LM&M January/February 2023

CRISIS Averted

We’ve Got You Covered

When it comes to outdoor lighting, Keystone has you covered.

Whether it’s a retrofit or replacement project, our full portfolio of outdoor solutions is designed to meet your needs. We have a wide variety of energy-efficient outdoor fixtures and lamps,

many available with selectable power outputs and color temperatures.

Our products incorporate features that simplify installation, stand up to the elements, and provide flexibility for any space.

That’s LIGHT MADE EASY.

C. Webster Marsh loves talking about lighting controls. He owns Penumbra Controls, co-hosts the Lighting Controls Podcast and serves as a project manager for Boston Illumination Group. His vast knowledge of and experience in the controls segment lends credence to his frequent contribution to the Lighting Controls Association. Marsh is also an instructor for the Southern California Edison Energy Education Centers.

C. WEBSTER MARSH, CLCP, MIES

CONTRIBUTORS

Editor and Publisher

Randy Reid

Assistant Editor Parker Allen

VP, Advertising Sales

Cliff Smith 917.705.3439

Production and Design Coordinator Angie Hullfish

Art Direction Seraphine Morris

Staff Writers

Katie Smith Jacob Wright

Lighting Management & Maintenance (LM&M) publishes information for the benefit of its members and readers. The sponsor (NALMCO), publisher and editor of LM&M cannot be held liable for changes, revision or inaccuracies contained in the material published. For detailed information on the products, programs, services or policies covered, it is recommended readers contact the appropriate person, company agency of industry group.

SHIRLEY

COYLE, LC

Shirley Coyle is an independent consultant and principal of Relevant Light. She has worked in specification sales and executive leadership roles for several lighting manufacturers over the past 30 years. Lighting Certified since 2000, Shirley is a Past President of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and is active on several IES technical and service committees.

LM&M is published by EdisonReport (ISSN 2835-821X). Statements and opinions expressed in articles and editorials in LM&M are the expressions of contributors and do not necessarily represent the policies or opinions of the EdisonReport. Advertisements appearing in the publication are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.

Photo Credit: IntelliSafe IAQ

President's MESSAGE

NALMCO Members,

I hope all is going well with you as you reflect on the previous year’s accomplishments and mentally prepare for what’s on the horizon in 2023. As the incoming President, I am energized and excited to lead this organization and help our members chart a path of progress, greater success and positive change.

I’ve been asked to share my goals and vision for the organization, which seems simple enough, but it wasn’t as easy as one might think.

What should I do first? What’s most important to the Association? What do the members want? It became increasingly evident that I had more questions than answers, so I spent a fair amount of time contemplating my new role and the importance of leading this organization.

RANDY ALLEN, CALT

One thing was abundantly clear…my purpose is to carry out NALMCO’s mission of “raising the professional level of its members and the performance of lighting systems by providing education, certification and networking opportunities for the lighting industry”.

To accomplish my goals, I will draw upon the knowledge and expertise of the NALMCO community, lead and encourage the Board to continue their support of the Association’s objectives, and do my best to represent the Association and its members to the best of my ability. I believe in the value of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement and I’m fortunate to have support from some of the Association’s most dedicated and trusted professionals. I have no doubt that through their guidance and trust, I will accomplish these goals.

Our first event of the year is Spring Seminar, which is just around the corner. Like Christmas, we all know it’s coming but it seems to sneak up on us every year. I encourage you to register today and plan on joining your friends, colleagues, and other industry professionals March 7-9 in Plainfield, IN.

Hosted by LEDVANCE, the Spring Seminar is an interactive two-day conference dedicated to hands-on learning led by NALMCO’s associate members. These Learning Labs are quick, 25-minute sessions that create an ideal atmosphere for technicians, salesforce, and service managers to discuss real-world case studies aimed at finding the best solutions for your customers. Each attendee will have an opportunity to participate in each of the 10 Learning Labs, and there will be multiple opportunities to network with other industry professionals.

I’m excited about the upcoming year, and I’m pleased to announce that each of the committees are hard at work on their respective goals.

One of the biggest announcements this year comes from the Certification Committee. They will be unveiling 3 new UV-C Certifications in 2023, in addition to rolling out the Lighting Auditor Certification and completing the CALT/CSLT refresh. I would like to personally thank David Errigo and Acuity for their continued support and assistance with the CALT and CSLT refresh project.

Equally deserving, I would like to acknowledge Brian Baker, Kim Cagle, and Erik Ennen for the countless hours they have invested in the evolution, maintenance, and distribution of NALMCO’s certifications. It goes without saying that your efforts are paramount to the continued success of NALMCO’s certification program.

I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. I look forward to serving the NALMCO community over the next two years and invite you to engage with us by attending one of our industry events.

Cheers!

From the

EDITOR

As the past president of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the current Executive Director of the National Lighting Bureau (NLB), I know a bit about non-profit organizations in the field of lighting. And it is absolutely thrilling to see the continual improvement at NALMCO.

What has me most excited is the world-class website that is being finalized as we go to press. First, it has a modern new look that is exciting and refreshing. Secondly, the navigation is easy and logical. Third, while appearance is important, content is king, and NALMCO is working hard to provide meaningful data.

