Submittals for Commercial Lighting

Submittals for commercial lighting projects

Quick answer: A commercial submittal packet is the documentation set used for review and approval before procurement and installation. Typical inclusions are cut sheets, listings/certifications, DLC IDs (when applicable), IES files (when applicable), and controls information such as dimming method and sequence requirements. This page outlines what’s included, what we need from you, and how to request submittal support.

Planning note: Submittals move fastest when the fixture type and configuration are already “locked.” If you’re still finalizing fixture selection or compliance-driven requirements, start with the appropriate buying guide before you request submittals:

Commercial ceiling lighting systems buying guide (panels, troffers, recessed, linear fixtures)
High bay lighting layout planning buying guide (mounting height, lumens, beam angles, layout)
Commercial site lighting buying guide (area, canopy, flood, wall packs)
Exit & emergency lighting compliance buying guide (NFPA/testing and documentation planning)

What submittals are

Submittals are the review package used to confirm product selection, compliance, and installation requirements before ordering and field work begins. In commercial projects, submittals reduce schedule risk by ensuring the approved product configuration matches the specification intent.

Best practice: Treat the submittal as a configuration control document—once approved, it becomes the reference for procurement, installation, and closeout.

Purpose: document what is being supplied and confirm it meets project requirements.
Use: approval routing for contractors, engineers, and facility stakeholders.
Outcome: fewer substitutions, fewer surprises, and cleaner closeout documentation.

Where buying guides help: If “what to spec” is still changing (fixture type, distribution, mounting height, or compliance constraints), use the relevant buying guide first so the submittal packet reflects the final intent:

What’s included in a submittal packet

Submittal packets vary by fixture type and project requirements. When applicable and available from the manufacturer, a packet may include:

Submittal packet contents infographic showing cut sheets, listings and certifications, DLC IDs when applicable, IES files when applicable, controls notes, and warranty or closeout documents. — Standard submittal packet components used for review, approval, and documentation control.

Cut sheets: specifications, mounting details, electrical requirements, and options
Listings/certifications: UL/ETL listing details and location ratings (as applicable)
DLC IDs (when applicable): DLC qualification identifiers
IES files (when applicable): photometric data for modeling and layout documentation
Controls information: dimming method, driver details, and controls compatibility (as applicable)
Warranty documents: coverage details and terms (as applicable)

Scope note: Submittals document the approved configuration. If a fixture is selectable (wattage/CCT/optics), confirm which settings are intended for the project so the correct configuration is represented.

Configuration locking support: If the team is still validating the “right” fixture type or optics, use the corresponding guide before approval so the packet doesn’t need revision:

Ceiling lighting systems buying guide (typical interior ambient)
High bay layout planning buying guide (mounting height + beam angles)
Commercial site lighting buying guide (distribution/optics + compliance)
Exit & emergency compliance buying guide (testing + documentation expectations)

DLC IDs and qualification notes

DLC qualification can be required for certain incentives and program compliance. If your project requires DLC, include that requirement at intake so the correct product family and configuration are documented.

DLC ID relevance: ties the product to a qualified listing when applicable.
Configuration matters: options and selectable settings can affect qualification status.
Project requirement: if incentives are involved, confirm the program’s documentation rules.

Buying guide tie-in: DLC-related rework usually comes from selecting the wrong category/family or leaving configuration settings undefined. These guides help lock the correct scope before submittal approval:

IES files and photometric documentation

IES files are used for photometric modeling and layout verification. If your team needs IES files, specify the fixture configuration and optic/distribution selection so the correct file is provided when available.

Use cases: lighting layouts, point-by-point grids, average/minimum levels, and uniformity review
Key inputs: mounting height, spacing, area geometry, and constraints
Best practice: confirm assumptions match field conditions before approval

Common miss: If the optic/distribution or mounting height changes, the IES file used for approval may no longer represent the installed condition.

Helpful before requesting IES: These buying guides help confirm mounting height, beam angle, and distribution selection so the IES file matches what will be installed:

Photometrics guidance explains common deliverables and the inputs required for accurate results.

Controls information and sequence requirements

Controls documentation is most effective when the project states the required dimming method and the sequence expectations. If controls are involved, include the relevant controls narrative or the controls section of the project spec when available.

Controls sequence inputs flow infographic showing required inputs—dimming method, sensor strategy, schedule intent, areas covered, and owner constraints—mapped to documented control notes aligned to spec intent. — Providing these inputs prevents assumptions and keeps controls documentation aligned to the project’s specified intent.

