Depending on the location, having the right lighting installed could be very important to safety and productivity. When it comes to auto body shop lighting, we have put together a few suggestions to ensure you get the best lighting available.
Determine the needs of you location. For instance, if you're working with materials that could potentially create dangerous conditions, you probably need to look at lighting fixtures specifically designed for these applications. An great solution would be explosion proof lighting. These fixtures are ideal for areas working with spray paints, vapors and other chemicals, that could create dangerous outcomes such as fire, glass shattering and even explosion. So, to prevent these occurrences from potentially happening, invest in lighting specifically designed for these areas.
Consider upgrading your existing fixtures. Buying all new fixtures might not be within your budget. If this is the case, there are retrofit kits available that make updating your lighting to a more energy efficient option such as LED, which provides an easier, more budget-friendly solution than replacing the entire fixture. These kits are very easy install with some being pre-wired, so you don't have to rewire or reconfigure your existing fluorescent to a LED compatible solution. Your light output, or lumen output, could even be increased to over 50%, depending on the fixture.
If you're looking at overhauling your body shop's lighting system, you may not have to replace every single fixture one-for-one without the loss of light output. By updating you lighting fixtures with a more energy-efficient solution, you may be able to totally remove some fixtures. For example, when a space initially constructed, a lighting plan is developed to determine the specific lumens needed for that space. The number of lumens required doesn't change over time. So, if your new lighting solution has more lumen output by replacing all the fixtures, you're actually getting more lumens than you actually need. This allows you to redesign your lighting system with less fixtures, which would generate added electricity savings.
Before installing new LED lighting or retrofitting existing fixtures, know the regulations and electrical codes in your area. This will help you to avoid trouble later on. It is also important to know the requirements for body shop lighting in your state. Check with the NEC to ensure you are meeting the guidelines for safe lighting, especially if you're working with potentially hazardous materials such as those found in a spray paint booth.