Visitors are first introduced to a rotating banner that can be easily changed, allowing for the most up-todate announcements. As of this writing, the Spring Seminar is highlighted, so within one click you have the information you need as well as a link for the full agenda and hotel information. The rotating banner smartly directs to current and past issues of LM&M. (Yes, I try to plug this magazine at every opportunity!)

After the banner is the mission statement linked to the bylaws, followed by vision statements. The design works for every visitor – the home page has a plethora of information for existing members, yet guests and potential members can easily understand who NALMCO is and what the organization exemplifies.

One of the best features is the members portal where one can login and manage his or her account, including

• Paying renewal invoices

• Managing subscription preference

• Participating in Social Community/Community Forums

• And more!

It’s a giant step forward.

The structure is friendly, fluid and will be easy to update. Congratulations to staff members Kacie Krominga and Kelly Kipping who led this effort.

As of this writing, the website is not yet 100% finished, but it still looks darn good. Check it out at NALMCO.org

FROM THE EDITOR

TRUGREEN FACILITY GETS A MAKEOVER

By Randy Reid

Many of the retrofits we hear about are large, complex projects. Usually, something goes wrong. Other times the planets align, and everything goes smoothly. This project is about the latter – a small retrofit that was easy and seamless.

In the case of TruGreen’s Tupelo, MS, facility, energy savings was important, but the underlying reason for the retrofit was that the near-obsolete fluorescent tubes were providing inadequate lighting, failing to meet industry standards and incurring excessive maintenance costs with routine replacements.

The existing system had 13 four-lamp T12 troffers, consuming about 160 total system watts (including ballast losses). Universal Douglas proposed two retrofit scenarios: a linear LED system and a round high bay system. TruGreen decided on the RHBB Round High Bay Luminaire, which consumes 100 system watts and delivers 14,000 lumens.

At $0.08 per kWh and 4380 hours per year, the annual energy savings is $21.02 per fixture. Because of the RHBB's superior light distribution uniformity, TruGreen

went from 13 fluorescent luminaires to 8 high bays, saving $168.19 annually. By removing 5 of the original fixtures, an additional $350.40 were saved, for a total annual savings of $518.59. But, as mentioned earlier, energy savings is just an added benefit.

The real story is in the quality of light. The fluorescent lamps seemed to punch the light straight down with very few vertical foot-candles. The RHBB LED round luminaires, which feature a 90-degree beam angle, lit up the shelves and provided substantial vertical illumination. The system was designed to deliver 17 footcandles to the work surface, increasing light levels at the workstations and in the general maintenance area. Further, the fluorescent lamps have a Color Rendering Index (CRI) of 62, compared with 80 for the RHBB, further improving the quality of light.

In addition to the improved quality of light and the energy savings, installation was easy and inexpensive. The job site already had a 120V plug drop at every location, so a simple cord set was installed on site, and the luminaires were simply hung and plugged in. The facility never had to cease operations for installation,

and the entire process took less than a day.

Speaking of maintenance – with a 50,000 hour warranty, TruGreen won’t have to touch the fixtures for at least 10 years, long after the retrofit has paid for itself in energy reductions. They can focus on

serving their customers instead of fumbling around in the dark. No more grabbing the wrong weed killer or fertilizer. No more using an iPhone flashlight to locate the correct customer’s file. Every inch of the warehouse is now properly lit with a long term solution that will save the company money. This is truly a win-win. ■

Photo Credit: TruGree

Photo Credit: TruGree

HOW DO B UILDING AUTOMATION

SYSTEM PR OTOCOLS

FIT INTO THE LIGHTING CONTROLS EQUATION?

By C. Webster Marsh, CLCP, MIES Penumbra Controls, Lighting Controls Association

Here’s the scenario: you are a contractor bidding on a project with a Building Automation System (BAS) that uses Bacnet. The intent of the project is to provide a holistic BAS that reduces the quantity of devices so that each space will have just a handful of devices to control multiple systems. The lighting control system will provide the user interfaces (keypads, sensors, touchscreens) that will communicate with other systems that will use Bacnet, a BAS protocol, such as the HVAC system. This is becoming a more common request in projects, and the success of the project relies upon a Networked Lighting Control (NLC) system with Bacnet integration. So how do you ensure the success of the project?

The first thing we need to look at is how lighting control protocols work in an NLC. Starting with the NLC system user interface, the keypad, a signal is sent from the keypad to the system processor which typically utilizes the manufacturer specific communication, oftentimes a proprietary protocol, which is referred to as the Front-End Protocol.

This proprietary protocol is not the same protocol that will be used to dim the luminaires. On the other end of the NLC

NLCs can use multiple Networking Protocols within their system to communicate between devices. The Front-End Protocol may be from keypad to room controller, but the room controller may convert that Front-End Protocol into a Networking Protocol to be able to speak with other room controllers or a system server. With this setup, an NLC can have two or more protocols, though there are many systems that try to reduce this number as much as possible. NLC’s that use wireless devices integrated into their luminaires are an example of efforts to keep this number low, but typically there are still Front-End and Back-End Protocols that are rarely the same. It’s important to understand this, because BAS protocols are exclusively Front-End protocols, which means the BAS protocol needs to be translated to the luminaire’s protocol.

where the luminaire is connected, a Back-End Protocol, such as 0-10V or DMX512 is used to dim the luminaire.

The place where the Front-End and the Back-End connect is the Networking of an NLC and where the BAS integration interface lives, between the NLC and the BAS.

