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Tag: <span>office lighting</span>

Kirby ElectricBlogoffice lighting
12 Jul 2018
0 Comments By seo@bigfin.com Commercial Buildings, Commercial Lighting, Electric News, Electric Safety, Electricians, LED Lighting , , ,

What Causes Office Lights to Flicker?

Occasionally, offices can experience flickering lights. While this many appear normal, flickering lights can cause distractions. If this happens often, improper lighting can cause headaches, deplete energy, and eventually turn dim. Initially, why or how does this occur? Read on to discover why your office lights may be flickering.

One Bulb Flickering

Is there only one light that flickers in the office? LEDs and fluorescent lights tend to flicker more than other types of lightbulbs, therefore, it could be a normal issue. However, it does not hurt to be proactive. First, check if the light is screwed in or properly inserted in the light socket. Safely remove the lightbulb and screw it back in. If everything appears to be fine, the office light may be reaching the end of its lifespan. It may be time to invest in new LED lights.

Single Circuit Flickering

Flickering lights can also be a result of an overloaded circuit. Too many appliances plugged in on the same line can cause a power shortage. Plus, it could be possible the circuit wire is outdated. Typically, this issue commonly happens in old office buildings or residential homes that have outdated wiring that is not up to industry standards. If your office continues to experience flickering down the road, or the circuit breaker is not working properly, it may be time to hire a professional electrician for an inspection.

Office Building Flickering

Flickering lights that extend beyond a single room or circuit means there is a bigger issue to resolve. When an entire office experiences flickering lights, there could be a problem with the cable connections to an even larger power source. Protect your employees and office building by contacting a professional electrician to handle this large scale issue. Especially, since this problem can result to a fire hazard.

Contact Kirby Electric to Inspect Your Office Today

As Seattle’s premier electric company, Kirby Electric specializes in commercial and industrial electrical solutions. We provide top electrical services such as, lighting retrofits, emergency service repairs, preventative maintenance, and electrical inspections that best fit your building’s needs. Contact us today and request a quote at (253) 859-2000 or online here to learn more about our services.

12 Apr 2017
office lighting
0 Comments By seo@bigfin.com Commercial Buildings, Commercial Lighting, Electric Safety , , ,

Office Lighting: 4 Costly Mistakes to Avoid

As you may know, there are countless lighting options available and every office space has its own lighting needs. Unfortunately, there are common mistakes that people tend to make when it comes to lighting that works best for their own office environment. Here at Kirby Electric, our services will provide our customers with more efficient lighting, while making sure they save money every time the lights turn on. Read on to discover the four costly mistakes that people make when choosing office lighting and learn how to avoid them.

Choosing the Wrong Type of Office Lighting

When choosing lighting for an office space, one should keep in mind that not all areas of the office can rely on one standard type of lighting. For example, the entrance might require a different type of lighting compared to the receptionist area or the executive’s office. It is important to select just the right wattage of lighting in order to encourage a productive and positive work environment. If the wattage is too low, it can create a gloomy atmosphere. When the wattage is too high, the lighting can be too harsh and taxing on the eyes.

Selecting Lights Without Planning

In order to choose the correct type of lighting, it is crucial to clearly plan out what type of lighting will work best for your office and to list all the factors that may affect your buying choices.  Like any other add-ons in the office, lights must be well planned for before they can be purchased. Also, it is advised to plan and figure out where the lighting should be installed and what the budget for lighting would be to avoid overspending. Having a strategy and a working plan will help you select the best lighting for your work space. Best of all, it will minimize the risk of making misguided lighting selections and facing disappointments down the line.

Not Taking Advantage of Natural Lighting

A common mistake that people make in regards to office lighting is not taking advantage of natural lighting.  Incorporating more natural light in your office creates a comfortable and healthy environment for employees, customers, and potential clients. Natural lighting can help save on energy costs, which equates to spending less money. Office workers who are more exposed to natural lighting tend to be healthier, happier, more productive, and alert. If there are windows in the office, it is a good idea to encourage employees to utilize and rely more on free light as much as possible.

