One of the things observed during physical security surveys deals with the use of ordinary fluorescent lamps in cold climates either in open-to-the-weather parking areas, unheated underground parking garages or unheated residential garages. They flutter and sputter and quickly burnout. They provide poor security lighting for either pedestrian traffic or parked vehicles. Their support for CCTV is marginal to nonexistent.
For outdoor use the highly loaded High Output and Very High Output lamps are recommended because of their high lumen output. To maintain the high output in cold climates, the lamps must be enclosed, shifting the peak output to a lower ambient temperature.
Where it is necessary to operate lamps in cold weather without a surrounding enclosure the best results will be obtained from lamps marked ?FJ? either as a prefix or suffix. These lamps have an integral outer jacket and are specifically designed for use in low ambient temperatures.
Money is the main reason I?ve been given for not using ?FJ? lamps in cold environments. Another reason given, the building manager or homeowner never heard of these lamps.
In commercial establishments, lighting maintenance is normally the province of facilities management, who in many instances, will not pay for such lighting, as that is a security matter. Security managers are operating on tight budgets and are unwilling or unable to push for such a security upgrade. The fact of the matter is the ordinary lamp will not function properly in cold weather and quickly burnout. Replacing these lamps seems reasonable, not understanding that a slightly higher investment cost actually saves money when it comes to constant lamp replacement.
Those of us in the physical security survey business must include this matter on our surveys pointing out the ultimate cost savings. It should be included in the cost benefit analysis portion of the survey.
Enjoy the day,
Bill
For outdoor use the highly loaded High Output and Very High Output lamps are recommended because of their high lumen output. To maintain the high output in cold climates, the lamps must be enclosed, shifting the peak output to a lower ambient temperature.
Where it is necessary to operate lamps in cold weather without a surrounding enclosure the best results will be obtained from lamps marked ?FJ? either as a prefix or suffix. These lamps have an integral outer jacket and are specifically designed for use in low ambient temperatures.
Money is the main reason I?ve been given for not using ?FJ? lamps in cold environments. Another reason given, the building manager or homeowner never heard of these lamps.
In commercial establishments, lighting maintenance is normally the province of facilities management, who in many instances, will not pay for such lighting, as that is a security matter. Security managers are operating on tight budgets and are unwilling or unable to push for such a security upgrade. The fact of the matter is the ordinary lamp will not function properly in cold weather and quickly burnout. Replacing these lamps seems reasonable, not understanding that a slightly higher investment cost actually saves money when it comes to constant lamp replacement.
Those of us in the physical security survey business must include this matter on our surveys pointing out the ultimate cost savings. It should be included in the cost benefit analysis portion of the survey.
Enjoy the day,
Bill
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