Elevators are the most popular way of accessing high structures. They are required in multistory buildings to facilitate faster mobility. They must therefore be as secure and comfortable as possible. Proper elevation lighting helps passengers feel protected and at ease.
The lighting requirements for elevators vary from those of other locations. This is because elevators have low ceilings, are constantly in motion and are prone to vibrations. Getting a lighting system that is adequate for elevators is therefore crucial.
Let’s take a closer look at elevator lights.
The Fundamentals of Elevator Lighting
The unique and specific design, function and size of elevators means that they must be well lit to perform optimally. The following ideas will assist you in choosing the best elevator lighting system to install in your building:
Building Safety Codes
Building codes are a set of guidelines that govern building standards. To obtain planning authorization from local councils, buildings must adhere to these guidelines. This usually ensures that people operating in and around a building are safe.
These guidelines address a building’s design, construction, inspection, testing, functionality, repair, maintenance and modification. This means that they apply to all building-related equipment and sections which includes elevators and their lighting.
Understanding these guidelines is therefore the first step towards getting an appropriate elevator lighting system.
Heat Reduction
The next step after meeting all the building safety regulations is choosing a low-heat elevator lighting system. Since elevators are tight spaces, it is important to keep as much heat out as possible to stay comfortable.
Any heat generating lighting arrangement should therefore be avoided. This includes incandescent lights since they produce a lot of heat. Fluorescent bulbs are preferred to incandescent lights because they produce more light than heat.
LED lighting is however the best elevator lighting option. This is because it is the most energy-efficient and low-heat lighting option. It also has the best lumen to wattage ratio. Unlike fluorescent bulbs, LED lamps are also 1005 recyclable and free of toxic chemicals like mercury.
Appropriate Light Brightness and Shades of Color
In addition to removing all the unwanted heat, you will need to make your elevator more appealing and beautiful. The correct color tone is the one that offers a secure and comfortable atmosphere to your elevator’s interior.
Playing in the centre ground is generally a safe bet. Ensure the lighting in your elevator is not excessively bright or too dim. Smart lighting alternatives are normally recommended since they come in many shades of color. This makes them suitable for any environment.
With smart lighting, a simple click can change the look of your elevator to suit various conditions for example, night time. Apart from changing your elevator’s interior atmosphere, proper shades of color also improve efficiency.
Low-energy color schemes that boost the lux level are therefore recommended. An elevator’s light intensity should be limited to 100 lx since elevators are intended to assist in mobility and not in luxury.
Energy Efficiency
Elevators are mostly found in large buildings. You must therefore consider the overall utility costs of a building when choosing an elevator lighting system. Ensure you select an elevator lighting system that utilizes less energy so that you can keep your utility expenses in check.
LED lamps are the most energy-efficient lighting options available. Installing alternative rows of light lamps is another way of achieving energy-efficient lighting. You can use this method to turn off intermittent rows. This reduces the frequency of their use thus increasing their lifespan.
Emergency Lighting
Elevator emergency lights are a must-have feature. They are normally set up to ensure that they can be used in the event of a blackout. This keeps the passengers safe and secure until power is restored.
Instead of the conventional red emergency lights that often cause panic, a peaceful white color tone is usually recommended for elevator emergency lighting.
Long-Lasting
It is not ideal to have an elevator lighting system that is constantly in need of repair and maintenance. A lighting system like this will cause a lot of downtime and inconvenience for its users.
Smart LED lighting solutions have a 100,000-hour operational life. This type of system is great for elevator lighting because it is long-lasting. In order to save money on replacement costs, a sound elevator lighting system should only require minimal maintenance.
Benefits of Proper Elevator Lighting
Elevators are necessary for moving around multistory buildings. However, it is not uncommon to encounter someone who is afraid of riding in elevators. Even if you don’t have this fear, you could be hesitant to ride an elevator if it appears to be dangerous. Properly installed elevator lighting often reduces this fear.
Elevator lighting also has a significant impact on a variety of other important issues such as energy usage, cab weight, code compliance, and security features. Since elevators tend to see varying levels of traffic based on the time and location, smart elevator lighting solutions are quite advantageous.
Elevator Lighting Installation
Since elevators are narrow and constantly moving, they have a very complicated lighting system. Elevator lighting generally requires a high degree of structural stability. It should therefore only be installed by a certified professional who can guarantee security.
Although complex in functionality, elevator lighting systems should be simple to set up. Fewer cables often guarantee a lighting system that is easier to install, repair and maintain. An elevator with numerous cables may appear to be dirty and dangerous.
Fewer cables also reduce the weight of the elevator which is advantageous to its mobility. Although the cables should be few and light in weight, they should also be resilient enough to cope with the frequent vibrations. Lighting components must also have a low height that aligns with the elevator’s low ceiling.
Conclusion
Elevators are essential components of high-rise buildings. This is because the offer a special kind of functionality that cannot be given by all other fittings. It is therefore advisable to ensure that all essential factors are considered before putting up an elevator lighting system.
