Explosion Proof Cameras for
Pharma & Food Processing
Pharmaceutical manufacturing and food & beverage processing facilities handle volatile solvents, flammable cleaning agents, and combustible dust that create classified hazardous areas. Spectrum's certified explosion-proof cameras provide compliant visual monitoring without introducing ignition risk.
Hazardous Areas in
Pharma & Food Facilities
Pharmaceutical manufacturing involves solvents, alcohols, and other flammable chemicals used in synthesis, extraction, coating, and cleaning processes. Many of these areas are classified as Class I Division 1 or Zone 1 under applicable standards — requiring explosion-proof equipment for any electrical installation, including cameras.
Food and beverage processing presents a different but equally serious hazard: combustible dust. Flour, sugar, starch, dried milk, and other fine particulates generated during processing, conveying, and packaging can create Class II or Zone 21/22 classified environments where dust-ignition-proof equipment is required.
A single facility may contain both types of classified areas — solvent-handling zones in production and dust-generating areas in packaging or material handling — each requiring equipment certified for its specific classification.
Typical Classified Areas
- Solvent storage and handling rooms
- Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) synthesis areas
- Extraction and purification processes
- Coating and spray drying operations
- Chemical cleaning and CIP areas
- Flour, grain, and starch milling areas
- Sugar and confectionery processing
- Spray drying towers
- Dust collection and conveying systems
- Fermentation with flammable gas generation
Area classification is determined by the facility's process safety team based on specific chemicals, process conditions, and applicable standards. Contact Spectrum with your classification data for product recommendations.
Where Cameras Are Deployed
in Pharma & Food Facilities
Explosion-proof cameras enable visual monitoring of classified process areas, storage zones, and production lines where continuous oversight is required but human access must be minimized for safety or contamination control reasons.
Solvent & Chemical Process Areas
Monitoring of pharmaceutical synthesis, extraction, and solvent handling areas classified as Class I Division 1 or Zone 1. Provides remote visual access without requiring personnel to enter classified zones during process operations.
Dust-Generating Processing Areas
Surveillance of milling, grinding, mixing, and conveying operations in food processing where combustible dust creates Class II or Zone 21/22 classified environments. Cameras monitor conveyor systems, transfer points, and dust collection areas.
Spray Drying & Coating
Visual monitoring of spray dryers and coating operations used in both pharmaceutical and food processing. These processes generate both solvent vapors and fine powder dust, creating complex multi-hazard classified areas.
Storage & Warehouse Areas
Monitoring of solvent storage rooms, chemical warehouses, and raw material storage areas where classified hazardous areas extend beyond active production zones. Supports inventory management and safety compliance.
GMP & Regulatory Compliance
Video monitoring supporting Good Manufacturing Practice documentation, batch record integrity, and regulatory inspections. Certified cameras satisfy equipment requirements in classified areas under FDA, EMA, and other applicable regulatory frameworks.
Cleaning & Changeover Monitoring
Visual documentation of cleaning-in-place (CIP), cleaning-out-of-place (COP), and product changeover operations in areas where cleaning agents create temporary classified conditions.
What Certified Cameras Enable
in Pharma & Food Operations
Reduced Personnel Exposure
Remote visual monitoring eliminates routine entry into classified solvent areas and dusty processing zones. Particularly valuable in facilities where both safety and contamination control restrict access to production areas.
Regulatory & GMP Documentation
Certified cameras satisfy area classification equipment requirements under OSHA, NEC, ATEX, and IECEx. Video records support GMP batch documentation, cleaning verification, and regulatory inspection readiness.
Process Oversight
Continuous visual monitoring of critical process steps — mixing, coating, drying, and filling operations — supports quality assurance and enables early detection of process deviations before they affect product or safety.
Dual Classification Coverage
Spectrum cameras certified for Class I (gas/vapor) and applicable to Class II (dust) classified areas allow consistent equipment specification across a facility with multiple hazard types — simplifying procurement and maintenance.
Camera Series for
Pharma & Food Applications
D-Series — Dome Cameras
Low-profile dome cameras for installation in process rooms, production areas, and cleanroom-adjacent classified zones. Compact design minimizes disruption to process equipment layout and cleaning procedures.
- Class I Division 1 & 2 certified
- Compact low-profile housing
- Marine-grade aluminum construction
F-Series — Fixed Cameras
Fixed cameras for dedicated monitoring of specific equipment, access points, and classified storage areas. Lightfinder technology provides reliable imaging in low-light storage and processing environments.
- Class I Division 1 & 2 certified
- Lightfinder low-light technology
- Multiple mounting configurations
PTZ — Pan Tilt Zoom
Pan, tilt, and zoom control for wide-area monitoring of large processing floors, warehouse facilities, and outdoor tank farms. One unit can cover extensive areas with operator-controlled detail inspection capability.
- Class I Division 1 & 2 certified
- 360° continuous pan coverage
- Remote zoom for equipment detail
Specify the Right Camera
for Your Facility
Our engineering team can assist with product selection for your specific area classification — gas, vapor, or dust. Certification documentation available for ATEX, IECEx, cFMus, and other applicable standards.