Additionally, BAS protocols are not “plug-and-play” protocols: protocols that let you connect devices without programming afterwards; rather, they require skilled technicians to program and commission – also known as Integrators. An Integrator is oftentimes a service technician for the lighting control manufacturer, the cost of which is rolled into the price of the lighting control system, but they can also be a dealer or sub-contractor that is a third-party to the manufacturer, and therefore not included in the price of the system. When putting together a bid, check to make sure that the BAS integration is included in the bill of materials from the manufacturer, otherwise you may

need to hire a third-party to provide this service. A dedicated Integrator for the BAS is essential, but sometimes even with an Integrator for the BAS a second Integrator is required for the NLC, even if most lighting control systems can function as soon as they are connected.

The reason for this additional Integrator is because a BAS protocol is often an Object-Oriented protocol whereas NLC protocols are often Procedure-Oriented. I won’t belabor the differences between the two, as that can be its own research paper, but here’s a simple breakdown:

BAS, but there still needs to be a programmer for the NLC to identify which devices are communicating with the BAS, hence the second Integrator. This need still applies to lighting control systems that are “Bacnet native” because all this term means is that they have a device that speaks Bacnet, but there is still a lot of additional programming required to connect a Bacnet native NLC to a Bacnet system.

Networked Lighting Control systems on their own often require “quick and dirty” programming, while a Building Automation System will often require deliberate and specific programming. The choice to make NLCs this way means installation time is quicker, more efficient, and can be more easily programmed, but it does increase the install and programming time of the integration with a BAS.

So back to our scenario, the best practice for a contractor to ensure integration between an NLC and Bacnet is to:

1. Provide an effective NLC with Bacnet integration capabilities (or “native Bacnet”). Not all lighting control systems have this capability.

2. Identify which devices on the NLC the Bacnet system is integrating with.

3. Identify which devices on the Bacnet system the NLC is integrating with.

4. Identify which NLC devices will be communicating with the Bacnet system.

Here’s an example: you are programming an occupancy sensor to control a space on an NLC that uses a Procedure-Oriented protocol. You want a group of occupancy sensors to control the lighting in a space, and so you assign them to that space (Space 1 in this example). Then you assign a room controller to the same space as the occupancy sensors where it will listen for the command “Space 1 is Occupied” from any sensor, then turn the lighting on and keep it on as long as that command is present. Once the sensors timeout or the command “Space 1 is Occupied” is no longer sent, the room controller will turn the lighting off. The shared group “Space 1” and the procedure “Occupied” are what define the action taken.

Looking at the same scenario with a BAS that uses an Object-Oriented protocol, each occupancy sensor must be identified with a unique identifier, such as “Occ1_Space1,” “Occ2_Space1,” etc. and given parameters “Occupied” and “Vacant.” Additionally, the room controller needs an identifier “RoomController1_Space1” and parameters “Lighting On,” “Lighting Off.” Then, the parameters of each occupancy sensor and the room controller need to be associated, so that when “Occ1_Space1” is in an “Occupied” state, “RoomController1_ Space1” activates the “Lighting On” parameter. This is a gross oversimplification of the programming that goes into each device on a BAS, but suffice it to say, a BAS protocol is more complex than an NLC’s protocol. There is a good reason for this, as Building Automation Systems require a robust programming language to be able to coordinate between multiple unrelated systems, but as a result it is not as simple to set up as an NLC.

NLC’s will often use their own Back-End protocol between their devices and a protocol interface to communicate with the BAS protocol. The devices on the NLC still need to be defined in the BAS, but only for simple cross-communication purposes, such as sharing an occupancy sensor. This way, the whole NLC does not need to be defined in the BAS, and so programming takes less time to complete. It’s typical that the BAS Integrator, hired by the contractor in charge of the BAS system, will do this work since they are already programming everything else in the

5. Hire an Integrator for the NLC programming, which can oftentimes be the lighting control manufacturer’s service technician. Confirm with the manufacturer that their service technicians can and will provide the BAS integration.

6. Identify who the Integrator for the BAS is and who is responsible for hiring them.

7. Coordinate the programming of both the NLC and the BAS so that when the integration happens, both Integrators are on site and communicating.

NLCs are growing in complexity, and it may be that one day the above steps will become commonplace for all projects. But, as with any lighting controls system, careful and deliberate planning are the best way to ensure that your project is a success. ■

Lighting Controls Association: The Lighting Controls Association (LCA), a council of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), is dedicated to educating the professional building design, construction, and management communities about lighting control technology, application, and benefits.

The Lighting Controls Podcast: A podcast to promote the adoption of advanced lighting control systems. Lighting controls specialists Ron Kuszmar and Webster Marsh discuss the intricacies and unique challenges of lighting controls for commercial and integrated architectural projects.

WHAT'S NEW

common LED driver SKUs more versatile by giving them tunable white capability. The CCT Mixer integrates seamlessly with commonly stocked single channel, 0-10V, CC drivers to give them plug and play tunable functionality. The controller is selectable between tunable white and warm dim functions with a simple switch, saving time that would otherwise be spent programming and configuring a tunable white driver. Higher lumen outputs and longer runs are also achievable since a single device provides 0-10V control to 2 drivers, which can be up to 100W each. For tunable fixtures which require >50W, the CCT Mixer design reduces the number of costly tunable white drivers that are required.

