Lighting Services Blog

 Our world is one that lives and breathes on the newest fads and electric; specifically light bulbs are no exception to this rule. Once upon a time, you used to be able to go into your local drugstore and pay your electric bill and receive 60 watt light bulbs in return. At this point, no matter how often you changed your bulbs, they were always the same. Then, CFL's became popular. CFL's seemed brighter, they came in different "hues." As a regular incandescent bulb burned out, a CFL was used to replace it. Then it was discovered that CFL bulbs are almost impossible to throw out/recycle. It was also discovered that LED light bulbs had longer life and were far more energy efficient. So now as those old incandescents or CFL's are burning out we are replacing them with LED bulbs. And what is happening? The color temperature is inconsistent throughout your home or business.

There are many things to consider when planning a commercial renovation. Make sure you include your emergency exit lighting system. Though we never want to assume the worst, it's best to be prepared. And being prepared could save time and money when applying for your building permit.     

Plan logical and efficient exit routes, map them out, and ensure that they will be well-lit. Inspect any remnants of your old system that will remain in use.   Check power sources and connections. If the main power source to the property fails, will your exit signs and route markers be illuminated? Are your light bulbs in good shape? Would there be any benefit to upgrading to an LED system? 

Small to mid-size business owners find themselves in a bind when it is time to upgrade their lighting systems. In the case of the greenhouse and nursery industry, such upgrades can mean an increase in productivity, a decrease in spending and a morale boost for workers. However, upgrades can seem like a costly investment, especially when other aspects of the business require more immediate attention. Plus, installing LED lighting could disrupt work flow and production. Here's some information that serves to alleviate these concerns.

Summers approach means an overwhelming increase in outdoor events. From outdoor concerts, street fairs, state fairs, sporting activities and crowded beach parking lots, crowds need to know how to safely exit an area in the event of an emergency. In addition, many restaurants and other entertainment venues may look to extend operations to patios or other areas. The use of the outdoors is something to look forward to, but the officials, organizations and businesses hosting outdoor recreation must comply with safety codes and regulations.

Running a business is expensive. Buying stock and paying employees combined with heating, cooling, and maintenance can really eat into your profit margin. Expensive electric bills due to inefficient lighting is the last thing you want to worry about. Many people do not understand the immense saving an LED retrofit can give their business. Incandescent lighting can cost a fortune when it comes time to pay your monthly utilities. Let’s look at some of the amazing facts about LED lighting that may not know. Here are some highlights from the LED section of the Energy.gov website.

Did you know that the batteries in your emergency exit lights, like people, may get low on electrolytes? And just like the human body, your lighting system may not work so well either, when it becomes deficient.                                                                                                                                                                   

Laws are made for a reason. In the case of fire codes, that reason is safety. The purpose is to protect you from becoming trapped in a dangerous situation. Because of this practicality, common sense tells us that it's important to follow these rules. But there are also some legal consequences that come with not following the fire code. Educate yourself on what could happen if your building fails to meet legal standards for fire safety. Keep in mind that fire codes differ among the 11 states that we serve, but that the punishments all share these common threads.

Successful businesses often forget about their emergency exit lights. After all, they are usually only visible when it is dark and that only happens during power outages and emergencies. However, it does happen.

The days when a company could call a local electrician to handle their lighting issues are over. However, even when you call lighting professionals, oftentimes they may not be giving you the service you deserve.

Building contractors may grumble about emergency lighting and safety regulations, but in an emergency the name of the game is egress. While local codes may vary somewhat in language, the International Building Code (IBC) states that "means of egress is a continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure to a public way. A means of egress consists of three separate and distinct components: the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge."