The Data That Wins the Bid
For electricians and contractors, specifying a lighting project is more than just picking a fixture; it’s about guaranteeing performance, safety, and efficiency. When you submit a proposal for a warehouse, gym, or barn, the client and engineers look for proof, not just promises. Missing technical files can get your bid dropped before it’s even seriously considered. I’ve seen it happen—a contractor loses a five-figure job because they couldn’t provide an IES file, causing a week-long delay for the lighting designer.
This checklist covers the essential photometric and technical data you must have on hand for every UFO high bay project. Having these documents ready is the difference between a quick approval and a frustrating request for information (RFI).
1. The Foundation: Photometric Files and Performance Reports
Before you can even calculate placement or prove energy savings, you need the fundamental performance files for the luminaire. These are non-negotiable for any professional-grade project.
IES Files: The Digital Twin of Light
An IES (.ies) file is the single most critical piece of photometric data. It is a standardized text file, defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) in the LM-63 standard, that describes how a specific fixture distributes light in three-dimensional space. Think of it as a digital blueprint of the light beam.
Lighting designers and engineers import this file into software like AGi32 to create accurate lighting simulations. Without it, they cannot:
- Predict light levels (foot-candles) on the floor and work surfaces.
- Ensure uniform light coverage and avoid dark spots.
- Calculate the optimal number of fixtures and their precise spacing.
- Generate professional lighting layouts to include in your proposal.
Dropping a bid because of a missing IES file is an unforced error. Always ensure your supplier provides downloadable IES files for each high bay model you specify.
LM-79 Report: The Official Performance Transcript
If the IES file is the map, the LM-79 report is the spec sheet for the engine. An LM-79 test, officially known as the IES LM-79-19 Approved Method, measures the complete performance of the entire luminaire. It’s the certified proof of a manufacturer’s claims. Here are the key data points you need from it:
- Total Luminous Flux (Lumens): The total amount of light emitted. This is the baseline, but it's far from the whole story.
- Luminous Efficacy (lumens per watt, lm/W): This is the crucial efficiency metric. A higher lm/W means more light for less electricity, which is the core of your energy savings argument and a requirement for utility rebates via programs like the DesignLights Consortium (DLC) Qualified Products List.
- Correlated Color Temperature (CCT): Measured in Kelvin (K), this defines the color of the light (e.g., 4000K for neutral white, 5000K for cool white).
- Color Rendering Index (CRI): A score from 0-100 indicating how accurately the light reveals the true colors of objects. For a warehouse, 80+ is standard.
- Power Factor (PF): A measure of electrical efficiency. A PF >0.90 is the minimum for commercial projects and is required by DLC.
Common Misconception Debunked: Sizing a project by lumens alone is a frequent mistake. A 20,000-lumen fixture with a 120° beam angle might be perfect for an open area, but it will create massive wasted light and glare in a narrow aisle between tall racks. The IES file’s distribution data is just as important as the lumen output.
2. Proving Durability and Safety
Performance data wins the design, but safety and reliability data get the project signed off by inspectors and ensures long-term client satisfaction.
Lifetime Projections: LM-80 and TM-21 Reports
Anyone can claim a "100,000-hour lifetime," but professionals demand proof. That proof comes from two IES standards:
- IES LM-80: This standard tests the lumen depreciation of the LED chips themselves, not the whole fixture. The chips are run for thousands of hours (typically 6,000-10,000) under controlled temperatures.
- IES TM-21: This is a mathematical method that uses the LM-80 data to project the long-term lumen maintenance of the light source. The result is the L70 rating, which is the projected time until the fixture outputs 70% of its initial lumens.
The "6x Rule" Myth Buster: The IES explicitly forbids projecting lifetime beyond six times the LM-80 test duration. If a manufacturer used a 6,000-hour LM-80 test, they cannot claim a lifetime longer than 36,000 hours based on that data. A "100,000-hour" claim requires at least 16,667 hours of actual testing. Always ask for the LM-80/TM-21 report to verify longevity claims.
