FAQs

I-Valo is known for lighting that thrives in harsh, high-temperature environments. We focus on durability, high efficacy and sustainability. Every product is robust, reliable, low maintenance, and designed around real-world applications.

In addition, we are widely recognized for our ability to solve customers’ unique mounting challenges through versatile and well-engineered bracket designs. This flexibility ensures that our luminaires can be installed securely and efficiently, even in the most complex industrial settings.

All I-Valo luminaires are produced at our factory in Iittala, Finland. EX luminaires come from a reliable European partner with strong expertise in ATEX lighting solutions.

Yes. We regularly arrange open seminars and technical training sessions. These are tailored both for engineers and specifiers, as well as for maintenance staff from the end user side. We also provide training opportunities for engineering students – the lighting specialists of tomorrow.

These sessions cover lighting for challenging and complex environments. To arrange a face to face or virtual session, please contact info@i-valo.com.

You can contact our sales team with your request — they are always happy to assist you, and their contact details can be found here.

Alternatively, you can fill in our lighting planning request form with your project details here. The request will go directly to our lighting designer. On the same page, you can also find further information about our lighting planning services.

We offer a wide range of retrofit kits for our older luminaires. You can find more information on how to replace outdated models with new LED luminaires, or how to refurbish existing ones into more energy-efficient versions, here. Of course, you may also contact our customer support at info@i-valo.com for assistance.

I-Valo’s filtering technique is one of the company’s core innovations and a key differentiator in industrial lighting. It’s designed to protect luminaires in demanding environments where dust, dirt, humidity, or aggressive particles would otherwise shorten their service life.

Here’s how it works:

1. The Problem

• In harsh industrial environments (steelworks, power plants, pulp & paper mills, etc.), luminaires are constantly exposed to impurities such as dust, fibers, moisture, and mist. These contaminants, along with gases, are harmful to LED electronics and to the phosphor surface of the LEDs.

• Traditional luminaires “breathe” through pressure equalization, pulling polluted air inside. Over time, contaminants accumulate on internal components, leading to overheating, corrosion, and early failures.

2. The Solution – I-Valo Filter Technology

• I-Valo luminaires are equipped with special filter cartridges that clean the air exchange.

• The filters allow necessary pressure equalization (caused by heat cycles inside the luminaire) while preventing harmful particles, humidity, and aggressive gases from entering.

• Filters are easy to replace, ensuring long-term protection and extending the luminaire’s lifespan.

3. Benefits

• Longer service life for luminaires in extremely harsh conditions.

• Reduced maintenance costs, since the luminaire itself stays clean and only the filter needs periodic replacement.

• Stable lighting performance, as optics and electronics remain uncontaminated.

• Reliability – luminaires keep working where conventional industrial lights would fail.

In short: I-Valo’s filtering technique acts like a “lung protection system” for the luminaire, allowing it to breathe safely even in environments with dust, gases, and other impurities.

Further information, including an informative video on the subject, can be found here.

Yes. Our standard product families already offer a wide range of options, including lumen output, light distribution, colour temperature, Ta-value, cover material, filters, and installation accessories. If a standard solution doesn’t meet your needs, we can tailor a luminaire to your specific requirements. Flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to special requests are among the strengths I-Valo is known for.

Yes, I-Valo luminaires can be integrated into smart lighting solutions. We support Casambi for wireless control for most of our luminaires and DALI-2 for wired systems, ensuring compatibility with modern building automation. Additionally, a hybrid system combining Casambi and Salvador is also possible, offering even greater flexibility for complex projects.

Salvador acts as a bridge between wired DALI networks and wireless Casambi systems. It allows luminaires and controls from both ecosystems to work together seamlessly. This means you can combine the robustness of DALI-2 for large-scale wired installations with the flexibility of Casambi for wireless zones, creating a unified smart lighting experience.

Yes, I-Valo offers versatile solutions for emergency lighting.

Our DAVI EMERGENCY luminaire is available with an integrated battery, providing reliable illumination in the event of a power failure. In addition, our LED EXIT luminaire can be used as an emergency light with a clear tempered glass cover and opal acrylic plate, or fitted with pictograms to clearly mark escape routes.

In DAVI EMERGENCY luminaires, we use LiFePO₄ batteries because they offer several advantages over traditional nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries. They provide longer service life, higher energy efficiency, and better performance in varying temperatures. LiFePO₄ is also a more environmentally friendly choice, as it contains no toxic heavy metals and is highly recyclable. In addition, the batteries have low self-discharge, ensuring reliable emergency operation over time.

I-Valo luminaires are equipped with DALI-2 drivers suitable for AC and DC, enabling easy integration into central battery systems and supporting smart monitoring and testing. This ensures both safety and flexibility in emergency lighting applications.

ATEX comes from the French “ATmosphères EXplosibles” (explosive atmospheres). It refers to two European directives that regulate equipment used in areas where explosive atmospheres may occur, such as:

• Chemical and petrochemical plants

• Oil and gas facilities

• Grain silos and food processing

• Paint shops, battery charging rooms, and more.

