Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Why hire an engineer?

In many areas it is required that drawings sealed by an engineer be submitted to the local authorities to obtain a building permit. An engineer will evaluate the needs of the project and design a system that best suits its needs. Each project requires a unique solution. The quality of the materials, the types of material, the layout, the design, the project budget are all important factor in designing the electrical system for a project.

What is a PE?

It is important to look for the letters PE when searching for an engineer. PE is the abbreviation for Professional Engineer. Professional Engineers are tested and registered on a state by state basis. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Department of State, Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs is responsible for the licensing of Professional Engineers. The federal government recognizes the benefits of a PE and requires a PE be in responsible charge of all projects.

What is responsible charge?

In order for an engineer to put his professional seal on to a drawing the law requires that the engineer was in responsible charge. For an engineer to be in responsible charge he must:

• Supervise the people performing the work.
• Must be able to dictate changes to the work.
• Must be involved from start to finish.
• Must be familiar with the details of the work.
• Must be familiar with or have trained the individuals performing the work.
• Must be in close communication with the individual performing the work.
• Must be competent by training and experience for the work represented on the drawing.

What is value engineering?

Value engineering is an inaccurate term. It is term used to make cost and quality reductions of an already designed project sound more technical than it is and thereby more appealing to the owner. We at Carlins Consulting do not subscribe to this term. Experience has shown us that there is not any value or engineering in these cost reduction procedures. Typically, it is the substitution of lower quality and lower cost materials for the specified products.

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ENERGY

What is LEED?

LEED is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. LEED provides building owners and operators with the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. For more information, visit their website: www.usgbc.org/LEED.

What is the USGBC?

USGBC is the United States Green Building Council and is the organization responsible for the development of the LEED rating system for buildings. For more information, visit their website: www.usgbc.org.

What does sustainable mean?

The term sustainable is used very loosely in the industry and, in general, is used when an architect or engineer wants to express that their building design or the product they are specifying is energy efficient and recyclable. There are three (3) components to the definition of sustainable — economic, societal and environmental. Each component must be weighed to reach a decision if something is sustainable. For example, if a product is energy efficient, but payback from the energy savings is 50 years then you would not classify this as sustainable using the economic component. However, if you weight the importance of energy savings high for a societal or an environmental component then you might see the payback period as acceptable. Sustainable will be different for each individual because everyone will weigh each component of sustainability differently and to reach their determination of an item's sustainability.

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LIGHTING DESIGN

Why hire a lighting designer?

A lighting designer will evaluate a space and provide it with the appropriate lighting and controls for the function of and the users of the space. The design will be specific to the project. The lighting design will be cost effective and energy efficient utilizing state of the art methods and material. Cost effective is not using the lowest cost materials nor is it using the lowest energy consumption materials, but it is using materials whose cost and energy efficiency will provide the best value over time. The lighting designer will balance function and aesthetics of a space to provide an innovative design solution to strengthen the unique nature of any space.

What is lighting design?

Lighting design is the fusion of art, science and engineering. The engineering aspects of lighting design include meeting local, state and national building codes and ordinances as well as the application of luminaries into an architectural space to provide a functional visual environment with the proper quantity of illumination. The science of lighting requires a working knowledge of lighting and how it reacts with various mediums and materials – reflection, refraction, absorption, color, contrast ratios and more. An understanding of the eye and how it changes through life is important data when designing a space. Does a 60 year old worker require more light than a 20 year old worker? The art in lighting functionally merges the engineering and science in with the architecture to create a space that can provide a mood (corporate office, park, security, etc.) to the space or it can wow the visitor.

What is LC?

It is important to look for the letters LC when searching for a lighting designer. Anyone can print up a business card and call themselves a lighting designer. But are they qualified? LC is the abbreviation for Lighting Certified. The NCQLP (National Council on Qualifications for the Lighting Professions) tests individuals and determines if they have the qualifications to become an LC. The federal government has begun to recognize the benefits of the LC and is beginning to require an LC for the lighting on their projects.

Are there codes for lighting?

There are codes, standards and local ordinances, all of which need to be considered before a lighting design is undertaken. Codes can affect how many watts you are allowed to use for lighting in a space. Standards can help to determine the footcandle level required to illuminate the space. Local ordinances usually address exterior lighting. The catch phrases in exterior lighting are light trespass and light pollution.

