High bay light fixtures are used to provide general purpose lighting in buildings or rooms with high ceilings. They are often found in warehouses, athletic facilities, garages and storage buildings. Different types of high bay light fixtures can have a significant impact on the appearance and function of an area. Consider the building's lighting needs, as well as its operational and maintenance budget when selecting high bay light fixtures.
Instructions
1) Consider the design of each fixture. High bay lighting is typically available in pendant or linear forms. Pendants will take up more space and require a higher ceiling height than linear fixtures, which are only a few inches thick. Check to see if equipment or activities will interfere with these lights, and also whether ceiling height is sufficient to accommodate each type of fixture.
2) Review installation options. Some high bay fixtures can be quite heavy, and may require significant support from above. Compare your existing ceiling configuration with the installation requirements for each light to determine which fixture will work best.
3) Understand the different lighting technologies that are available. Traditional high bay fixtures use high-intensity discharge (HID) technology, and modern fixtures use fluorescent bulbs. According to Pacific Gas and Electric, fluorescent fixtures will cost about 50 percent less than HID fixtures in terms of annual operating costs. They also use less energy and have less of an impact on the environment.
4) Determine if warm-up time is a factor for your company. When an HID light is switched on, it takes about 10 minutes to warm up and provide light. Fluorescent lights switch on immediately. If your building experiences frequent power outages, or warm-up time is a concern, look for fluorescent fixtures.
5) Compare lighting power. HID lights can provide more light over a greater distance, and may be the better choice for rooms with very tall ceilings. Fluorescent lights work best at heights of around 15 feet and may not provide adequate lighting in very tall buildings.
6) Select the design that will work best for your facility. High bay lights can be protected by a lens or a wire cage, or may be left unprotected. Protected lights are safer from damage and are the better choice for rooms where equipment may come close to the lights. Unprotected lights offer a higher degree of lighting and are also more affordable. Consider unprotected lights for buildings where equipment and employees will never come close to the lights.
