4 minute read
A Brighter Future
Colorado Lighting, Inc. Upgrades Kepner Beacon Middle School
By Parker Allen
Images courtesy of Colorado Lighting, Inc.
For many years, Colorado Lighting, Inc. (CLI) has partnered with Denver Public Schools (DPS) to provide high-quality lighting solutions. Recently, CLI undertook a significant project, prompted by a request for proposals (RFP) from DPS, to overhaul the lighting at nearly 140 schools across the district. The project aimed to modernize the facilities, increase energy efficiency, and address pressing safety concerns.
CLI’s extensive experience with the district made them the ideal candidate for the job. They were contracted to assess the facilities, design an upgraded lighting system, and manage the installation process. The project was carried out in seven distinct bundles.
Bundles 1-6: Focusing on Energy Efficiency
The first six bundles were primarily focused on interior lighting upgrades. These upgrades were energy-related, with the goal of converting outdated, legacy lighting systems to modern LED technology. The upgrades were aligned with the district's bond requirements, ensuring energy savings were a key component in securing bond funding for the project.
Bundle 7: A Shift to Safety and Security
The seventh and final bundle took a different focus, addressing exterior lighting issues at 25 schools. The upgrades prioritized safety and security concerns, as many of the schools had inadequate exterior lighting, posing safety risks. Although the energy savings from LED conversions were still a benefit, the primary goal of this phase was to improve visibility and safety around the school campuses.
One of the schools included in this final phase was Kepner Beacon Middle School. Kepner primarily serves economically disadvantaged students in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood on the city’s southwest side.
A Comprehensive Approach to Lighting Design
Before starting the installations, CLI conducted a thorough pre-assessment, which involved taking detailed foot-candle readings of light levels, photographing the facilities, and even utilizing drone technology to capture aerial views of the campus. They complemented their on-site assessment with discussions with school staff, who were able to identify areas of specific concern.
The goal was to create a comprehensive design plan for the school, identifying areas that needed improvement and proposing solutions, including where new lights and wall packs should be installed to enhance visibility.
A key challenge CLI faced was the assortment of lighting fixtures that existed at the school. Over the years, as lights failed, they were replaced with whatever was available, resulting in a lack of standardization. CLI sought to address this by streamlining the types of fixtures, improving the aesthetics and making maintenance and future upgrades easier.
The district had already begun experimenting with corn cob lights in some fixtures, but CLI discouraged their use in favor of more efficient, purpose-built LED fixtures. CLI installed lumen and color-selectable fixtures from Keystone Technologies, setting them to a standard color temperature of 3000K. This choice was made with environmental considerations in mind. 3000K has become the standard color temperature for CLI’s projects in the region, particularly in areas concerned with light pollution.
CLI also worked with the local utility to take advantage of prescriptive rebates available for energy-efficient lighting upgrades, reducing the project’s overall cost.
A Long-Term Partnership
CLI’s work with DPS spanned an 18-month period, from the initial pre-assessments to the final installations and commissioning. The company’s dedicated audit team performed the assessments, ensuring that each school received the appropriate lighting solutions. Throughout the project, CLI partnered with manufacturers known for their reliability and history in the industry, ensuring the longevity and quality of the installed fixtures.
As DPS continues to prioritize safety and energy efficiency in its schools, CLI remains a trusted partner in delivering innovative, sustainable lighting solutions that meet the district’s needs.