Charge at ease with Leviton’s new EV Series Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, available in 32A, 40A, and 80A options. With an industry standard SAE J1772™ cable, the EV Series can charge any electric vehicle. The chargers work with the My Leviton App via Wi-Fi, notifying you when your station is ready to charge, in an active charging session, and when charging is complete. They feature a water-resistant enclosure rated NEMA Type 3R and a cable designed to prevent freezing and cracking in extreme weather, enabling both indoors and outdoors installations.

The New Orleans 2.0 from Visionaire Lighting is a new decorative, high-performance and dark sky-friendly LED uplight. Available in more than 10 optical distributions, the hard top fixture features exceptional lamp life, boasting up to 150,000 hours. The fixture offers three varieties of globes and three cast aluminum capitals and is available with filigree band and cage. Buyers can choose from several decorative cap-and-holder combinations and smooth, fluted or leaf patterns. The fixture has a windowed door for internal twist lock photocell receptacle and presents 3K, 4K and 5K light color temperature.

EiKO expands its LED T8 Lamp while helping customers decrease their inventory footprint with its new CCT selectable LED T8 Type B Tubes, available in 2', 3', and 4' lengths. Offering five CCT options in one lamp (3000K, 3500K, 4000K, 5000K, and 6500K), these T8 lamps make it easy to match the CCT during installation in the field. Being DLC listed and providing up to 57% energy savings, they’re the definition of versatility packed with energy-saving performance, making them the optimum choice for every project.

Filamento presents the VALTO Series Hybrid LED It has a full UL listing for operation with any type of magnetic ballast, as well as universal line voltage. The patented heat sink design eliminates the need for a fan, ensuring reliability. Patent-pending optics and micro-baffle technology minimize glare to a very low UGRAVE<15. Uplight is available via an easy installable accessory. The VALTO is capable of operating almost anywhere with all types of magnetic ballasts, a ballast bypass, or as a fully enclosed fixture, to a high ambient temperature of 65ºC.

Espen Technology features an impressive line of EV charging solutions, ideal for both residential and commercial use. They offer three Level 2 charger options, ranging from 32A to 80A, and four Level 3 chargers, ranging from 30kW to 180kW. High efficiency, advanced thermal management, increased life, and versatility in form create the ultimate EV charger systems for today’s most advanced electrical vehicles and power grid. Stringent component qualification and quality control guarantee a long life and increased overall system longevity. Espen’s EV chargers are designed and perfected with pride in the United States.

The SelectDrive PAR38 HO from GREEN CREATIVE is the first selectable lumen output PAR38 with 277V capability. Generating up to 2,500 lumens, the lamps are suitable to replace 250W halogen light sources. Featured with SelectDrive technology with 3-level power output options, the PAR38 HO lamps cover numerous SKUs at greatly reduced stock management cost and provide better flexibility of adjustable lumens to clients in the field. Options of four color temperatures and two beam angles are available for retrofitting in most general lighting applications.

CRISIS AVERTED

By Randy Reid with Parker Allen

Photo Credit: IntelliSafe IAQ

Last fall, a student at a Kinnelon public school in New Jersey contracted COVID. But, parents of students at the school never received notification of the school closing. Why? Because the school didn't have to close. An IntelliSafe IAQ UVC-based disinfection system was commissioned the day prior. When the students and staff left that day, the school enabled the disinfection system throughout the building, and everyone was able to return the following day. No additional cases were reported.

The pandemic woke many of us up to the importance of disinfection and the need to keep our common spaces clean. Although the pandemic is no longer raging the way it was two years ago, the lessons learned have not been forgotten. When the White House issued the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge, a “call to action for organizational leaders and building owners and operators of

all types to assess their indoor air quality and make ventilation, air filtration, and air cleaning improvements to help keep building occupants safe", the decision makers at Kinnelon Public Schools reached out to IntelliSafe IAQ to find a way to keep their over 1650 students and staff safe.

According to Mike Tucker, CEO of IntelliSafe, school leaders sought a solution that would do the following:

• Provide immediate protection against SARSCoV-2, as well as future-ready improvements to indoor air quality.

• Utilize existing electrical distribution with simple and affordable installation.

• Ensure safe and effective disinfection in occupied spaces.

Clean Air in Buildings Challenge: a call to action for organizational leaders and building owners and operators of all types to assess their indoor air quality and make ventilation, air filtration, and air cleaning improvements to help keep building occupants safe.

Photo Credit: IntelliSafe IAQ

IntelliSafe IAQ’s solution satisfied all of these requirements. They focus on overall indoor air quality, which has several components. Pathogens (such as SARS-CoV-2), excess particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) contribute to poor air quality and a greater likelihood of illnesses and other negative health effects. IntelliSafe’s technology reduces the amount of active viruses in a space while simultaneously reducing PM and VOC levels.

IntelliSafe’s devices use a two-pronged approach with 4 layers of disinfection technology. During the day, when occupants are present, the UV-assisted air purification system is operating, performing the ASHRAE-recommended 2+ air changes per hour. An internal fan system draws air into the unit through a HEPA filter to remove particulate matter. Air is then subjected to high-intensity UVC light to kill any pathogens present. On outtake, air passes through an active carbon filter to remove VOCs and, as an added bonus, odors. Incorporated into the devices are occupancy sensors from McWong, powered by Casambi. The sensors make certain that the devices are only operating when and where they need to be.