Controls information typically documented (as applicable)

Dimming method: 0–10V, phase dimming, or other specified method
Driver compatibility: driver type and any restrictions
Sensor integration: occupancy/daylight strategies where applicable
Sequence expectations: basic control intent (e.g., occupancy behavior, daylight response, schedules)

Scope note: “Control sequences” are often project-specific. To avoid assumptions, provide the sequence narrative or the controls spec section whenever controls are a requirement.

Buying guide tie-in: Controls notes are cleaner when fixture type is correct for the application (office/classroom vs high bay vs exterior). Use the relevant guide if scope is still being refined:

What we need from you

To assemble submittals efficiently, provide the information below. If you don’t have all details, send what you know and mark unknowns as “TBD.”

Project name and location
Fixture schedule (preferred) or a clear list of required fixtures
Quantities and any alternates/substitutions
Configuration requirements: wattage/CCT/optics, voltage, mounting type
Compliance requirements: DLC, location rating, certifications/listings, or program rules
Controls requirements: dimming method and sequence narrative/spec section (if applicable)

If you’re still deciding configuration: Link the relevant guide (or note which one you’re using) so the selection intent is clear and we build the packet against the correct assumptions:

Document handling note: The form on our quote intake page does not support file uploads. If you need to send schedules, drawings, or spec sections, email them to support@starsandstripeslighting.com and include your project name in the subject line.

Review checklist

Use this checklist to confirm the submittal packet matches the project intent before approval.

Match the fixture schedule: types, quantities, and locations align with the schedule
Confirm configuration: voltage, mounting, selectable settings, optics/distribution
Verify compliance: listings/certifications, location ratings, DLC requirements (if applicable)
Confirm documentation needs: IES files, warranties, closeout requirements
Controls alignment: dimming method and sequence expectations match the controls narrative/spec

Guide support for review: If reviewers are questioning whether the selection fits the application (coverage, mounting height, distribution), reference the appropriate guide during review:

Common causes of rework

Selectable configurations not defined: wattage/CCT/optics not specified for the packet.
DLC requirements not stated early: incentive documentation needs discovered late.
Controls intent not provided: no controls narrative or spec section shared.
Mismatch with schedule: quantities, mounting types, or part families don’t align.
Late constraint discovery: environment rating or certification requirements found after ordering.

Prevention: Most rework is avoided by locking the correct fixture category and configuration first—use the relevant buying guide before resubmittal:

How to request submittal support

Submit your quote intake request and include “Submittals” in the message. List the fixtures, quantities, and any DLC/IES/controls requirements. If you have schedules, drawings, or spec sections, email them to support@starsandstripeslighting.com after submitting your request so we can match them to your project.

Tip: If you have a fixture schedule, include the schedule version/date so the packet matches the latest issued set.

Optional (helps routing): If your selection is based on one of our buying guides, mention which one in your request so the submittal packet aligns to the same assumptions:

If your submittal packet includes photometrics, controls documentation, or compliance requirements, these guides support review and approval.

Buying guides (spec + configuration references): Use these when reviewers need a category-level reference for selection decisions that drive submittals (optics, layout, compliance, documentation):

Frequently asked questions

What is included in a commercial submittal?

Typically cut sheets, listings/certifications, DLC IDs when applicable, IES files when applicable, controls information, and warranty documentation—based on the project requirements and manufacturer availability.

Do DLC IDs always apply?

No. DLC qualification depends on the product category and configuration. If incentives or program compliance are involved, specify that requirement at intake.

How do we request IES files?

Request IES files as part of the submittal needs and confirm the fixture configuration (including optic/distribution). For layout context and inputs, reference our photometrics guidance.

What do you need for control sequences?

Control sequences are project-specific. Provide the controls narrative or the controls section of the project specification to avoid assumptions about intent.

How do we send schedules and drawings if there is no upload?

Email documents to support@starsandstripeslighting.com and include your project name in the subject line so the documents can be matched to your request.

Which buying guide should we reference for submittals?

Use the guide that matches the application so the submittal packet reflects the correct selection logic:

These pages cover the steps that typically come before and after submittals in a commercial workflow.

Specification and planning guides: If fixture type or compliance requirements are still being finalized, use these first so the submittal packet is built against a stable, approved selection:

Submittals for Commercial Lighting