Lighting Services Blog

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."

Owning a business is more than just having great products and services. It is also about visibility. You want potential customers to be able to see you from a distance and in the dark of night. Once you get them inside, they need a clear, well-lit view of what you have to offer.

Niagara Falls is by far the largest tourist attraction on the U.S.-Canada border. Every year 12 million visitors flock to the Falls. For decades, many of these visitors have stayed the night to view the crystal waters lit by 21 massive searchlights. Indeed, the lighting of the Falls dates back to 1860 when they were first lit in honor of the Prince of Wales' visit to Canada.

Your business is doing great. It is a good feeling to know you are providing a warm safe place for people even when it is a cold and stormy night. You have a store full of customers. People are waiting at the register. Families with children are browsing in the aisles. Then, it happens! The lights flicker. Your customers turn and look at you for guidance. Suddenly, your store goes as black as the night outside.