Bright Ideas Blog

Elevators are necessary for high buildings, and while people don’t spend much time in them, lighting is especially important for both safety and comfort. Standard components of elevators include wall panels, bases, and reveals, as well as handrails and ceiling with light fixtures and emergency lighting. Because elevators have low ceilings, are a compact space, and are constantly in motion (with frequent vibrations), elevator lighting requirements are slightly different than in other areas of buildings.

No one wants to be in a dark stairwell – not only can it be dangerous and lead to injury, but it can also make people feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Properly lighting commercial stairwells, both inside and outside, can make a huge difference in both appeal and safety. Although commercial stairwells are occupied infrequently and for short periods of time, appropriate illumination is necessary for a person to be able to navigate through a building under all conditions.

When it comes to a construction project, lighting design can cause a variety of budget and timeline delays due to long production lead times, narrow manufacturer options, over-specified lighting, and more. In these cases, and others, having the project value engineered may help.

Emergency lights typically have a battery back-up that will operate the light in the event the power goes out, regardless of if there’s a generator for back-up power. Exit signs can and should also have a battery, especially if the building doesn’t have generator. Often during fire department inspections, they check that your emergency lights are operational, both with and without power. Emergency lights must be kept properly maintained to meet all federal and state requirements, so when installing new ones or updating old ones, should you just change the battery or replace the entire fixture?

There are many building codes, electrical codes, and emergency standards outlined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Building Code (IBC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), state and local regulations, and others that provide lighting guidelines and requirements for commercial and similar properties. These include for interior lighting, exterior lighting, and emergency lighting.

Lighting plays a critical role in commercial spaces, providing safety and security, setting the mood and atmosphere, and supporting health and wellness. New technology is also making being connected to your commercial property more accessible – and necessary – especially for new builds or upgrades. Some companies are developing new lighting solutions that allow you to connect to your property and create a place that fits your commercial environment, like Satco with their new Starfish lighting solution and mobile app. Not only are these products ideal for residential homes and apartments, but also commercial space as well.

In April, the Department of Energy finalized two rules requiring manufactures to sell energy-efficient lightbulbs. This means older, inefficient lightbulbs that don’t meet the new standards can no longer be manufactured and sold. The primary purposes for these rules are to drive down electricity use, save consumers money, and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s estimated that schools spend billions of dollars annually on energy, and it’s often the second-highest operating expenditure (following personnel costs). Each year, these expenses continue to increase while budgets often decrease, leading educators to look for ways to save money throughout the year. One way is by making some lighting updates that are more energy efficient, therefore saving money on energy bills. LED uses up to 75% less energy than conventional lighting systems, which keeps dollars in your budget for other important things.