Among the wide portfolio of clients we work with, a significant group consists of engineering companies. They include design offices involved in dust extraction, ventilation and similar industrial projects, as well as firms specialising in industrial general and emergency lighting design. Although we usually present projects delivered for final clients, in this article we use two examples to show the scope and execution capabilities WOLFF GROUP provides when working with design offices and engineering companies.
Read the full article or select the section you want to explore:
Cooperation with an Engineering Company Designing and Supplying Industrial Equipment
Our cooperation with companies that build dust extraction, ventilation or similar industrial installations usually involves technical, design and implementation support.
Technical Support
This area covers one of the core activities WOLFF GROUP has been delivering for many years: educating the market on dust and gas explosion hazards, as well as fire risks in industry. Many representatives of engineering firms use our PDF materials, webinars or take part in our free educational programme. But our support does not stop there.
When working with a design office, we provide direct access to our experts throughout discussions concerning the needs of a specific industrial facility. These consultations usually help determine which explosion or fire protection systems are required and best suited for the given project.
Design Support
This second area is closely linked to the first. Ongoing contact with our engineers ensures that design offices receive all key information for their end client at the earliest project stage. The “the earlier, the better” rule delivers real benefits, as it helps reduce protection costs. This concerns not only safety systems, but also necessary fittings and additional components.
For example, proper planning of duct routes is required to allow installation of explosion isolation flap valves. The same applies to fans, motors and other components or standalone devices that must be ATEX-certified. We help select such equipment so that its specification and certification match the Ex zone requirements and the parameters of the combustible dust present.
This form of cooperation allows protective measures to be included directly in the design. As a result, it reduces the risk of situations where the design office’s client is dissatisfied with unexpected costs, such as purchasing protections after installation handover, or with unforeseen issues related to insurance or fire brigade approval.
Implementation Support
The third area is implementation support. Some explosion protection systems, such as explosion suppression, require our involvement during installation and calibration directly at the industrial site. If, during design support, the analysis shows that suppression or HRD bottle-based isolation is the most suitable protection method, we carry out the full scope of required works.
What Does Our Support for a Design Office Look Like in Practice?
As an example, one design office contacted us regarding protection of extraction systems from melting furnaces in a large aluminium smelter. The plant had been experiencing frequent filter fires, so the investor was highly motivated to resolve a problem that was causing recurring losses.
The design office sought industrial safety specialists and contacted us. Once we received information about the existing installation and the issue, we were able to propose a solution — a spark detection and extinguishing system installed in the extraction duct to eliminate ignition sources before they reached the filter. We prepared the concept, which the design office presented to the investor.
However, shortly afterwards, the smelter representatives expressed doubts about whether the system was worth the investment. Within a week, we organised a three-party on-site meeting. Two of our engineers and the design office’s representative met with key technical personnel at the plant. High-level technical discussions answered all questions regarding the operation and effectiveness of the proposed solution.
As a result, the investor’s concerns were resolved and the design office received the expected order.
Cooperation with Design Offices Specialising in Industrial General and Emergency Lighting
As mentioned earlier, another group of design offices we frequently support are those specialising in industrial general and emergency lighting design. Our role is to:
• Simplify the design office’s work
• Reduce the workload related to luminaire selection, modelling and lighting intensity simulations
• Ultimately provide the end client with a project that includes professional and proven solutions
Design offices can also rely on our technical support regarding legal and normative requirements. Our engineers stay up to date with all regulatory changes and share this knowledge with cooperating designers. It is worth noting that we are currently running a training series on the updates to standards PN-EN 1838 and PN-EN 50172, whose revised versions were released in mid-2025.
Site Visits and Documentation Analysis
At the start of a project, the key issue is determining whether the lighting design and luminaire selection concern a newly built facility or the modernisation of an existing installation.
For new sites, we work based on the available design documentation.
For modernisations, cooperation usually begins with an on-site visit together with the design office at the investor’s facility. During the visit, we carry out an inventory of the existing lighting system, which, together with the technical documentation, forms the basis for further design work.
Lighting Concept and Solution Selection
In cooperation with the design office, we prepare a tailored lighting concept that later forms the basis for the full project and supports the selection of specific luminaires.
When developing the concept, we consider the type and purpose of the building as well as the investor’s requirements, including:
- Required illuminance levels for main and emergency lighting
- Ex zones and equipment requirements
- Environmental conditions (e.g. corrosion level)
- IP ingress protection rating
- IK impact resistance rating
- Operating temperature
- Mounting height
- Serviceability and maintenance options
- Integration with external systems (DALI, BMS, SCADA)
- Emergency lighting backup time
- Type of emergency lighting system – central battery or self-contained luminaires (with monitoring unit)
- Option to use dual-function emergency luminaires
Calculations and Design
In the next step, we carry out all lighting intensity simulations and calculations. We work on the construction drawings provided, including cross-sections and evacuation plans showing escape routes, fire-fighting equipment, extinguishers and first-aid points. For more complex industrial installations, we also use 3D design.
After completing the calculations, we provide our design office partners with a full set of files containing:
- Drawings with luminaires marked
- Legend with luminaire list
- Lighting intensity calculation results
- Central battery diagram, datasheets, CNBOP approvals, CE declarations, ATEX certificates and all other required documents
As you can see, cooperation with lighting designers is highly practical. Our priority is to simplify and reduce the workload for the design office, helping them deliver complete designs with the selected lighting within the investor’s required timeframe.