Working with lighting maintenance contractors

[edit] Introduction

Lighting maintenance contractors can be appointed to keep light fittings clean and change lamps regularly. Proper lighting maintenance also means that the correct lamps will continue to be used throughout the building’s lifetime.

In new buildings, proper maintenance can ensure that lighting satisfies the intention of the lighting designer. When properly executed, lighting maintenance measures in existing buildings can contribute to energy savings and more approriate light levels.

[edit] Relamping and cleaning

Lighting contractors should be required to provide planned maintenance. This establishes a framework for an effective maintenance programme, including regular relamping, cleaning and disposal.

By replacing lamps as their light output (but not their energy consumption) begins to decline, rather than waiting for them to fail, the lighting system should produce better average illuminance. This means that fewer lamps and fixtures are needed to maintain proper working conditions.

One approach to relamping is group relamping. This means changing all of the lamps at the same time on a scheduled basis. This practice consolidates labour and resources that would otherwise be required each time an individual lamp needed to be replaced.

Group relamping may be more cost effective when labour expenses are high and lamp costs are low. Cleaning can also be included during a group relamping, as labour will already be allocated.

Lighting maintenance contractors should be prepared to handle the proper disposal of materials. This should include recycling if possible.

[edit] Coordination between maintenance contractors and lighting designers

The installation of long life light sources will be important for lighting maintenance contractors when lights are installed in hard to reach locations. Lighting should also have accessible features and minimal components that can be easily removed for servicing. Maintenance will be more efficient when the number of lamp types in a building is minimised.

To assist with the maintenance process, lighting designers should be asked to provide a written maintenance policy, including recommended maintenance procedures and equipment replacement schedules. The design should reflect the intended level of maintenance to produce the correct light levels.

Contractors may be able to maintain lighting systems adequately, but this cannot prevent systems from becoming inefficient when modifications to a space create lighting conditions that are no longer suitable for the activities being performed. Lighting designers should be informed of significant changes made to the allocation of space within the building, and systems should be adjusted accordingly - both to maximise employee productivity levels and minimise wasted energy caused by misdirected lighting.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Appointing consultants for building design and construction.
• Lighting.
• Light as a Service LaaS.
• Lighting and energy efficiency.
• Maintenance.
• Proactive maintenance.
• Recycling explained.
• Scheduled maintenance.
• The Walled City Lighting Project.
• Working with maintenance contractors.