An industrial beacon gives people a visible warning or status signal in places where ordinary indicators may be hard to see. The colour, flash pattern, mounting position and sounder arrangement should communicate a clear condition without creating confusion.
In hazardous areas, the beacon must also be approved for the classified atmosphere. Treat the beacon, sounder, junction box, cable glands and control circuit as part of the complete installation.
Daly Middle East supplies signalling and hazardous-area equipment for industrial and offshore projects. Use this guide to turn a general beacon request into a clear specification. This industrial beacon guide keeps the selection process focused on documented application requirements.
Industrial beacon: Beacon versus status light
A beacon is normally used to attract attention through a flash, rotation or high-contrast signal. A status light may show a steady equipment state. The distinction should be defined in the alarm philosophy so a worker can understand the signal before reading a panel.
Use a consistent colour and pattern convention across the site. Do not assign colours casually if the facility already has an approved fire, gas, process or emergency-signalling standard.
- Alarm or status purpose
- Colour convention
- Flash or steady operation
- Required visibility distance
- Ambient light and glare
- Sounder or voice-warning integration
Hazardous-area selection
Confirm the zone, gas or dust group, temperature class and ambient range. A beacon installed on an offshore platform may also need corrosion resistance, high ingress protection, vibration resistance and a mounting system that remains secure in wind and spray.
The certificate should identify the approved configuration and electrical limits. Check whether the lens, guard, sounder and mounting accessory are included in the approval.
Installation and alarm visibility
Place the beacon where the intended audience can see it from the approach routes, work areas and access points. Avoid installing it behind pipework, inside a glare path or at a height that makes the signal difficult to interpret.
Daly’s beacon colour guide provides a general introduction. For a project selection, send the alarm philosophy and site layout through the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What colour should an industrial beacon be?
Use the colour convention approved by the site or project. Colour meaning varies by application, so do not invent a new convention.
Can a beacon and sounder be combined?
Yes, combined units are common where both visual and audible warning are required, subject to the certified configuration.
Do industrial beacons need ATEX certification?
They do when installed in a classified hazardous area and must match the zone and atmosphere.
Further reading
Need help choosing the right equipment for your project? Contact Daly Middle East with your application details, required certification and delivery location.