Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - high ceiling store lighting

I am constructing a laundromat in the NYC area.

The area I need to light is approximately 18w x 60d and 18 feet high. The area where between the washers and dryers is 13 feet wide by 60 deep or long.
The washers will go on one side and the dryers on the other of course.

I am looking for the most powerful yet efficient type of lighting available.

I had someone recommend a single row of 5 400w or 7 250w metal halide high bays in the center and I also had someone recommend a row of 4 6bulb or 8bulb T5s, again in the center.

Please comment on this, any/all comments appreciated.

I would go with the T5's . That's my vote.

New options like high bay fluorescents are replacing the old standard of metal arc high bay fixtures.

You may want to talk to a lighting designer and explore your options.

Your needs for lighting levels should be relatively modest, you won't be doing surgery under the lights.

I would go with T5 or T8 fluorescents.

I will go with T5 or T8's flourscent luminaire.

Talk to the lighting designers they will help you with correct spacing.

The HID is slowly dropping out of flavour.

Really the costwise between the High/Low bay flourscent luminarie is about the same as standard HID lowbay luminaire.

I rather go with flourscent due you can able spread the light much better than HID plus less glare as well.

Merci,Marc

I agree with T-8 florescent fixtures (I don't think I will ever say "luminaire" :p). T-5's are still quite pricey.

Let me add one more comment in here I almost oversighted this item due this is in laundromat location.

You may want to think about the protection on the luminaire sorta like vandal proof luminaire ask for that verison I know it will cost more that way it will prevent someone damage the luminaire.

Merci,Marc

And if high ceilings, put them high. Light travels at 176,000 miles a second, so the height, and T8's you will have plenty of light and built in vandal proofness. But as Marc stated, covers will protect the bulbs from thrown objects.

The area is 18w x 60d and 18 feet high how many t5 or t8s should i be using?

As stated, you should really contact a commercial lighting rep. This is what they do and usually no cost.

Your city may have a minimum foot candle for this application(mine does)as well as what's required per the governments energy savings mandates and emergency egress, etc. This would allow a more definite evaluation for your needs.

Yes, we could all guess and offer recommendations, but without 100% of details, it would just be speculation. Something as simple as the color of the interior walls can effect the lighting.

There are so many factors to consider and they will be able to address these and optional accessories. For example, if you're planning on being open 24 hours and let's say you have 6 fixtures(yes, 6-6-tube t5 fixures would light that area), I would consider occupancy sensors on like 1/2 of them.

Good luck.

Although I am not sure, I don't believe there is a minimum foot candle requirement but I remember speaking to a lighting expert some time ago and they mentioned something like 75watts of lighting.

As stated, you should really contact a commercial lighting rep. This is what they do and usually no cost.

Your city may have a minimum foot candle for this application(mine does)as well as what's required per the governments energy savings mandates and emergency egress, etc. This would allow a more definite evaluation for your needs.

Yes, we could all guess and offer recommendations, but without 100% of details, it would just be speculation. Something as simple as the color of the interior walls can effect the lighting.

There are so many factors to consider and they will be able to address these and optional accessories. For example, if you're planning on being open 24 hours and let's say you have 6 fixtures(yes, 6-6-tube t5 fixures would light that area), I would consider occupancy sensors on like 1/2 of them.

Good luck.

Here is my suggestion:

I would run 2 rows of 7, 8' T-8 fixtures. Use the 8' strip fixtures with 4 lamps per fixture. If you want to direct the light down get the ones with a shade. Install them 6' off the first wall, then 6' apart so they will be like this: wall 6' fixture 6' fixture 6' wall.
Run the 7 fixtures end to end which will give you 56' of length. If you want then down a bit you can hang then on jack chain.

Home Depots prices:
14 8" t-8 4 lamp fixtures = $613.76
t-8 4100k lamps = $112
optional lamp cages = $279.16 (may be installed at a later time if needed)

This is just me going with your dimensions. I also like the thought of the occupancy sensors like Wirenut mentioned. Hope this helps

T8 instead of T5? How for off the floor?


Here is my suggestion:

I would run 2 rows of 7, 8' T-8 fixtures. Use the 8' strip fixtures with 4 lamps per fixture. If you want to direct the light down get the ones with a shade. Install them 6' off the first wall, then 6' apart so they will be like this: wall 6' fixture 6' fixture 6' wall.
Run the 7 fixtures end to end which will give you 56' of length. If you want then down a bit you can hang then on jack chain.

Home Depots prices:
14 8" t-8 4 lamp fixtures = $613.76
t-8 4100k lamps = $112
optional lamp cages = $279.16 (may be installed at a later time if needed)

This is just me going with your dimensions. I also like the thought of the occupancy sensors like Wirenut mentioned. Hope this helps

If you going with Toyln's 8 ft 4 lamp T-8's mount them 12 feet off the floor level that will give you very reasonable light level also the other reason I go this height due you can have the luminaires below the ductwork and structure grids so it will look more invisble however I really strongly suggest that you get the wirecage to protect the bulbs espcally if it is in unattened location.

There are few ways you can wire up the motion sensor(s) if you want go that route.

But check with your regulations I am pretty sure you need at least one luminaire to be on 24/7 for secturey reason.

So if they do require that put that on back one third way of the building length.

Or the other option which I do from time to time is get a 4 footer T-8 two lamp luminaire and use that for secturey useage and ya you can order with battery back up in case power failure so someone can get out of the building speaking of egress { exit } you will need to check the city code regaurding on this one.

Merci,Marc

If these are installed 12 feet off the floor, how much lighting will there be at floor level or how wattage comparable to?


If you going with Toyln's 8 ft 4 lamp T-8's mount them 12 feet off the floor level that will give you very reasonable light level also the other reason I go this height due you can have the luminaires below the ductwork and structure grids so it will look more invisble however I really strongly suggest that you get the wirecage to protect the bulbs espcally if it is in unattened location.

There are few ways you can wire up the motion sensor(s) if you want go that route.

But check with your regulations I am pretty sure you need at least one luminaire to be on 24/7 for secturey reason.

So if they do require that put that on back one third way of the building length.

Or the other option which I do from time to time is get a 4 footer T-8 two lamp luminaire and use that for secturey useage and ya you can order with battery back up in case power failure so someone can get out of the building speaking of egress { exit } you will need to check the city code regaurding on this one.

Merci,Marc

For that I think you will have to contact a lighting rep and they will be able to give the aprox. foot candles to the floor.

I would go T8's because T5's are quite a bit more pricey and I bet you would have to go to a supply house to get them.

I am almost ready to do this but am still thinking about the t5s being that they are newer technology and probably more efficient. The t5s i have been looking at come in 4 footers, any advise?

I think T8's are still your best option, because they are a great lamp and the fixtures are usually cheaper and easier to find.

I agree they are a great lamp but the T5s are a better lamp and are getting very popular, look at what HD is using next time you go shopping.

I think T8's are still your best option, because they are a great lamp and the fixtures are usually cheaper and easier to find.

I did work on few HD stores and they used T-5's due they have pretty high mounting height their old luminaire used to be 400 w Metal Halides so they replace one for one and have very good result with them { they did save their electric bill more than 40% and a nice bouns they did reduce the A/C load as well so the store stay cooler and the A/C is not really working super hard }

Merci,Marc

T5's may be better light output per lamp, but lumens per watt T8 will win, and the right T8's will have much longer life.