In the early hours each morning, each room undergoes whole-room direct UVC treatment to disinfect both surface-level and airborne pathogens. The units bathe the room in 254-nm UV light, and the occupancy sensors shut off the units if anyone unexpectedly enters the room.

Alan Bresett, Educational Facilities Manager at Kinnelon Public Schools, voiced his satisfaction with the disinfection solution, explaining that the devices provide “a visual piece of mind for students, staff and

parents knowing the air is being filtered while the space is occupied, disinfected while not occupied.”

IntelliSafe installed over 300 fixtures throughout the district – 2 in each classroom, and more in larger spaces like the cafeteria, weightroom, and computer labs. The devices, manufactured in Minnesota, were easily installed alongside the existing lighting without additional wiring. The maintenance is miniminal, requiring the annual replacement of the HEPA and carbon filters. Because the lamps are turned on and off only when they need to be, they last much longer – 3 to 5 years for the internal lamps that operate during the day, and 10-12 years for the external lamps that operate at night. The solution will serve the school for years to come.

This is just the beginning for IntelliSafe IAQ, an offshoot of PureTek Group (formerly Pure Lighting). CMO Dan Litvin explained, “We are receiving more inquiries about this technology now than during the height of the pandemic. There is a huge push for indoor air quality improvements.” They are working to give users the ability to monitor and control their devices remotely from a central platform, providing even more precise control over when and where the units are operating. And, they are looking into 222-nm far UVC devices, which can be employed even when occupants are present. This means fewer school closures. This means fewer colds caught from a coworker who showed up to work with a cough. This is great news for everyone who works or learns in a shared space.

■

Dan Litvin talks about what IntelliSafe IAQ has planned for the future.

Dan Litvin explains how the Intellisafe IAQ Hybrid Series devices work.

VALUE

The of Small Projects

By Parker Allen

After graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in electrical engineering, Jack spent 23 years working with the New York Power Authority, helping create and run the $100M annual Energy Services Program. He then moved from the public to the private sector, serving as the Director of Business Development for AECOM. He spent time at EnerPath and Lime Energy before joining the team at Facility Solutions Group (FSG) in August 2015. His wealth of knowledge of the energy efficiency industry, combined with experience in business development and team leadership, perfectly positioned him to help FSG find a successful niche in the utility programs market.

He and his team at FSG compete for business from utilities that put out RFPs (requests for proposal) for energy efficiency programs. Utility companies file every 3 to 5 years for these programs with local public service commissions and include a budget to achieve a specific goal of energy usage reductions. The utilities must reinvest the money in energy efficiency, renewables, and other carbon reduction efforts, so they turn to companies like FSG to implement these programs.

FSG provides comprehensive turnkey services for those programs, from the initial audit of the facility to the installation of new equipment. They complete an energy assessment of the customer’s facility, develop a scope of work, supply the necessary materials, and engage local contractors to install the project. Their jobs often focus on upgrading the lighting of a building but can include HVAC and any other mechanical system that impacts its energy consumption.

The size of the job can vary greatly, from several thousand dollars to multi-million-dollar projects. Usually, the threshold for eligibility for a program is based on peak energy demand which dictates the size of the project.

FSG has found a niche with those small projects, and they have created an efficient, sustainable business model to continue to win these types of jobs. Small businesses are often overlooked for energy efficiency

projects because the size of the job is typically not enticing to contractors. In order to do it well, you must have the right structure and business plan in place. While the size of these jobs is smaller than the typical energy retrofit project, the volume of projects is much higher. As an example, Jack estimates that in South Carolina, FSG completes 70 to 80 small business energy retrofits per month. So, efficiency and proper planning are crucial to making this a successful market for them.

The process typically begins with identifying potential customers. Some programs provide a list of eligible customers, but not all do. FSG has an inside sales team responsible for reaching out to the customers and local sales reps that will eventually call on these potential customers to pursue the opportunity. When a job is won, FSG works with local contractors to complete it. They must have dedicated teams of contractors, because these projects typically require installation and completion within 30 to 45 days of when the customer signs a contract.

Given the amount of jobs and the time constraints, FSG must operate in the most economical way possible. They must have efficient distribution in place to get energy efficiency products to the job site in a timely manner. The logistics of these smaller projects is also crucial. They want both their sales personnel and contractors to be able to maximize their time, so they make every effort to streamline prospecting and outreach efforts and installations by bundling customers geographically.

Success in this market requires optimal efficiency and planning as well as an intimate knowledge of the local markets and programs. It is a difficult task, and Jack and FSG have mastered it. ■

Photo Credit: FSG

Photo Credit: FSG

HOW CONTROLS CAN SOLVE COLOR-MATCHING ISSUES CREATED BY VALUE ENGINEERING

By Randy Reid

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock - murattellioglu

During most of my career, matching the color of lights has always posed an issue. It started with metal halide lamps. A GE MVR400 had a different color from the Philips MH400/U. A contractor had to ensure that all the metal halide lamps came from the same manufacturer. Of course, even the same lamps by the same manufacturer could still vary in color, so it was important that the metal halide lamps were all manufactured in the same batch. In addition, most end users did not replace all their lamps at the same time, so new lamps and aged lamps, even from the same company, would have different colors. The same thing was true with fluorescent. It was a mess!

