Whether the upcoming daylight savings time means it’s staying light for longer or getting lighter earlier, the main purpose is to make better use of daylight; however, this time is also commonly used as a checklist reminder, based on your property or profession. Similar to at home maintenance lists, this is the perfect time to add twice yearly reminders to the calendar at your commercial property

In regard to lighting, make sure lighting is updated, functioning properly, and this is also a great time to test supporting systems. All of these things can not only affect the safety and security of customers and employees, but they also improve the aesthetic of the building and save money on energy costs.

Parking lots, floodlights, interior office lights, security lights, and other fixtures should be checked to ensure they are functioning properly. Now is the time to make any lighting upgrades you’ve been considering this past year with the assistance of your commercial lighting provider.

Here are five key items to complete or check as daylight savings time approaches.

1. Complete an Internal Lighting Audit

To start the season, and before you get started on any new updates or projects, you should conduct a lighting audit to understand what you already have in place and what needs to be done this year. Action items to include:

1. Create a general map of your building’s interior and exterior lighting, the technology currently used, and the date it was installed. This information will keep you organized and diligent as you walk your facility. If you’ve already conducted an audit in the past, you are one step ahead in the process.
2. Indicate corresponding systems in place such as controls, sensors, and timers.
3. Document any upcoming changes to spaces or functions that are happening this year and the timeline in which they are taking place. Plan ahead and indicate future upgrades that should be on your radar.
4. Record any issues:
   1. Non-functioning, flickering, or under-performing lights.
   2. Dark areas that will require attention.
   3. Fixtures that don’t fit the aesthetic of the space or are unpleasing to the eye and broken.

This audit will give you the foundation of the lighting in your building and can be used as your guide to an internal lighting audit.

2. Check Batteries

Daylight savings is a great opportunity to check all necessary batteries and make sure they are performing well. In the event of an emergency, customer and employee safety is first priority. That’s why you should confirm batteries in products like exit signs, emergency lights, keypads on doors, etc. are operational. Keeping a record of when batteries were last changed is a good idea to help avoid an important light going out and causing visibility issues. This can create a dangerous situation, so it is best to change batteries on a regular basis.

NFPA rules require 90 minutes of lighting outside building exits, so it’s important to ensure emergency lighting in your facilities meets these regulations and are working as expected. Read more about the NFPA regulations here.

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should also be checked. If you haven’t already, now is the time to make the change to 10-year alarms and eliminate the need for battery changes.

3. Systems Controls Performance

Next, check any exterior lights that are on timers and make sure they are coming on and turning off during newly appropriate times, whether it’s an hour earlier or an hour later. Controls can make transitioning into daylight savings time much smoother and can save you time and hassle, especially if you manage a large commercial property. Interior lighting should also be checked to ensure functionality where sensors are utilized.

4. Plan for Upgrades

Are there areas in your facility that could use a retrofit? Upgrading to new, energy efficient solutions can reduce energy consumption significantly, which is better for the environment, and it can save you money.

Do any systems need to be upgraded with energy efficient equipment? This could include lamps, fixtures, lighting controls, and other lighting needs.

Are there opportunities to modernize your lighting? Even just switching lighting to LED can help your lighting last longer and save you money on energy costs. Look for areas that might benefit from motion sensors and photocells to outdoor lighting around building entries, in parking lots, or other areas which can help with energy saving initiatives. Adding sensors, dimmers, or other modern technology to lighting systems can lead to additional energy savings.

5. Recycling

How are you handling your light bulb, ballast, and battery recycling? As a reminder, fluorescent lamps contain mercury and are required by law to be recycled in many states. It’s always good to stay on top of recycling and ensure you are using best practices as local guidelines can change, at times.

Consult a Local Commercial Lighting Service

Calling in the professionals can help make your audit, upgrades, and repairs easier. Not only can they help you determine what updates or upgrades you should make to both the interior and exterior of your building, but they can also help develop a plan for repairs or upgrades you need.

You’ll want to work with a company that offers the most up-to-date, energy efficient products, and that can customize layouts and recommendations based on your specific space and needs. Commercial light fixtures need to be installed properly in order to prevent damage and other issues, so enlisting the help of a professional is essential.

Working with a professional can also make it easier to save money on energy costs, modernize your space, make it brighter and safer, and overall increase your bottom line.

Contact Us

If you are in need of a commercial light installation, upgrade, or repair, contact Bay Lighting. We can help you design and install commercial lighting from start to finish. Our turn-key services make it easier than ever to transition your timers, fixtures, and other features for daylight savings time and much more. We serve Maryland, D.C., and Virginia. Call 301-858-9494 today.