Proper lighting improves safety, prevents crime and improves the feeling of safety on any campus. Here are a few ways to simplify the process.

1. Number each light: Lighting problems often go unreported. This often results from the fact that maintenance personnel work during the day while the problems are generally seen at night. Make it easy for all staff members by numbering all exterior lights with tags that are visible during the night at ground level.

This simplifies the process of reporting problems. Light numbers and locations can then be indicated on a map that provide the lamp type, wattage, model number and ballast requirement, along with information on critical replacement parts.

2. Conduct routine light surveys during day and evening: Daytime surveys often reveal the cause of lighting problems, such as discolored lenses that reduce lighting efficiency or broken light fixtures.  You may be surprised at what you find. Nighttime surveys reveal the results of these problems, including burned out lights or lighting conflicts with overgrown tree canopies. 

3. Include actual light measurement at ground level beneath each exterior fixture: High efficiency exterior lights can lose up to 60 percent of their efficiency from a variety of causes, including bulb deterioration, ballast failure and dirty or discolored lenses.

This measurement process will require a commercial grade industrial light meter. Quality meters from companies such as Extech can be purchased for prices of $100.00 and above.

4. Be creative: Using a light meter while recording the results can be a challenge requiring more hands than we possess. A little ingenuity, however, can resolve this problem. The photograph below shows a golf cart that was modified to mount a light meter and writing pad for greatly simplified light surveys.  

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