What is dark sky?      

Dark sky generally refers to an organization called the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA). The IDA, in general, is concerned with the amount of light leaving the earth. Primarily this affects astronomers (professional and amateur). IDA promotes the use of full cut-off luminaires and has been instrumental in the wording of many of the local lighting ordinances.

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What is light trespass?

Put simply, light trespass is light which spills onto an adjacent property. Local lighting ordinances will typically address this issue.

What is light pollution?

Light pollution is the light which distracts from the surroundings. Also, it is the light that can be seen on a satellite photograph of the earth. Light trespass is also a form of light pollution. Light pollution can almost be described as any unwanted light.

Why is good lighting so important to good architecture?

Good lighting will enhance good architecture. Bad lighting will make good architecture look bland. For lighting to compliment the architecture, the lighting designer must interface with the architect to determine the desired impact of the lighting on the space. What are the key features? How important are these features? What tasks are being performed? What materials are being used? What colors are the materials being used? Are the materials dark in color or light in color? What color are the materials? Unless these and many other questions are asked and answered during the design process the illumination of the space may fall short of expectations. Good lighting will address all of this and the result will enhance the architecture.

What are the benefits of good lighting?

Good lighting can manifest many tangible and non-tangible benefits. A compliment from a client on what a comfortable work environment you’ve create or the attractiveness of the space can reinforce the pride you have in your organization. New studies correlate good lighting with employee satisfaction which increases productivity while decreasing absenteeism. People are more likely to visit well-lit public areas, parks or shopping districts. Good lighting improves the security in an area and can affect the mood of a space.

Do I really need a lighting designer?

Not all projects require the decorative and aesthetic benefits of a lighting designer, however, almost all projects can benefit from a lighting designer’s involvement. Whether it is the energy efficiency of the luminaires, the control of the lighting system or calculating the amount of illumination needed to perform critical tasks, a lighting designer will insure these criteria are met.

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CONSTRUCTION METHODS

What is design/build?

Design/build is a project delivery system with a single entity that is responsible for both the design and the construction of a project. Typically, the controlling entity or builder is a construction manager (CM) or general contractor (GC). The CM or GC then hires an architect and/or engineer to design the project. This scenario puts engineer under the control of the builder. The engineer is not working for the owner in this scenario. Any design requests the owner would make to the engineer would need to be cleared with the builder. The design/build delivery system puts all of the owner’s “eggs in one basket.” The owner does not have an independent engineer to evaluate field change, quality of materials, installation practices, etc.

Is design/build right for me?

We at Carlins Consulting believe that design/build as described in the previous FAQ is the wrong way for an owner to proceed on a construction project. We would only recommend design/build if it were a modified design/build project delivery system with both the design team (architects and engineers) and the construction team (construction managers and contractors) separately contracted by the owner.  

Will I save money with design/build?

We do not believe the design/build project delivery system saves any money over the traditional design/bid project delivery system when the quality of the materials used to construct the project is taken into consideration.

Will I have my project constructed faster with design/build?

We do not believe the design/build project delivery system saves any time over the traditional design/bid project delivery system. Whether the design build team is under one umbrella or contracted separately and then bid is irrelevant to the fact that the design process must still occur before construction can begin.

What is design/bid?

Design/bid is the traditional project delivery system by which the owner hires an architect and engineer to design a project and prepare construction documents. The construction documents are then put out to competitive bid by multiple contractors. The competitive bid process insures that the owner is getting a fair price for the work which is shown on the contract documents. During construction this process provides the owner with an engineer who can be unbiased because he/she does not have any ties to the builder.

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OTHER

How do I arrange for a consultation?

Carlins Consulting will be happy to discuss your project with you at your convenience. We can meet you at your offices, our offices or at the project site. Simply call us at (412)369-9735 or
email tcarlins@carlinsconsulting.com.

How are fees determined?

The are a few methods typically used to determine fees. After a detailed review of the project is made a fixed fee or lump sum proposal can be provided. If the scope of work is unidentifiable then work can be performed on a time plus expenses basis. In many instances an approximate fee for the hourly work can be provided.

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