Commissioning Lighting Systems: How Do YOU Do It?

I am being engaged to produce a Recommended Practice for IES on the subject of commissioning lighting and controls. I have ample information and recommended procedures for commissioning popular lighting control systems such as occupancy sensors, time sweep, daylight harvesting and architectural dimming. Right now I’m looking for procedures for commissioning lighting.

My understanding is this: When commissioning a lighting system, basically the commissioning authority is seeking to verify installation, perform operational checks, and prepare an operating manual. The commissioning authority is typically the designer. Typical activities include system activation (burning in the lamps for 100 hours), luminaire aiming and a visual inspection for operating problems. Other activities include verifying approved equipment is installed, measuring light levels and reflectances, and verifying proper distribution and color.

My question is: What specific procedures does your firm use for this activity? Do you have a punch list? For example, if measuring light levels, do you measure at one point on the task surface, or multiple points? What do you do to determine the proper distribution and color are being provided? If you measure reflectance, on what surfaces do you do it? If the answers depend on the project, what does that decision tree look like?

I’m hoping this post will generate some interesting discussion. If you have additional information you’d like to send me to help inform the development of this IES publication, please email me here.

Thank you for any insights you may have to offer!

Craig DiLouie

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