The Importance of Getting Photometric Studies for Lighting Designs
A few years ago, as part of their 40-year recertification, cities demanded photometric surveys for parking spaces within real estate. You will ask yourself “Why?”. The answer is very simple. Let me first define what a photometric study is. A photometric study is an overview of the lighting level of a particular area. The light intensity is measured in foot candles. The higher the foot-flame, the more extraordinary the light. For example, a typical office has a 20-foot candlelight. Interestingly, a parking garage has around 2-foot candles.
What exactly is this Photometric study?
Basically, Photometric studies enable architects, any lighting designers, and engineers to digitally simulate indoor and outdoor lighting designs. Photometric studies can replicate the position, intensity, and color of each lighting design. The results of these studies show light/shadow distribution and contrast between light and dark zones.
Advantages of Photometric studies:
Optimize the lighting selection – you can visualize the lighting effects in 3D space before you select and install them.
Increase energy efficiency – architects and lighting planners can analyze lighting plans and provide the best alternative to be as energy-efficient as possible.
Enhance the Customer Experience – By determining the location, the type of furnishings and the intensity of the light, building owners can determine the ambiance and mood of the room.
Enhanced Security – Photometric studies identify dark zones that help lighting planners improve indoor and outdoor security.
This is especially important for parking lots, sidewalks and indoor pools.
Environmental Analysis – Photometric studies show that adjacent properties and the surrounding area are over-illuminated prior to installation if adjustments are required.
Where we can use Photometric studies?
With photometric technology, lighting conditions and lighting solutions for various indoor and outdoor spaces can be effectively analyzed. Here are some places that could use photometric studies to determine the optimal lighting arrangement:
Parking:
A photometric analysis is essential for commercial space such as parking lights. The code requires compliance with minimum, maximum and average light levels. This also addresses safety concerns and helps to avoid possible liability arising from violations of local regulations.
Outside:
Do you have an outdoor parking space or a sports field that you would like to enjoy at night?
A photometric lighting study will help you plan the best way to illuminate your outdoor spaces and highlight the points of interest. You also need to be sure that you comply with local regulations.
Hospital:
A hospital needs a photometric study to design a lighting layout that meets different lighting needs. For example, the reception is more lit than the stations, etc. It is also important to follow local guidelines where photometric analysis is of great help.
Retail:
In retail stores, such as grocery stores, there must be adequate and uniform lighting so that the products are well highlighted and the customers can easily identify them. You can also set a special lighting arrangement for new product areas by illuminating the areas you want to be aware of. The best way to achieve this is a photometric survey.
Warehouse:
You need to maintain a consistent lighting level throughout your warehouse. Have a photometric analysis done, especially before construction to achieve this. The photometric lighting plan gives you the best possible lighting solutions before you buy LED floodlights. Also, you can make changes according to your needs.
EMERGENCY LIGHTING or EGRESS LIGHTING
Emergency lighting is lighting that responds to a power failure. Emergency lighting must include at least escape route lighting to prevent panic and enable safe exit from the building, especially in an urgent situation such as a fire. However, emergency lighting may also be designed so that the occupants of the residential building can “sit”, for example during a power outage, when there is no need requiring evacuation. The procedures used during the implementation of this “Stay Put” strategy will depend on the amount of daylight and whether the emergency lighting is provided as full standby or emergency security lighting only.
Purpose of Egress Lighting:
The purpose of emergency lighting is to ensure sufficient lighting when the power supply to the normal lighting fails. Emergency lighting is the key to ensuring that people can safely leave a commercial building in an emergency. Emergency lighting illuminates the escape routes, which include stairs, corridors, corridors, ramps and escalators leading to an exit.
According to NFPA 101 chapter 7.9, emergency lighting is required in most buildings and structures, but there are some exceptions, which will be explained in more detail in 2018 NFPA 101. Note, however, that you must always discuss all code interpretations with your local authority (AHJ) for clarification.
Why Emergency Lighting is important?
Commercial emergency lighting is an integral part of the fire safety of a building as it provides lighting when other lights fail. In the event of a fire or power outage, the primary power supply may be cut off and the building will require additional emergency lighting to ensure the safety of the occupants. The choice of LED emergency lights is a good decision as LED lights bring many benefits to buildings, residents and building owners.
The durability of emergency lighting:
Since emergency lighting is intended for all types of emergencies, they must be long-lasting and unhelpful. Egress lights must withstand all environmental conditions, whether it is freezing cold or burning hot. While the performance of other lights may vary with temperature and conditions, LED emergency lighting is unaffected and resistant to vibration and shock (Must be UL Listed).
Efficient And Long Lasting:
LED lights last for a very long time, which is crucial for emergency lighting as it is always on. The lifetime of LED lights can be up to 100,000 hours, which is significantly longer than other lights on the market. All emergency lighting requires annual maintenance and inspection. LED lights are also extremely energy efficient as they operate at lower temperatures and generate higher lighting levels per watt.
Contact Winston Engineering LLC for additional information about Photometric studies