Today, we have luminaires that are designed to have different colors. With RGBW, it is as Yogi Berra once said, “Deja vu all over again.”

John Busch, Regional Manager for Leviton, shared a valuable tip for matching colors – something simple that had never occurred to me.

Leviton sold the controls on a major theme park hotel job in Carlsbad, CA. A lighting designer specified several high-end luminaires, and the job became value-engineered. While value engineering can work on many jobs, it is not always a good idea, especially where color is involved. Different fixtures rated for 3000K may look different. When red, green and blue are thrown into the mix, things can get messy. It is one thing to control the color temperature and quite another to control the hue.

With different luminaires from 6 different manufacturers, some specified, others not, there was a real problem in matching colors. The lobby, restaurant and play areas all had different luminaire brands. Normally, one would use two 0-10v systems, one for the intensity and the other for shifting the white. But, sometimes one needs to control the hue as well as the color temperature. This is where DMX came in. DMX allows the color of each luminaire to be individually tuned to match the other luminaires. Although DMX is more expensive than 0-10v, it solved the color matching issue for this hotel.

Solving color issues caused by value engineering shows the value of bringing in a professional company like Leviton that worked with almost all manufacturers and has extensive experience with getting different luminaires to work together on the same system.

John also shared that there are no steadfast rules when it comes to dimming preferences. My belief is that ALL restaurants want slow and warm dimming to set the proper mood, but John explained that is not always the case. “Some restaurants may want slow

bit of a jolt from their lighting, which can be an unconscious trigger encouraging guests to leave, and this helps them turn their tables faster. "

and warm dimming during a portion of the evening, but in their busy times, they may want a bit of a jolt from their lighting, which can be an unconscious trigger encouraging guests to leave, and this helps them turn their tables faster.” If you can turn a table five times instead of four, you can increase revenue by 20%. That is huge!

This is where Leviton’s Sapphire Touch Screens come into play. Sapphire Touch Screens allow staff to create customized scenes and schedules to adjust to predetermined lighting levels based on the time of day, all the while providing energy savings. John further explained, “The staff can easily override the predetermined scenes when needed.”

On slow nights guests can linger all they want, but when the line is out the door, it might be time for the manager to touch that Sapphire screen and increase top line revenue. ■

"Some restaurants may want slow and warm dimming during a portion of the evening, but in their busy times, they may want a

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock - danr13

Photo Credit: Adobe stock - Travel mania

A stable supply chain is a welcome change but it will come at a cost.

HAS A COST

It’s a new year, and many people look at it as a fresh start for goals and resolutions. For the supply chain, however, a revolution around the sun does not change anything. Going into 2023, the supply chain is still recovering and weathering the storm of 2022. Demand is still softening, and freight volume has decreased, resulting in more available containers and more reliable lead times at the cost of economic activity. With that being said, 2023 is likely to play out differently than 2022.

Inflation is playing, a significant role in affecting consumer habits. Record-high inflation has led to a decrease in consumer spending, a trend expected to continue in 2023. This period of soft demand follows a period of incredibly high demand, causing many businesses to have excess inventory. This may lead to a deflationary effect on some goods as businesses lower prices to normalize inventory levels. As a result of excess inventory, businesses are likely to reduce the level at which they manufacture and/or

import, leading to less congestion and strain on the supply chain.

Another factor leading to excess inventory? Many businesses responded to the long lead times of the past few years by stockpiling. This reduction in demand and consumer spending brings the supply chain back to equilibrium.

Geopolitical conflicts will continue to add a high degree of uncertainty in business operations. Major trade routes will likely suffer if conflict escalates. This may lead to a reshoring trend among manufacturers as a way to make the manufacturing and transportation of goods more reliable. If the practice of reshoring increases, the strain on ocean and air freight will be reduced.

2023 may very well be an inverse of 2022, which saw high demand in the first half and low demand in the second. In the coming year, demand may not pick up until the second half. ■

By Jacob Wright

NEW CERTIFICATION

Certified Apprentice Lighting Technician ™

Clear Blue Energy Corp.

Juan C. Zavaleta, CALT Colorado Lighting, Inc. Heidi White, CALT

Energy Economic Development Corp.

Denise Sonnenberg, CALT Energy Management Collaborative Stephanie Kinney, CALT Crystal Bethel, CALT Patrick Allen Christner, CALT Alexandra F. Epperly, CALT

Facility Solutions Group

Jessica Aina, CALT Marissa Casamassima, CALT Morgan Hasic, CALT Jerri Morgan, CALT Paul Riese, CALT Kevin Tran, CALT

Joshua Umana, CALT Allison Wilson, CALT Adrian Jinuane Fleeks, CALT Nick Pham, CALT

Fluoresco Services, LLC

Roberto Rodriguez, CALT Grid Savvy

Michael Bady, CALT Lighting Technologies, Inc. Joe Gitau, CALT

M&M Lighting LLC

Mario Arosemena, CALT Alex Ramirez, CALT Nick Shaiyah, CALT

Elliot Valdez, CALT Irvin Valdez, CALT Ivan Valdez, CALT Kyle Zempich, CALT

RAM Electrical Contractors Inc

Yvonne Ramirez Galvan, CALT SitelogIQ Antwain Brown, CALT Sonepar/World Electric Randall Moore, CALT

Soulful Synergy LLC

John Antionio Candanedo, CALT Streamlinx

Ashley Fox, CALT Vista Universal, Inc.

