-contained, explosion-proof audible alarm, is commonly used in these settings. It provides distinct, high-decibel tones that can be differentiated from normal operational noise.

For outdoor areas with high ambient sound levels, multiple 1002WEP units can be installed with varying tones, ensuring unmistakable alerts even when heavy machinery is operating nearby.

Visual Signals for High-Noise Zones

In areas where noise levels exceed safe hearing thresholds or where hearing protection is mandatory, visual signaling becomes essential. TOMAR’s explosion-proof strobes serve as visual cues in tandem with audible alarms—ensuring redundancy and reliability.

Products like the Microstrobe® and MicroLERT are deployed on control panels and along process lines. For hazardous and classified zones, TOMAR offers hazardous area-rated versions of both products, providing safe signaling without risking ignition in volatile atmospheres.

For classified or explosion-prone environments, TOMAR offers Class I, Division 1 and 2 (CID1/CID2) certified versions, fully sealed and NEMA 4X rated to resist corrosion and explosive atmospheres.

Command Center and Control Room Integration

Refinery operations are coordinated from centralized command centers, where real-time alerts must be easy to interpret and prioritize. TOMAR’s Microstrobe and MicroLERT devices are ideally suited for control panel mounting, offering quick visual feedback to operators monitoring safety systems.

This localized signaling supports faster response times and ensures that emergency protocols can be enacted without delay when critical thresholds are breached.

Command Center and Control Room Integration

Safety at the Dock: Preventing Loading Accidents

Loading docks and transfer points are critical areas in any refinery—where flammable liquids, gases, or hazardous materials are transferred between storage tanks and transport vehicles. These zones are prone to spills, ruptures, and mishandling accidents.

TOMAR’s 1002WEP and CID1-rated strobes, like the 7120BEP and 3200BEP, are frequently used in these areas to deliver unmistakable auditory and visual warnings during:

Emergency stops
Hose disconnects
Material overflow
Truck or rail-car misalignment

Clear signaling reduces the risk of injury, environmental contamination, and equipment damage.

Safety at the Dock: Preventing Loading Accidents

Explosion-Proof LED Illumination That Lasts

Lighting plays a critical role in ensuring refinery personnel can operate safely—especially during night shifts or emergency situations. However, many LED luminaires fail prematurely in high-temperature, high-corrosion environments common in refineries.

TOMAR’s explosion-proof lighting solutions, such as:

These lights deliver reliable performance in high-temperature, high-corrosion, and hazardous environments. The 7000 Series is ideal for tank farms and perimeter security lighting, while the 3000 Series provides efficient lighting for service platforms and walkways.

Engineered Safety for Oil Refining Operations

Oil refineries cannot afford to compromise when it comes to safety. With volatile materials, complex processes, and the ever-present risk of fire or explosion, every second and every signal matters.

TOMAR Electronics delivers a comprehensive range of audible and visual signaling solutions are built specifically for the demands of refinery operations. Whether you’re upgrading alarm systems, reinforcing dock safety, or improving visibility in classified areas, TOMAR’s products ensure you’re not just meeting safety codes—you’re exceeding them.

When lives, assets, and uptime are on the line, TOMAR provides the clarity, durability, and performance that today’s oil refineries demand.

Engineered Safety for Oil Refining Operations

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