Improper Installation

Although it might be tempting to install lighting in an office by yourself, it is generally advised to leave the installation to professionals. Occasionally, there are those who attempt to install and fix the lighting in an office themselves, which often results in lights being handled in the wrong manner. Lights should always be installed by professionals, since being around electric accessories could be dangerous. If not installed properly, one could face possible hazards such as burns, shocks, and electrocution. Improper lighting installation can also result in the lighting system failing to work, or it may not light the office as expected.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric, Inc. is a premier electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical construction. Our dedicated and knowledgeable team of electricians, low voltage technicians and office staff are led by senior leadership whose core philosophy is consistently delivering exceptional service. Kirby Electric offers a wide array of services to meet the needs of our customers and ensure a smooth operation of their facilities. Learn more about our services by contacting us online or calling 253-859-2000.

30 Jul 2015
0 Comments By dev@bigfin.com Commercial Lighting, Industrial Lighting , ,

Choosing Office Lighting

Don’t let old lighting affect your employees’ safety and performance. Having the right office lighting is important. Not only can it save you money and energy, but it can also affect how productive your employees are. Dim lighting is unhelpful to finishing any task, and doesn’t make those under it energetic.

3 Types of Office Lighting

Depending on your industry, different types of light are more effective than others. If you have an open office space, you’ll need to ensure the lighting you chooses works for everyone. And if you have an industrial area, like a warehouse, your lighting must be adequate for the work being done beneath it.

  • Recessed Lighting

Recessed lighting is incredibly common in offices, medical facilities, and many professional buildings. Its bonuses? It adds uniform, adequate lighting for employees without creating dark corners. Plus, unlike suspension, recessed lighting doesn’t use up any valuable ceiling space, important for lower ceiling buildings and workplaces with special machinery or extra storage.

  • Motion Activated Systems 

Motion-activated lighting could save you money. How? In infrequently used areas, motion-activated lighting turns on exactly when you need it, and not a second before. It also helps if this lighting is an areas like a stock room where employees need both hands to transport items and don’t have to worry about flipping a switch on and off.

A time not to use motion-activated systems: in rooms that workers are constantly in. If employees are present nearly all of the time, a motion-activated light probably won’t save much electricity, and time won’t be lost flipping the switch.

  • Suspended Lights

Suspended lighting lives up to its name, hanging (an often short distance) from the ceiling. It’s common to see suspended lighting extended from the ceiling via sturdy chains, and these lighting fixtures come in metal to be sturdier than their name suggests.

One place suspended lighting might not work well: stock or storage rooms with tall storage fixtures. High shelving that employees access frequently can mean ladders and heads coming into contact with suspended lighting if not installed properly.

Lighting and Employee Health

Another important factor in choosing commercial lights is how the lighting affects your employees physically. OSHA warns that too much light can lead to headaches or eyestrain, and that workstations should be carefully situated to reduce glare on computers.

It’s not just the lights you switch on that affect our eyes. According to OSHA, brightness contrast from the computer to the office is at risk for causing headaches and optical fatigue. To reduce risk, keep walls and ceilings in “light, matte colors and finishes” that help keep contrast to a minimum. Keep this in in the next time interior design choices are made!

Whichever lighting you choose, make sure it’s with your office and industry in mind. What keeps  a warehouse running isn’t what an office needs, and vice versa. Avoid an ineffective work environment with the right lighting, and make it energy efficient so you and the environment benefit in the long term. From car dealerships to pizza places, we’ve handled the unique needs of businesses around the Seattle area. Find out more: request a quote for what your business needs.

About Kirby Electric

Kirby Electric, Inc. is a premier electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical construction. Our dedicated and knowledgeable team of electricians, low voltage technicians and office staff are led by senior leadership whose core philosophy is consistently delivering exceptional service. Kirby Electric offers a wide array of services to meet the needs of our customers and ensure a smooth operation of their facilities.

(Image courtesy of Antranias via Pixabay.com)