10-20 I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK

Even where fluorescent luminaires are suspended below individual

electrical outlets, they may abut each other and be connected physically
and electrically. Since common four-outlet-per-bay layouts usually
call for 10-
by 10-foot or
12-
by 12-foot spacing, it is readily appreciated
that combinations of 4 foot, 5 foot, and longer elements can bridge such
spaces readily. Inherently, fluorescent lamps are of low lumen output per
foot. The 40-watt lamp and its ballast consume together about 12 watts
per foot. Thus, a greater luminous area and usually a larger number of
lamps are needed to provide a given illumination level with fluorescent
lamps than with the higher wattage incandescent lamps, despite the
greater efficiency of the former.
Lines and geometric patterns of fluorescent-lamp luminaires often are
surface-mounted on the ceiling, suspended from it, or recessed in it. The
low operating temperature of the fluorescent lamp, the value of diffuse-
light distribution, and the harmonious architectural lines that such an
approach creates, all have resulted in increasing emphasis on such patterns.
MAINTENANCE OF LIGHTING
Maintenance is a most important factor in the effectiveness of any
lighting installation. In its broadest sense it includes everything connected
with maintaining the output of a lighting system as near to its initial level
as possible. Systematic maintenance plans should form a part of every
installation design involving a large number of lamps. Today increasing
recognition of the importance of maintenance is resulting in the develop-
ment of specialized lighting-maintenance-service organizations.
Incandescent-Lamp-Luminaire Maintenance
In an incandescent-lamp luminaire, sometimes only the lamp itself is
considered an essential operating part requiring regular replacement;
however, the reflecting or other control medium also may be very important.
When there is a factor of permanent or accumulative depreciation to be
considered in these other parts (as contrasted with dirt which, hopefully, is
considered temporary depreciation), provision should be made for their
replacement also. Such depreciation is not necessarily a sign of poor
design, although good design tends to minimize it.
In addition to the dirt problem, the incandescent lamp, like other light
sources, presents two other maintenance problems: output depreciation and
failure to operate. Output depreciation is an inevitable condition of
operation, although in some cases (e.g., series operation of street-lighting
lamps) it may not be of concern from a maintenance standpoint because of
compensating factors which are designed into the system. In designing
installations, output depreciation is included in the original calculations in
order to allow for the expected reduction in performance caused by operating
conditions.
When an incandescent lamp fails to operate, replacement is necessary.
In many installations this is done on a "hit-or-miss" basis. In larger