Darius Mikell, CALT Kapuha Sablan, CALT

Willdan Energy Solutions

Khamani Gregory, CALT Elijah Lashawn Lesane, CALT Antwon McIntosh, CALT Jack Eugene Price, Jr., CALT Damain O. Reece, CALT Barrington Thompson, CALT

Stephanie Rose Almodovar, CALT Jhonatan J. Alvizurez Melendez, CALT Alyanna Argueza, CALT

Joseph Ayon, CALT

Jacqueline Bonilla, CALT

Maeve Byrne, CALT Karief Corey Cain, CALT Alex Jose Cordero, Sr., CALT Kellee Cox, CALT King W. Cox, CALT

Roberto Doroteo, Jr., CALT Evelyn Duran, CALT Daniel Flamhaft, CALT Jonathan Galeano, CALT Albert Galvan, CALT Salvador A. Gonzalez, CALT Shelby Renee Gonzalez, CALT Chris Green, CALT Rayquan A. Harding, CALT Alaa Sayed Mahmoud Hasan, CALT Gonzalo Isaza, CALT Robert John Lopez, CALT Maria C. Marquez, CALT David Martin, CALT Jeff Mclaughlin, CALT Kyla McNair, CALT Eric Minerd, CALT Josue Neri, CALT Irina Oscal, CALT Marvin Esau Oscal, CALT Matt Regner, CALT Josephine Y. Rios, CALT Moises Rosales, CALT Nicholas Rugulo, CALT Jami Barnhill Snow, CALT David Sparber, CALT Lawrence Anthony Speaks, CALT Christopher Bennie Trailer-Brown, CALT Janet J. Vega, CALT Raymond Wong, CALT Guang Yang, CALT Mario Abraham Alvarado, CALT Richard Grayson Atkins, CALT

World Electric Supply Daniel Loshkarev, CALT YESCO

Brandon Crossley, CALT Tyler Nepa, CALT

Francisco Javier Alcaraz, CALT Tiffany Bianca Alvarez, CALT Adrienne Yvette Barajas, CALT Adam Botz, CALT Kip R. Campbell, III, CALT

Garrett D. Chambers, CALT

Warren Conant, CALT

Andrew Cordeiro, CALT

Justin Curry, CALT

Fiona Davies, CALT

Evan M. Denlinger, CALT

John R. Finnegan, CALT

Matt Nicholas Jensen, CALT

Ethan Koenigshofer, CALT

Kristina Lear, CALT

Christine Mallula, CALT

Patrick Morales, CALT

Patricio Pacheco, CALT

Juan C. Pino, CALT

Andrew Rodriguez, CALT

Tyler Alan Stadler, CSLT

Nicholas Stern, CALT

Noel Valle, CALT

Rollindo Voight, CALT

Kyle Gene Watts, CALT

Eric

GUV hands-on training

There is an immediate need for certified installers and maintenance technicians for germicidal UV [GUV]. NALMCO recognized this need for the industry and is working with experts to develop GUV certifications alongside NALMCO's lighting industry certifications. www.nalmco.org/certifications

At the NALMCO spring seminar on March 7, 2023, NALMCO will offer two GUV hands-on training sessions. There will be an introduction and history of GUV followed by applications, layout/design, installation, commissioning and performance testing. This will be followed with maintaining installed systems, routine maintenance, and SAFETY! The last part of the training will be hands-on training with GUV fixtures, test equipment and troubleshooting systems.

NALMCO is excited to offer this GUV training and certification opportunity alongside our spring seminar.

• Learning Lab: Hendricks C – Acuity Brands Lighting • Learning Lab: Hendricks D – EIKO • Learning Lab: Hendricks E – ESPEN • Learning Lab: Hadley Ballroom 2– Linmore LED • Learning Lab: Hadley Ballroom 3 - Snapcount

Hendricks C,D,E Hadley 2, 3

By Randy Reid

1:00 PM – 3:30 PM General and Associates Members Tour of Indianapolis Motor Speedway Indianapolis Motor Speedway 4:00 PM Board Shuttle from TBD 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Reception at Howl at the Moon (All Attendees) Off-Site, Howl at the Moon 8:30 PM Board Shuttle and back to Hotel (All attendees)

Learning Labs Part II Labs run concurrently for 25-minute increments, with a 10-minute change between rooms so that each “exhibitor” presents a lab 5 times, and each attendee has time to participate in all 5 labs.

