July 2017

Design services at architecture firms continue to project a healthy disposition on the construction industry as the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) recorded the fourth consecutive month of growth in May 2017. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9- to 12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. [...]

DOE’s SSL Program is hosting two upcoming webinars to present and discuss the results of a recently released investigation of LED streetlighting’s impact on sky glow. Both webinars will start at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (9:00 a.m. Pacific Time) and last one hour. Thursday, July 20. “The Impact of LED Street Lighting on Sky Glow.” [...]

The first quarter of 2017 saw a 1.4% increase compared to 4Q 2016 but a 3.4% decline when compared to 1Q 2016. Emergency lighting, fixtures, and lighting controls posted quarter-over-quarter increases while the remaining components declined during the same period. The same components also posted year-over-year increases, but were offset by the decline in ballasts [...]

The Pompeo Group, Inc. recently announced a strategic alliance with Tounge Associates, a merger and acquisition firm. Tounge Associates’ expertise in the M&A field, combined with The Pompeo Group’s nearly three decades of lighting industry experience, can assist lighting, energy, IoT and electrical companies source buyers, merging partners or strategic acquisition targets.

Focal Point recently expanded its Seem family with the introduction of two new LED luminaires: Seem 2 Asymmetric and Seem 4 Asymmetric. Available in 2.5″ and 4″ apertures respectively, these linear luminaires are designed to provide even vertical illumination on walls. A flush frosted acrylic lens delivers a sleek aesthetic and provides uninterrupted illumination. Multiple [...]

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Robert F. Karlicek, Jr., PhD, Professor and Director, Center for Lighting Enabled Systems & Applications, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The topic: lighting industry disruption, specifically as a process called “creative destruction.” The interview informed an article I wrote for the June issue of tED Magazine. DiLouie: In your talk [...]

In my June contribution to ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, I describe what’s new and other major lighting requirements in the 2016 version of the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 energy standard. The new standard focuses on energy-saving opportunities with LED technology and controls. Check it out here.

I was very happy to gain the LC certification six years ago and would encourage any lighting practitioner to consider it. For those of you doing so, the Illuminating Engineering Society is offering an LC Study Group, an online, web-based support program. It’s not required to take the LC exam but may be helpful. Run [...]

In 2016, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced guidelines encouraging restrictions on the spectral properties of outdoor and roadway lighting, based on CSAPH Report 2-A-16 from their Council on Science and Public Health. The Illuminating Engineering Society recently completed a review of the report and guidelines and issued Position Statement PS-09-17, joining with the International [...]