The goal of ATEX is to ensure safety by minimizing the risk of ignition from electrical equipment — including luminaires.

I-Valo offers ATEX-certified EX luminaires designed for use in Zone 1, 21 and Zone 2, 22 areas. Our products are engineered for safety, durability, and easy maintenance, meeting the strict standards required in explosive atmospheres.

For more detailed information about ATEX and EX luminaires, please visit our ATEX info page.

Yes. A detailed technical datasheet is available for every product. You can easily find and download them on each product page through our product selector.

Yes. We provide several data file formats to support designers and specifiers, including LDT, ULD, RFA, and DWG. Files can be downloaded either individually per article number or as a ZIP package containing all files for an entire product family. They are available on each product page via our product selector, as well as in the Downloads section.

A DIALux PlugIn is a manufacturer’s product catalog integrated into the DIALux lighting design software, enabling designers to use real luminaires with accurate technical data in their projects. I-Valo offers the I-Valo PlugIn with a complete, continuously updated luminaire library, available for download here.

UGR (Unified Glare Rating) is a standardized metric that indicates how glaring or comfortable a light source appears to the human eye. UGR is installation-specific, not luminaire-specific – it depends on the overall installation, with luminaire brightness being only one contributing factor.

• Scale:

  • 10 → low glare, very comfortable

  • 30+ → high glare, uncomfortable

• Common target:

  • UGR ≤ 22 → acceptable for most industrial work areas

  • UGR ≤ 25 → often acceptable in heavy industry or areas where visual comfort is less critical

• Purpose: Helps designers ensure lighting is comfortable for the eyes, reducing fatigue and discomfort.

Ask I-Valo to help you deliver Lighting Comfort – Our lighting designers use their expertise, data, and software simulations to create high-quality lighting environments with appropriate illumination and glare control.

To learn more, please read our white paper on UGR.

The IP rating defines a luminaire’s protection against dust and moisture, while the IK rating measures its resistance to mechanical impact. I-Valo luminaires are designed in accordance with IEC 60529 and IEC 62262, making them ideal for harsh industrial environments where dust, moisture, and process vibrations are present.

I-Valo offers carefully selected cover materials to ensure long service life, reliable performance, and excellent light quality in harsh environments. Our standard options are tempered safety glass (clear or frosted), acrylic (PMMA), and polycarbonate (PC). Each material is chosen based on decades of experience in industrial lighting and optimized for different types of applications.

Tempered safety glass:
This is our most commonly used cover material thanks to its outstanding durability, optical clarity, and resistance to aging. It performs exceptionally well in industrial and outdoor installations where a long lifetime and minimal maintenance are required. Frosted glass is available when glare control is needed without compromising efficiency. Typical light transmission (visible) 88 – 91 %. Tempered glass provides excellent chemical resistance, making it ideal for harsh industrial environments.

Polycarbonate:
When additional impact resistance is required, such as in public spaces or areas prone to mechanical stress, we offer covers made of polycarbonate (PC). The PC we use is UV-stabilized, making it suitable for outdoor use and ensuring long-term performance even under challenging conditions. Typical light transmission (visible) 86 – 89 %. Polycarbonate has lower resistance to chemicals and can be affected by many solvents and aggressive cleaning agents, leading.

Acrylic (PMMA):
For environments where the weight of the luminaire is a consideration — and the mechanical stress is moderate — we offer acrylic covers. While PMMA is not as tough as polycarbonate, it is significantly more impact-resistant than glass. PMMA also provides excellent light transmission and a clean appearance, making it a practical and safe choice for many indoor applications. Typical light transmission (visible) 91 – 95 %. Acrylic offers moderate chemical resistance and performs well in less aggressive environments.

Key takeaways:

• PMMA offers the highest light transmission among standard options.

• Glass is close behind, with excellent long-term stability.

• Polycarbonate starts slightly lower, but is chosen primarily for its impact resistance, not its optical performance.

• Surface finishes (e.g., frosted, structured, or anti-reflective) will slightly reduce light transmission values for all materials.

I-Valo luminaires are specifically designed for easy maintenance, even in demanding industrial environments. Several product families feature convenient quick-release latches, and the technology package — including optics, drivers, and LED modules — is integrated into a mounting tray that can be replaced quickly and effortlessly.

You can contact our customer service at info@i-valo.com to request replacement parts. We aim to deliver spares quickly and ensure full compatibility across our product range.

Spare parts are listed on each product family page along with the technical datasheets. You can also view the complete list of spare parts with datasheets here.

Yes. Installation instructions and user manuals are available on each product family page as well as on the Downloads page.

Suitable mounting brackets are listed on each product family page. You can also view the complete list of mounting brackets here. If you don’t find a bracket that meets your needs, please contact our customer support at info@i-valo.com — we’ll be happy to assist you.

Suitable service packs are listed on each product family page and in the data sheet of every luminaire. You can also view the full list of retrofit and service packs here.

