Industrial Lighting

Having proper lighting in your manufacturing facility or factory is extremely important. Industrial spaces are unique and therefore require special maintenance. Designed for various uses, most of these spaces have common features such as high ceiling, narrow aisles, and large spaces. This renders them a little complicated when it comes to lighting installation. Largescale and effective lighting is of paramount importance when it comes to industrial spaces.

MANUFACTURING AND STORAGE

Warehouse and manufacturing facilities are a major section of indoor real estate in the industrial world. The activities carried out in these environments vary significantly from storage, production, and machining. For this reason, the lighting should be customized to meet the complexity of the functions and requirements of every space.

This article is a guide on how to install proper lighting for factories for optimum efficiency and safety of industrial workers.

CHOOSING THE MOST APPROPRIATE INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING SOLUTION

Proper lighting helps in creating and maintaining a safe working environment in the industries or factories. With the right lighting conditions, accidents are prevented, and the overall performance, health, and safety of the organization are improved.

For most of the activities carried out in industrial spaces to run smoothly, you will have to choose the appropriate lighting solution. Proper lighting complements the working conditions for a positive impact on the productivity and performance of your workforce.

SAFETY MEASURES FOR INDUSTRIAL LIGHTING

From forklift safety to precision work, consistent lighting installed in high places is essential in warehouse and factory settings. Narrow aisles and high ceilings make it challenging for the installed lighting to reach some spaces.

The consequences of working in a dimly or poorly lit space can be very dire. It is therefore of paramount importance to install lighting fixtures that distribute the light evenly throughout the industrial space. Lighting on a wide beam angle, for instance, illuminates open spaces efficiently, while narrow beam angles are appropriate for isles.

Minimizing the glare is also vital for industrial space settings. In high-risk areas where workers are operating machinery, for example, loss of visibility that can be caused by glare might lead to serious accidents. High-quality, LED lights are glare-free and offer sufficient lighting.

In factory settings, workers work long hours under artificial lighting, and this can affect their productivity and wellbeing. For this reason, choosing the right LED color temperature will have a huge difference in the feel and look of the space.

Proper lighting for factories not only enhances the working environments, but it will also improve the safety and visibility of all the products. Don’t subject your industrial workers to working in dull and dim environments. White daylight color that’s bright enough is ideal for warehouse or industrial application where staff members work for long hours under artificial light.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY, MAINTENANCE, AND INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

COST EFFICIENCY

Most people tend to view LED lighting as a form of luxury, but clear from that fallacy, most LEDs consume 75% less energy compared to conventional lighting technologies. Although the installation of LED lighting can be more expensive, the return on investments is high. When this might not sound like a big deal for a small home with just a few bulbs, commercial premises such as industries can save a ton of dollars from the installation of LED lighting solutions.

The main explanation for this is that LED lights barely emit any heat, and this has both safety and cost-efficiency advantages. You can save some dollars on the air-conditioning cost associated with the constant cooling of uncomfortably hot industrial spaces caused by traditional lights.

MAINTENANCE

You should also pay close attention to the maintenance cost when choosing a lighting solution to install in your factory space. High ceilings, which are common in warehouses and other industrial spaces, make it laborious and costly to replace defunct and defective lighting fixtures. That said, you should install bulbs that require less maintenance or replacements.

LEDs have a longer lifespan than traditional bulbs. Quality LED lights can last for as long as ten years with minimal maintenance. They have greater longevity, attract fewer expenses, and will ultimately offer energy efficiency.

Proper maintenance is necessary for industrial space lighting. LEDs rely on the technology of light-emitting diodes to generate light, which means their installations have fewer moving parts hence less susceptible to breaking. With fewer breakages, then you should expect fewer replacements and repair rounds.

Changing some lighting fixtures, such as high bay lights, which have extremely high mounting heights, will require specialized equipment.

THE IDEAL SOLUTION

Most industrial spaces operate around the clock, which means they require artificial lighting all through. This can incur considerably high energy costs. This makes LEDs the best solution for factory settings. Boasting superior lighting and energy efficiency, LED lighting outshines conventional alternatives.

LED lights can turn on instantly by the use of light sensors, and they get to full-output instantly without having to warm up like the traditional fluorescent bulbs. Although switching to LED lighting for an industrial setting is capital intensive, the benefits of instant energy cost reduction are worth the investment.

MAINTAINED ILLUMINATIONS

Illumination is measured in footcandles or lux, and it typically means the amount of light falling on every square foot. The illumination levels in industrial space depend on the type of activity being performed.

Organizations such as IESNA and OSHA recommend low lighting intensity for areas used for specific tasks based on the inherent dangers and frequency of the activities. Maintained illumination means the light level from the luminaire at the end of its life, meaning you must factor in light decay when calculating illumination.

Studies show that productivity and accidents are directly related to the adequacy of lighting, making it imperative to offer a threshold level of maintained illumination. Maintained lumens are calculated at the end of their life because LED luminaires lack replaceable ‘lamps.’

High bay LED lighting perform wonders on outside lighting. From distribution facilities to warehouses to factories, high bay lightings are highly adaptable and meets the demands of a wide range of applications. These lighting fixtures hang from the ceiling via hooks, or chains that are fixed on the ceiling.

Factory settings require powerful lighting solutions for effective illumination. Most high bay lights on the market have profiled side reflectors for directional illumination and even light distribution.

INSTALLATION

You can install low bay lighting in areas with low-level ceilings. However, they are often fixed in hard-to-reach areas. It is therefore important to consider whether the high or low bay lighting claims a convenient, fix-and-forget feature.

For industrial spaces, it is recommended that you choose highly robust lights that come with slide-out brackets for efficient and quick installation. LEDs are free from mercury content and glass elements, making them ideal for spaces associated with high contamination.

Non-corrosive lighting fixtures are ideal for these spaces because they happen to be corrosion and shock-resistant and waterproof. These features make them a great choice for installation in industrial spaces such as loading bays, garages, Wearhouse entries, and other workplaces for robust and efficient lighting.

SUMMARY

The biggest advantage of LED installations is that they can be customized to meet your unique needs. LED installation experts can customize your lighting fixture for just the right amount of light and illumination required in your space. You should consult with the best industrial lighting professionals to find out the appropriate lighting solution that your factory or warehouse needs. Most lighting companies offer a wide range of solutions and extend their services to installation as well.