Codes + Standards

Building energy codes offer an attractive energy savings opportunity for utility efficiency programs, particularly now that there are new approaches to quantify the savings from code compliance efforts, according to Building Energy Code Advancement through Utility Support and Engagement, a report issued by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The report recommends ways [...]

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has published ANSI ANSLG C38.377 Specifications for the Chromaticity of Solid State Lighting Products. This publication specifies the range of chromaticities recommended for general lighting with solid state lighting (SSL) products and advises customers of their white light chromaticities. This vital information applies to chromaticity standards and definitions and [...]

Below is an article I wrote about Zhaga, originally published in the October 2012 issue of TED: In a traditional light fixture, lamps, auxiliary components such as ballasts, and the fixture itself connect using standard interfaces, providing three key benefits. Manufacturers can specialize in what they do best—lamp, ballast/transformer or fixture design, facilitating product development. [...]

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) recently published ANSI C136.1 American National Standard for Roadway and Area Lighting Equipment—Filament Lamps—A Guide for Selection, available for purchase here in hard copy or electronic format for $36. This is a guide for the proper selection of filament lamps for use in roadway and area lighting equipment. C136.1-2012 [...]

Lighting requirements to enhance productivity and comfort of occupants have been proposed for a green building standard from ASHRAE, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2011, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, provides a design standard for those who strive for [...]

ASHRAE’s first standard focused on The Commissioning Process is now open for comment until Oct. 1, 2012. Click here for more. Standard 202P, Commissioning Process for Buildings and Systems, would identify the minimum acceptable commissioning process for buildings and systems as described in ASRHAE’s Guideline 0-2005, The Commissioning Process. By taking the best practices from [...]

Many LED luminaires are highly integrated products. An alternative approach is to modularize the light source and other components using standardized interfaces, similar to conventional lighting products. The Zhaga Consortium has been working hard on creating these interfaces; the first standards and compliant products are now coming online. EC&M recently published an article about Zhaga’s [...]

OHIO: March 27, 2012. The Ohio Board of Building Standards (OBBS) has announced a public hearing on April 26, 2012 at 10AM in Reynoldsburg. IDAHO: February 2, 2012. Proposed electrical code adoption effectively killed. NEW JERSEY: January 25, 2012. The New Jersey Uniform Construction Code Advisory Board announced the proposed adoption to the 2011 National [...]

The Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO), produced jointly by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), provides a template for municipalities seeking to develop standards for responsible outdoor lighting. Specifically, the MLO addresses skyglow (light emitted up into the sky that obscures nighttime viewing of stars), light trespass (light emitted onto neighboring [...]