Commercial New Build Lighting & Controls

Before installation begins, OTC reviews the lighting information provided for the project, including:

• Lighting plans

• Reflected ceiling plans

• Fixture schedules

• Lighting-control plans

• Electrical one-lines

• Architectural plans

• Emergency-lighting requirements

• Exterior and site-lighting plans

The goal is to identify conflicts and missing information before rough-in rather than after fixtures arrive onsite.

OTC installs interior lighting systems for spaces such as:

• Offices

• Retail

• Restaurants

• Warehouses

• Lobbies

• Conference rooms

• Corridors

• Restrooms

• Breakrooms

• Production areas

• Storage areas

• Common spaces

Fixture types may include:

• Recessed fixtures

• Linear fixtures

• Decorative lighting

• Downlights

• High-bays

• Track lighting

• Pendant fixtures

• Specialty lighting

The installation is coordinated with the ceiling system, architectural layout, and final use of the space.

Modern commercial lighting systems frequently use multiple types of controls.

Depending on the project, OTC may install:

• Occupancy sensors

• Vacancy sensors

• 0–10V dimming

• Compatible line-voltage dimming

• Daylight controls

• Time clocks

• Photocells

• Contactors

• Zoned switching

• Lighting-control panels

• Automated lighting controls

The fixture, driver, and control method all need to be compatible for the system to operate correctly.

Occupancy-based controls can reduce unnecessary lighting operation in spaces such as:

• Private offices

• Conference rooms

• Restrooms

• Storage areas

• Breakrooms

• Warehouses

• Utility rooms

Sensor location matters.

Poor placement can result in lights turning off while the space is still occupied or remaining on when the room is empty.

OTC coordinates sensor locations around the actual room layout and intended use.

0–10V dimming is common in modern commercial lighting systems.

The system typically requires both line-voltage power and low-voltage control conductors between the control and compatible lighting equipment.

OTC coordinates the required wiring and verifies that the fixtures and controls are compatible with the specified dimming system.

Buildings with significant natural daylight may use daylight-responsive controls near:

• Windows

• Storefronts

• Skylights

• Open office areas

• Large exterior glazing

These systems adjust artificial lighting based on available daylight while maintaining the desired light level in the occupied space.

The sensor location, fixture zoning, and control setup all affect how well the finished system performs.

A commercial building does not always need every fixture controlled together.

Lighting may be divided into zones based on:

• Room

• Department

• Daylight exposure

• Aisle

• Work area

• Building schedule

• Exterior area

Proper zoning gives the owner more control over when and where lighting operates.

New commercial construction may include emergency lighting and exit signage as part of the overall lighting system.

Depending on the engineered design, emergency illumination may be provided through:

• Battery-backed fixtures

• Emergency LED drivers

• Inverter systems

• Generator-supported circuits

• Dedicated emergency distribution

OTC installs and tests the electrical system according to the approved project design and applicable AHJ requirements.

New-build lighting can extend beyond the building interior.

OTC can install electrical systems for:

• Parking lot lighting

• Pole lights

• Wall packs

• Walkway lighting

• Building-mounted lighting

• Canopy lighting

• Sign power

• Site lighting

Exterior lighting may be controlled through photocells, time clocks, contactors, or other control systems.

Exterior lighting frequently uses a control path such as:

Panel → Lighting Circuit → Contactor → Photocell / Time Clock → Fixtures

These components allow larger lighting zones to operate automatically based on time or available daylight.

OTC coordinates the control equipment, branch circuits, and fixture loads so the system operates as intended.

New warehouse construction requires lighting to be coordinated around:

• Ceiling height

• Racking

• Aisles

• Production areas

• Loading areas

• Work zones

OTC installs high-bay lighting and controls based on the actual layout rather than treating the warehouse as one open room.

Occupancy and zoning controls can also help reduce lighting operation in areas that are not continuously occupied.

Fixtures shown on the plans are not always the fixtures that ultimately arrive onsite.

Product substitutions can affect:

• Voltage

• Driver type

• Dimming compatibility

• Mounting

• Emergency capability

• Control requirements

OTC reviews available approved fixture information before final installation so changes are identified before they create field problems.

Some projects include lighting supplied by the owner, architect, or specialty vendor.

Before installation, OTC reviews available information for:

• Voltage

• Mounting

• Driver requirements

• Dimming

• Control compatibility

• Connection requirements

Decorative fixtures still need to work electrically with the system serving them.

Lighting rough-in often has to coordinate with:

• HVAC

• Fire sprinklers

• Fire alarm

• Low-voltage systems

• Ceiling grid

• Structural elements

• Architectural features

Resolving those conflicts before the ceiling closes helps avoid relocation, rework, and damaged finishes.

A lighting system is not complete simply because every fixture turns on.

Before turnover, OTC verifies the applicable portions of the system, including:

• Fixture operation

• Switching

• Occupancy controls

• Dimming

• Daylight controls

• Time clocks

• Photocells

• Contactors

• Emergency operation

• Exterior lighting

The purpose is to confirm that the installed lighting behaves the way the completed building is intended to operate.