Essential Safety and Durability Ratings
- UL/ETL Certification: A UL or ETL Listed mark indicates the fixture complies with North American safety standards, primarily UL 1598 for Luminaires. This is non-negotiable for passing electrical inspections and satisfying insurance requirements.
- IP Rating (Ingress Protection): Defined by IEC standard 60529, this two-digit number rates the enclosure's sealing against solids and liquids. For barns, workshops, and warehouses, IP65 is the standard, signifying it is dust-tight and protected from water jets.
- IK Rating (Impact Protection): An IK rating indicates resistance to mechanical impact. For fixtures in a gymnasium or mounted low in a warehouse where they could be hit by equipment, an IK08 rating (protection against a 5-joule impact) is a valuable indicator of durability.
Products like the Hyperlite LED High Bay Light - Black Hero Series, 21750lumens package these specifications together, offering selectable CCT and wattage, a 120-277V driver, and verified UL and DLC listings, simplifying the specification process.
3. Applying the Data: Design Best Practices
With the right data in hand, you can move on to designing a layout that delivers on performance.
Key Design Targets for High Bay Applications
Here are some field-tested heuristics for warehouse and industrial spaces:
| Parameter | General Warehousing | Inspection/Packing Zones | Key Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Illuminance | 30–50 foot-candles (fc) | 75–150 foot-candles (fc) | Match light level to the task complexity. |
| Uniformity (Min/Avg) | ≥ 0.5 | ≥ 0.7 | Prevents dark spots and ensures consistent visibility. |
| Glare (UGR) | ≤ 25 | ≤ 22 | Reduces eye strain and improves safety for workers. |
| S/MH Ratio | 1.0–1.5 | 0.7–1.0 | Spacing-to-Mounting-Height ratio guides fixture placement. |
A Practical Checklist for Your Submittal
Before submitting your next high bay proposal, ensure you have this information for each specified fixture:
- [ ] Downloadable IES File (.ies)
- [ ] LM-79 PDF Report
- [ ] LM-80 / TM-21 Lifetime Report
- [ ] UL/ETL Certificate or File Number
- [ ] DLC QPL Listing ID (for rebates)
- [ ] IP and IK Ratings
- [ ] Driver Voltage Range (e.g., 120-277V)
- [ ] Dimming Protocol (0-10V is the standard)
- [ ] Fixture Weight and Mounting Details
Wrapping Up: From Data to Done Deal
Winning commercial lighting jobs requires more than just a good price. It demands technical proof and meticulous planning. By ensuring every UFO high bay you specify is backed by a complete set of photometric and safety documentation—from IES and LM-79 files to UL and lifetime reports—you eliminate delays, reduce risk, and build trust with engineers and clients. This data-driven approach is what separates a professional bid from a hopeful guess.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between an LM-79 and LM-80 report?
An LM-79 report measures the performance of the entire, fully assembled LED fixture (lumens, wattage, CCT, CRI). An LM-80 report only tests the individual LED chips to determine their rate of lumen depreciation over time.
Where can I find IES files for a fixture?
Manufacturers should provide them directly on the product page or in a dedicated technical resource library on their website. If you cannot find them, contact the manufacturer directly. Do not proceed with a specification until you have the file.
Why is a 120° beam angle not always the best choice?
A wide 120° beam is great for open areas, but in aisles between tall racks, much of the light spills onto the top of the racks instead of the floor. This wastes energy and can create glare. For racked aisles, a narrower distribution (e.g., 60° or 90°) or a specialized aisle-optic lens is a much more effective solution.
What does 0-10V dimming mean?
It is an analog lighting control protocol that uses a low-voltage DC signal (from 0 to 10 volts) to control the light output from 1% to 100%. It is the most common and reliable method for commercial dimming and is compatible with a wide range of occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, and wall-box dimmers.