Washdown & IP69K Compliance Checklist

Print this before you spec lighting for a wash-down zone. It covers ingress protection, materials, certifications, environment, and installation — based on how IP69K/NSF sanitation requirements actually get applied in food and beverage plants.

Ingress protection

Confirmed the fixture's printed IP rating — IP69K for direct wash-down/CIP zones, IP66 minimum elsewhere
Verified IP69K is on the manufacturer's spec sheet, not assumed from the product name
Confirmed the fixture is rated for both high-pressure and high-temperature spray, not just splash resistance

Materials & construction

Stainless steel or FRP housing with no exposed fasteners or horizontal ledges that trap residue
Polycarbonate or impact-resistant lens — not standard glass, which can chip and contaminate product
Gasketed, smooth profile that wipes clean without disassembly

Certifications

NSF or 3-A listing confirmed for any direct food-contact zone (checked the nameplate, not just the datasheet)
Asked the vendor for the certification number, not just a claimed compliance statement

Environment

Ambient temperature range covers your actual wash cycle (hot water and steam, not just room temperature)
Cold-storage rating specified if the zone drops below freezing
Combustible dust zones (flour, sugar, milk powder) flagged separately — IP69K alone doesn't cover a Class II dust hazard

Installation & maintenance

Mounting height and access allow safe cleaning without disassembling the fixture
Cable entries and glands match the wash-down rating — an unsealed gland defeats a sealed fixture
Sanitation team briefed on which cleaning chemicals are compatible with the housing finish

Email me a copy

Optional — we'll send this checklist to your inbox as a PDF-ready page.

Speccing a wash-down zone right now?

Request a Quote