Article By Dale Crawford, Executive Director for Steel Tube Institute
Table of Contents
When futureproofing cannabis facilities, proper selection of materials is key for safety and longevity. In corrosive environments and those that come in contact with ingestibles, like cannabis facilities, stainless steel electrical conduit raceways are the preferred choice because of their ease of installation, safety, longevity and sustainability.
Ease of Installation
Stainless steel systems are easy and cost-effective to install; they do not require special labor-intensive procedures. Unlike other materials that may require welding, threading or complex coatings, stainless steel conduit can be quickly cut, bent and assembled using standard tools, reducing installation time and labor costs.
Designed for durability and easy sanitation, stainless steel conduit raceways keep critical electrical systems safe while meeting the strict hygiene standards of modern grow operations.
This is especially beneficial for cannabis facilities, where strict environmental controls and compliance with electrical safety codes are essential. The smooth interior surface of stainless steel conduit also makes wire pulling easier, further streamlining the installation process.
Additionally, its resistance to corrosion eliminates the need for protective treatments or frequent maintenance, ensuring long-term reliability in the high-humidity and chemically sensitive environments often found in cannabis cultivation and processing facilities.
Safety and Hygiene
The use of listed stainless steel conduit systems ensures a safe facility that is both NEC and OSHA compliant.
The processing of cannabis, including preparation, oil extraction and post-processing is extremely dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, that a new article was added to the National Electric Code to address these concerns, Article 512. Flammable solvents such as butane, pentane, hexane and ethanol are typically used in the process. Explosions and fires at cannabis processing facilities have injured production-line personnel and first responders. Stainless steel electrical conduit helps safeguard against these risks as it is non-combustible and suitable for hazardous locations. With properly rated fittings and enclosures, electrical sources of ignition are confined within the conduit system, preventing the ignition of the flammable materials in the facility.
Don’t do this! Welding creates crevices where bacteria can thrive, compromising cleanliness and compliance. For grow operations, smooth, crevice-free alternatives are the safer choice.
Stainless steel conduit systems are hygienic as they have a polished finish that provides a smooth, non-porous surface, making them easy to sanitize while preventing bacteria or pathogens from harboring. Preventing bacteria and corrosion helps ensure that cannabis products are sold at the highest quality and eliminates the possibility of spoiled batches that will result in a loss of revenue.
Longevity
It is estimated that corrosion costs facilities worldwide $2.5 trillion per year. This includes anything from expenses incurred from the replacement of individual parts to total plant shutdowns and lost production batches, as well as putting personnel in danger. In cannabis cultivation and processing facilities, where high humidity, water exposure and chemical interactions are common, corrosion-resistant infrastructure is essential to maintaining continuous operations. Stainless steel rigid conduit offers durability and strength across wide temperature ranges and is allowed in dry, damp or wet locations, and is resistant to corrosion, making it the ideal choice for cannabis facilities.
Perfectly paired with industrial pumps, stainless steel conduit raceways provide safe, sanitary electrical routing in cannabis facilities.
By resisting rust, corrosion and chemical damage, stainless steel conduit helps prevent costly downtime and reduces the risk of compromised production batches. Additionally, its longevity ensures fewer replacements and minimal maintenance, providing a long-term, cost-effective solution for an industry where consistency and compliance are key.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a growing priority for cannabis facilities, where environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance go hand in hand. Choosing stainless steel for facilities removes the need for surface treatments or preventative maintenance to protect against corrosion, lessening the maintenance and long-term costs for facility owners and operators, compared to other materials. It is also the most eco-friendly option as it is 100% recyclable. It does not emit dangerous smoke or carcinogens and will not leach into products or surrounding areas. With many consumers valuing sustainability and regulators increasing scrutiny on environmental impact, using stainless steel aligns with both industry best practices and the eco-conscious values that cannabis brands strive to uphold.
Cannabis facilities continue to grow around the US and according to Whitney Economics, the industry is set to see a year-over-year growth rate of 9.4%. They must be built with safety, sustainability, and longevity in mind. Choosing the right raceways will ensure personnel are safe from dangerous incidents, the products are safe from any dangerous bacteria, and the facility is built to last. Installing stainless steel raceways will yield long-term savings by avoiding the cost of necessary maintenance of inferior products.
