Cold storage warehousing forms an important part of keeping food, pharmaceuticals, and other products on their way from production to retail stores.
There are two kinds of cold storage: one for refrigeration, with the temperature between 0 and 10 ℃, while others for freezing, with the temperature at -40 to 0 ℃.
Sub-zero temperatures present huge challenges for lighting systems, and they may threaten the normal function of electronics. Conventional lighting fixtures are phased out due to the limited lighting performance and high energy consumption. In contrast, LED lighting fixtures are widely used because they are energy-saving and cost-effective.
However, light sources are not the only factors in cold storage lighting. We will take a look at two main considerations of cold storage lighting in this post: reasons for the need for proper cold storage lighting and cold storage lighting requirements. Hope it can help you have a better awareness of cold storage lighting.
Why you need proper cold storage lighting
Cold storage is different from other applications due to the low ambient temperature. Products are stored in cold storage to maintain their quality and extend lasting time. Workers in cold storage should wear thick and warm clothes and gloves to protect themselves from cold injury or even frostbite. Besides clothes, lighting is also highly related to workers’ safety.
Lighting problems, like glare, flicker, and poor lighting, will decrease visibility and cause accidents. Long-term exposure to glare can cause visual fatigue and damage to one's eyesight. In addition, glare is very annoying, as it often causes people to feel anxiety, lack of concentration, and other psychological discomfort. It can cause serious insomnia and even worse headaches. Poor lighting conditions are hazardous and lower the identification of objects in the cold storage.
Proper illumination is really important. With appropriate lighting, employees have a clearer awareness of the labels of products and their location. Additionally, employees feel safe in the bright and high-visibility environment, so they can avert dangerous accidents, whether while working or walking. As a result, workers can increase their productivity.
What are the requirements of cold storage lighting
Most cold storage warehouses are plunged into darkness without sunlight. They are closed spaces without windows to ensure a cooling effect. Therefore, lighting is really critical for cold storage. The cold ambient temperature demands higher requirements for lighting.
Illumination
Illumination levels are highly related to visual experience. Workers require appropriate illumination to identify products and the environment. The IESNA (Illumination Engineering Society of North America) recommends the following illumination for cold storage:
|
Building Area |
Average Maintained Footcandles (Horizontal) (FC) |
Range of Maintained Footcandles (Horizontal) (FC) |
Average Maintained Footcandles (Vertical) (FC) |
Range of Maintained Footcandles (Vertical) (FC) |
|
Cold Storage |
20 |
10-30 |
10 |
5-15 |
Please note that the recommendations mentioned above are just for reference; the illumination levels are supposed to be adjusted according to specific tasks, environments, and the type of objects in cold storage.
Emit less heat
Cold storage lighting fixtures should emit less heat to avoid strengthening the load on the cooling system. Moreover, less heat generation protects products in cold storage from damage or going bad due to the higher temperature.
Lighting fixtures that emit less heat also contribute to energy savings. Lighting fixtures convert electric energy to light and heat. Less heat generation means more light is converted. In other words, lighting fixtures that emit less heat are of high efficiency, being able to illuminate with lower energy waste.
Easy to clean
Since cold storage warehouses are generally used for storing food and pharmaceuticals, cleanness is one of the key points for cold storage. Lighting fixtures are preferably easy to clean to decrease the risk of polluting the stored products. A smooth surface prevents dust or water from accumulating on the lamp and then reduces dust accumulation. Lighting fixtures that are easy to clean save labor costs for cleaning, keeping workers safe from climbing high.
Water & impact & low-temperature resistance
Resistance to water, impact, and low temperature allows flood storage lighting to withstand harsh environments. Lighting fixtures are cleaned with water and cleanser; in general, they must be waterproof to prevent electricity leakage.
Having a waterproof rating of IP65 or higher is great for ingress protection. Enclosures with IK08 or higher IK code enable the protection of electronics inside.
Low-temperature resistance makes lighting fixtures function normally in cold conditions. Most of the cold storage has temperatures below 0 ℃, some of them even below -40℃. Conventional lighting fixtures may not start in a cold environment; you had better replace them with LED. LED lighting fixtures have excellent performance under cold temperatures. They can turn on or off instantly.
Less energy consumption
Energy consumption is closely related to the light source and operation time. As we all know, LED is the most efficient light source, being able to save up to 80% more energy than conventional light sources.
Installing sensors is one of the easiest ways to cut energy consumption. Motion sensors are triggered by the movement of vehicles and people. The dynamic response allows more energy savings without time or daylight limitations. Occupancy sensors can be used in low-activity areas to save energy. Occupancy sensors enable individual aisle lighting to be turned on or off. Other sensors like photo sensors can also reduce energy consumption.
Cold storage lighting solution
There are numerous challenges with lighting in the cold storage environment. Conventional lighting fixtures not only waste more energy but also have poor performance in cold storage. Retrofit traditional lighting fixtures with AGC lighting fixtures to trim operational spending as well as lower maintenance.
HiClean Plus and HiRack are the perfect lighting for your cold storage, as they can meet all the requirements of cold storage lighting.
HiClean Plus LED high bay light has a breakthrough design with an aesthetic appearance. Smooth housing prevents dust and water accumulation. Non-exposed stainless steel screws and no toxic material are safe for stored products. The sleek design and safe optic lens without glass make it easy to clean. IP66 and IK10 rated, combined with an NSF certificate, ideal for food cold storage.
HiRack LED linear high bay light is perfect for aisles in cold storage. Asymmetric optic lens adapts to narrow aisles between high shelves without light loss. IP65 and IK10 ratings protect lighting fixtures from damage. Intelligent control by adding DALI, Zigbee, PIR sensor, motion sensor, and daylight harvesting sensor reduces energy consumption.
AGC is committed to providing satisfactory lighting solutions for our customers. If you have any problems, please let us know. We will provide lighting solutions that meet your specific needs.
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