8:00 AM – 10:45 AM

• Learning Lab: Hendricks C-Avi-On/Trane

• Learning Lab: Hendricks D –LEDVANCE

• Learning Lab: Hendricks E –Lutron

• Learning Lab: Hadley Ballroom 2–Light Pole Systems

• Learning Lab: Hadley Ballroom 3 - Retrolux

Hendricks C,D,E Hadley 2, 3 8:00 AM – 8:25 AM First Lab Session 8:25 AM – 8:35 AM Rotate 8:35 AM – 9:00 AM Second Lab Session 9:00 AM – 9:10 AM Rotate 9:10 AM – 9:35 AM Third Lab Session 9:35 AM – 9:45 AM Rotate 9:45 AM – 10:10 AM Fourth Lab Session 10:10 AM – 10:20 AM Rotate 10:20 AM – 10:45 AM Fifth Lab Session 10:45 AM – 10:55 AM Rotate to closing session Hendricks A 10:55 AM – 11:30 AM Closing Session, Optional Box Lunch Hendricks A

Tour

LEDVANCE has graciously offered to pay for attendees to tour the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The museum tour will be self-guided, between 1 and 1½ hours. We will also participate in a 30-minute, narrated Kiss the Bricks tour. This consists of one lap around the actual Indianapolis famed 2.5-mile oval track and photo opportunity at the start/finish line

Fees: Before Feb. 20: General member, $350 Associate Member, non-member, $450 On/After Feb. 20 , prices will increase by $100.

Registration is open on the new website . Additional information can be found here .

Sponsored by

Photo Credit: Adobe stock - Mathias Weil

UP CLOSE WITH MONICA KRISTO

During a post-college hunt for a “real job”, Monica Kristo answered a classified ad in the local newspaper for a customer service role for a family-run lighting company in the Minneapolis area. Monica landed the job, not knowing a thing about the lighting industry. It turned out to be the perfect place to learn the ins and outs of a small business, and to learn all about lighting. It was small enough to get hands-on training – not just in customer service, but also accounts receivable, payables, and data entry. Monica fell in love with lighting. She knew then that she could never leave it! She later moved on to a larger lighting company in town that was looking to grow. And there was lots of growth – by the time she left, the business had tripled in revenue, and Monica’s role had grown to Vice President.

In 2014, Monica took the plunge as an entrepreneur, starting her own company, the woman-owned business Rea Lighting, with her fiancé and master electrician, George, at her side. Her biggest challenge? “It was scary moving from the security of getting a regular, good paycheck to…nothing!” Monica’s established relationships, built over the prior years in the local community, were key to the success of her new business. She is someone who knows how to solve a customer’s problem, helping them with whatever they need.

Monica’s father, a first-generation immigrant from Sweden, who has since passed away, warned: “You’re never going to make any money selling light bulbs!” Happily, Monica has proved him wrong – Rea Lighting has grown to 9 employees, doing commercial and industrial work and handling everything from audits to installation, including a lot of service work for multilocation customers. As for the current challenges, Monica sees the ongoing labor and material shortages as the biggest issue.

Monica credits her involvement in NALMCO as a significant factor in her company’s growth, noting that joining NALMCO was one of the first things she did after establishing her own company. “It’s really important to get involved, to go the conference and

not be a wall-flower!” She notes that the connections and the networking have been so valuable – “We help each other out.” Monica has been deeply involved in NALMCO since joining – first on the Membership committee, then joining the NALMCO Board of Directors in 2019. She has been chairing the Program committee and will move to chairing the Membership committee this year.

Asked what her advice would be to young people considering our industry, Monica is effusive: “Yes, do it – get into the lighting business! The lighting industry needs to get to students while they are in tech school. I tell them about NALMCO’s first level certifications that can be taken while getting their hours in for journeyman or master electrician.” She notes the expanding areas of opportunity - not just commercial and industrial lighting, but also EV charging, horticulture, UVC, human-centric and solar.

One of Monica’s proudest accomplishments was her work with a team of NALMCO Certification committee volunteers to refresh the content for the CLMC (Certified Lighting Management Consultant) Certification Program. “It was a huge job, but really cool – editing and updating the hundreds of questions with all the technology changes.” The group members were surprised and delighted to be recognized for their work, receiving an award at the recent Annual Convention in Arizona. Monica is very excited about the upcoming 2023 Annual Conference, which will mark NALMCO’s 70th Anniversary.

What is Monica up to when not working on her own business or NALMCO? Spending time with family and friends at the cabin where Monica loves to entertain, to cook – “and everybody gets to bring their dogs.” Only about an hour’s drive from home, the cabin is “really casual, really fun” with a pontoon, fishing gear, WaveRunners, and a huge smoker – big enough to fit a dozen briskets. Monica’s 16-year-old son now loves to cook, too, making the rub and doing most of the smoking. At work or at play, Monica continues to create a lively, learning-filled environment!

By Shirley Coyle, LC

W H A T I S I T ?

This program recognizes excellence in lighting retrofit projects – defined as those projects involving minimum alteration of existing building materials. Through the creative use of lighting systems and controls, these projects should illustrate the value of lighting, including but not limited to improved visual performance, promotion of health and wellness, environmental impact including reduced light pollution/preservation of nighttime lighting quality, enhanced safety and security, and increased overall occupant satisfaction

W H O C A N N O M I N A T E ?

Anyone may enter a project for the Lighting Transformation Awards, and there are no fees for entry. Projects should have been completed within the 2021, 2022 and 2023 calendar years. Submissions should be entered via the designated online submittal form and completed no later than August 1, 2023.

T H O R O U G H N E S S I N D E T E R M I N I N G R E T R O F I T D E S I G N O P T I O N S D O C U M E N T E D I M P R O V E M E N T I N L I G H T I N G Q U A L I T Y E N E R G Y E F F E C T I V E N E S S U N I V E R S A L I T Y S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y S P E C I A L C R E D I T F O R E X T R A C H A L L E N G E S A N D P R O J E C T I M P A C T