Lighting a cold storage facility presents a few challenges that other facilities don’t. Factories and other warehouses, for example, typically don’t experience the bitter temperatures and damp conditions that a cold storage facility does.
Having the right lighting in place for each area in a cold storage facility is critical to workers’ safety, comfort, and productivity. Selecting the right lights for the environment ensures that they’re able to withstand the facility’s ambient conditions and sanitation practices. Traditional lights like HID and fluorescents aren’t the best solution for these spaces — but not all LED lights are appropriate, either.
Let’s take a look at some of the features and benefits that should influence the choice of LED lighting for your cold storage facility.
Characteristics & Specifications
LED lights for cold storage must do more than illuminate the immediate area. Consider the following:
Full Floor Coverage
It’s important that every LED fixture provides ample lighting coverage for every inch of the cold storage facility, including the racking. This could mean high brightness levels in one area and lower levels in an adjacent space. Every fixture must provide the illumination needed to eliminate potential hazards and keep workers safe while navigating the facility.
Temperature Tolerance
Not all LEDs are manufactured to withstand extreme cold, so select only those with thermal/cool temperature ratings that match your facility’s conditions; ratings provide a temperature minimum or maximum that the light is able to tolerate. Many LED fixtures rated for cold storage can work in temperatures as low as -40℃.
Moisture Tolerance
Fixtures in cold storage facilities are often subjected to condensation, and depending on what’s stored in the space, they may need to be regularly sterilized with liquid agents to ensure code compliance after installation and throughout operation. When selecting LED fixtures, look for the “IP65” label demonstrating that they’ve been tested and align with applicable requirements and expectations.
For cold storage facilities in particular, it’s important to choose IP65 listed lights that are designed for Damp or Wet conditions — these are not interchangeable. Those labeled for Damp conditions are appropriate for spaces that experience ambient humidity and condensation, while the Wet listing means the lights can be in direct contact with liquids, such as frequent washes and rinses for cleaning.
Environmental Impact
When choosing your LEDs, consider the environmental impacts. This means finding the lights that will illuminate the facility exactly as needed in an energy-efficient manner, which saves you money and helps the environment in the process. LEDVANCE, for example, saw annual cost savings of $261,200 and reduced their annual carbon dioxide output by 2,036 tons after retrofitting their legacy lights with new LED fixtures from FYTLED.
Your Comprehensive Cold Storage LED Lighting Guide
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