The Design/Energy Code Debate … continued

5 MIN READ

FRANCESCA BETTRIDGE | Principal | CLINE BETTRIDGE BERNSTEIN LIGHTING DESIGN
Jim makes some very good points, specifically how important it is for the design community to be involved, and he is correct that it has been shouldered by a minority of designers. About Jim’s points, I’d like to add some comments.

  • Lighting codes are not intended to restrict specific spaces… This depends on the method one is using—space-by-space or overall building. It is not always possible to “rob Peter to pay Paul.” One of the points I make is that when higher light levels are called for (i.e., library stacks) and you borrow within the same space, it can lead to an imbalance in the lighting and compromise the design.
  • Dark finishes make the process harder for lighting… Not all dark surfaces are poor architecture. Sometimes natural woods and stone are dark, and it is important to the composition and the style. It is our job to educate the clients and architects, when necessary, on the effects and the limitations of the available power to illuminate these surfaces.
  • Exemptions are given when a case has been made (i.e., gaming areas) that due to the process, it is not beneficial to regulate lighting power … I agree that there are unique cases where it is better not to regulate lighting power, but I strongly disagree about gaming areas. These are 24-hour spaces that rely on lighting for atmosphere or to illuminate tables and could easily use HID sources and fluorescents instead of all the incandescents. On the other hand, it is very difficult to provide preferred lighting schemes for spaces that demand high light levels (such as labs).
  • I agree with Jim that there needs to be more development in committees and an open public process to keep refining the requirements that we are all using now. We all need to be looking at this rapidly changing situation and keep our communication with each other going strong. GARY FLAMM | Lighting Program Lead | CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION

    I appreciate being privy to this dialogue. Regarding gaming types of spaces in Title 24: It is the responsibility of the Energy Commission to establish that an energy efficiency measure is cost effective, technically feasible, and saves energy. Each time we initiate a new rulemaking process, a host of proposals, studies, and analyses are presented to us for consideration. One reason that some spaces have not yet been regulated is because no one has done the baseline assessment to qualify and quantify the potential energy savings for that measure. If someone would bring to us the required completed field study and analysis for gaming types of spaces, we would be able to publicly vet the idea among all of the stakeholders for possible adoption in the next round of standards. Much of the completed analysis comes to us from the electric utility companies. Eventhough lighting for gaming spaces may have high-energy use per square foot, there might not be enough total square feet of space in the state for anyone to invest in the required analysis. Another consideration is that virtually all of the casinos in California are on sovereign Indian land, which is not regulated by Title 24. However, some casinos do voluntarily try to meet energy standards, so it might be useful to provide a standard for such use.

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