Sparks Electrical News March 2020

LIGHTING

21

Lighting a warehouse or factory: some tips

W hen undertaking the lighting design for a warehouse or factory, there are a number of factors to take into consideration to ensure that the goods stored in the warehouse are visible and to ensure the health and wellbeing of the workers. Spazio Lighting takes a look at why suf- ficient, well planned lighting is so impor- tant for a warehouse or factory setup. A typical warehouse layout is that of high ceilings with long racking aisles, which in some cases have shelves that are stacked so high the products are

only accessible by forklift. Because of this, it is impor- tant to ensure that each aisle is individually illuminat- ed with its own set of light fittings. Poorly positioned lighting will create dark spots and shadows, which will make products less visible. To compensate for the high ceilings, it is important to install light fittings with a very high light output so there is sufficient lighting on the ground level of the space. Stay away from traditional fluorescent or HID light fittings and prefer energy efficient LED alterna- tives. Not only will this save on energy consumption and offer a better quality of light output, but – when switched on – the fittings will light up instantly, un- like traditional fittings that can take a few minutes to warm up to full brightness. LED fittings also produce less heat, which is better for conserving the items be- ing stored. Because LED light fittings light up instantly, they can be connected to a motion sensor without affect- ing their lifespan. This means that an aisle of light fit- tings in a warehouse will only switch on when some- one enters the aisle, leading to an even bigger saving in electricity consumption. The UFO LED high bay, available through Spazio, is a good choice for a warehouse or factory. It is available in 100 W, 150 W and 240 W options with a very high light output (140 Lm per Watt). The 90° reflector means the fitting gives off a wide beam of light, covering a bigger surface. There is also the option of the UFO high bay complete with a microwave sensor which means that the fitting will switch off if there is no activity in close proxim- ity. The UFO has an impressive five-year warranty, which is another advantage as it can be very com- plicated to replace light fittings mounted to such high ceilings. Note that warehouse and factories are legally re- quired to have the correct emergency light fittings lighting the way to an emergency exit. Spazio Light- ing offers a range of light fittings with three-hour emergency backup as well as emergency exit signs with interchangeable pictograms. over 120 branches across the globe; its aim is to be the first choice of LED products for the lighting and signage industry worldwide. LED Aluminium Profiles No professional lighting project is complete without the use of LBY LED Aluminium profiles. Conceptual- ised to be an excellent aesthetic tool for all lighting design applications, these aluminium profiles can be recessed into floors, ceilings, tiles and walkways, and be used to illuminate staircases or by transformed into contemporary linear lighting fixtures. LBY LED Aluminium profiles are available in wide range of shapes and sizes. They create attractive linear lighting and outlining, as well as providing heat management and a protective housing for LED strips. The possibilities are endless as they are simple to use, practical and elegant. Enquiries: www.spazio.co.za

Enquiries: www.lbyafrica.com

SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

MARCH 2020