SBTi stands for Science Based Targets initiative.

It is a global climate action initiative that helps companies set greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets in line with climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement — aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.

SBTi provides companies with a clear and credible pathway to reduce their carbon footprint. If a company’s targets are approved by SBTi, it means they are based on scientific calculations, not just voluntary promises.

As a brand within the Fagerhult Group, I-Valo is proud to have its net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Fagerhult Group is committed to near and long-term goals to reduce direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions with science-based net-zero targets:

• Near-term: 70% reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030
• Near-term: 30% reduction of Scope 3 emissions by 2030
• Long-term: Achieving science-based net-zero target by 2045

I-Valo has already reduced Scope 1 and 2 CO₂ emissions by 69% compared to 2021, meaning we have nearly reached our 2030 target already today.

I-Valo luminaires are designed for long service life and minimal environmental impact. Our filtering technology protects the luminaire from dust and humidity, reducing failures and extending lifetime. Majority of models can be upgraded with retrofit packages, avoiding the need to replace the entire fixture. All products are manufactured in Finland under strict quality and environmental standards, ensuring energy-efficient operation and reduced lifecycle costs.

• Durability & long lifetime → less waste.

• Retrofit / upgradability → reuse instead of replace.

• Energy efficiency → lower power consumption.

• Local, controlled production → smaller environmental footprint.

You may find more information on our sustainability measures here.

I-Valo’s “Fit for the Future” concept is a sustainability-driven approach designed to extend the service life of luminaires through maintainability and upgradability. Unlike many modern LED luminaires that are marketed as easy to maintain but in reality are often disposable — with components that cannot be replaced or are difficult to access without fully uninstalling the luminaire — I-Valo’s Fit for the Future products are built to last. All critical components are integrated into an easily replaceable technique package, making maintenance and upgrades simple and efficient.

Key principles of the concept:

Interchangeable LED technology:
When LED technology evolves or reaches the end of its service life, only the LED module and driver are replaced with new ones. The durable luminaire housing remains in use.

Minimal waste:
Replacing only the technical package minimizes electronic waste and supports environmentally responsible practices.

Ease of maintenance:
The concept also makes luminaires easier to repair. If a component fails, it can be replaced instead of having to install a completely new luminaire.

Spare part availability:
I-Valo ensures that up-to-date spare parts and upgrade kits are available for Fit for the Future luminaires, securing their functionality for decades.

Thanks to this concept, customers can upgrade their existing luminaires to more energy-efficient models and benefit from the latest lighting technology without major investment in new fixtures. This reduces operating costs and significantly extends the lifecycle of the luminaires.

Yes. Where possible, we use non-virgin materials in our luminaires. For example, our die-cast components are made from 100% recycled aluminium, and our extruded aluminium contains up to 75% recycled content. As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we continuously review and develop ways to maximise the recycled content in all our products.

Aluminium is an excellent choice for luminaires in high-temperature environments because it offers strong thermal conductivity, durability, and corrosion resistance. In addition, aluminium is fully recyclable, meaning that after the luminaire’s service life the material can be reused without loss of quality — supporting both performance and sustainability.

The Declarations of Conformity are available on each product family page.

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points.

It is a food safety system used in environments such as food factories, commercial kitchens, and food storage facilities to prevent contamination — for example, from bacteria, glass, or metal fragments entering the food.

Lighting in these areas must not pose a contamination risk. For this reason, luminaires used in HACCP environments should:

• Be shatterproof or have safety covers
  → Prevent glass or other materials from falling into food if a lamp breaks.

• Be easy to clean
  → Smooth surfaces and closed housings help prevent the buildup of dust, insects, or bacteria.

• Be resistant to cleaning chemicals
  → Luminaires must withstand frequent high-pressure washdowns and disinfectants.

• Avoid trapping dirt or water
  → A well-designed luminaire has no open gaps, exposed screws, or sharp corners.

• Provide good lighting quality
  → Bright, safe lighting helps workers quickly spot potential issues in food production.

Many of our luminaires are available with shatterproof polycarbonate covers, high IP ratings, and smooth, easy-to-clean surfaces, making them well suited for HACCP-regulated environments.

If you require a HACCP-compliant luminaire or an official HACCP declaration, please contact our Sales team or our customer support at info@i-valo.com.

Yes. All I-Valo luminaires are designed with high-performance LED technology, efficient optics, and optional smart lighting controls to maximise energy savings. In addition, our long service life, advanced filtering technology, and retrofit options further reduce both energy consumption and lifecycle costs compared to conventional lighting solutions.

No. We have eliminated plastic from our product packaging and replaced it with more sustainable alternatives. We use partly recycled brown cardboard, which is 100% recyclable after use and more environmentally friendly than white cardboard. Small items are packed in paper bags instead of plastic bags, and no staples are used. All printing on packaging is done with water-based inks, without solvents. We also minimise waste by using project packs instead of individual packs and by reusing recycled packaging materials, for example in spare parts shipments.