9.6.5 Install lighting controls at visible, accessible locations
It should be obvious. If lighting controls are not convenient, they will not be used efficiently. However, this important point is commonly overlooked, and a lot of energy is wasted as a result. Figure 1 shows an extreme example.
The most important point is to locate lighting controls where people would expect to find them. But, there is more. In particular, locate lighting controls so that:
•they can easily be seen and identified
•people do not have to go out of their way to use them
•the fixtures controlled by the switches can be seen from the control locations
•the occupied areas can be seen, to avoid inadvertently turning off lights needed by persons remaining within the space •there is no risk of persons being trapped within a darkened space.
These guidelines apply to automatic lighting controls as well as to manual switches, if they may require any action by occupants. For example, automatic controls often have manual override.
How to Install Lighting Controls at Exits
People expect to find light switches at exits. If the switches are presently located in some obscure or inaccessible location, relocate them to the primary exits, unless it is more effective to move them to individual activity areas, as explained below. If it is appropriate to install lighting controls at doors, install them on the latch side.
Use the same locations for manual overrides that are combined with automatic controls, such as personnel sensors.
Where there is more than one usual exit, provide switches at each exit. People will not cross a space to turn off lights at an exit that they do not intend to use. By the same token, lack of switches at each exit may require entering people to cross a darkened space in order to turn on the lights. A fixture can be controlled from any number of locations by using inexpensive 3-way and 4-way switches, or by using relay control, as explained in Measure 9.6.4. If lighting within the space is subdivided into activity areas, as discussed next, consider installing controls at both the exits and the individual activity areas.
How to Install Lighting Controls at Activity Areas
Provide a separate control circuit for each area that has distinct lighting requirements, as recommended by Measure 9.6.4. Install the controls for each task area where they are most accessible to the individuals who should operate them. You may want to retain the original wall switches for collective control of the lighting. This simplifies the task of security personnel or others who may be instructed to turn off lights after hours (see Measure 9.4.2).
You may have to use your imagination to find satisfactory mounting locations for the controls. Consider installing switches on furniture or equipment, but do not violate any safety codes. Consider installing controls on stalks suspended from the ceiling at a safe height. Anticipate changes to the space layout.
Pullcord switches are a technique for providing localized control in many environments, including offices and other activities where they are not presently used. Because of their potential, pullcord switches get separate treatment in Measure 9.6.5.1, the subsidiary Measure.
How to Control Transit Lighting
If a space is used as a passage between other spaces, especially outside normal occupancy hours, people tend to turn on more light in the space than they need to pass through safely. If you can limit transit lighting to certain fixtures (as recommended in Measure 9.6.3), consider removing all switches from the entrances except for the transit lighting switches. Install the switches for individual activity areas within those areas. If you do this, arrange the transit lighting so that regular occupants of the space can safely reach their work areas.