Considerations for Selecting More Sustainable, American-Made Lighting Fixtures

Beyond designing a lighting plan that minimizes energy waste by delivering the necessary light when and where it is needed and selecting a lamp type to meet the energy consumption goals of the project, design teams can further reduce the environmental footprint of the lighting system by selecting fixtures made from recyclable or recycled materials, finished in environmentally-friendly powder coating, and ultimately qualifying as Made in America.

The Environmentally Friendly Powder Coat

Powder coating is the fastest-growing finishing technique in North America and for good reason. As demand for more environmentally conscious manufacturing processes grows, more products are turning away from solvent-based wet paint solution and toward the toxin-free powder coating process. The powder coating process is used to apply a decorative and protective finish to a wide range of metal parts without the use of any solvents, eliminating VOC emissions.

The powder is a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin, which is sprayed with a special spray gun that electro-statically charges the powder. The charged powder adheres to the electrically grounded metal parts. Then the powder is heated to its melting point and fused into a smooth coating in a curing oven. The result is a uniform, high-quality and attractive finish that is highly durable, and resistant to scratches, cracking, peeling, UV rays and rust. 

Powder-coated lighting fixtures are available in variety of colors, a wide range of glosses, and diverse textures.

Powder Coat Warranty

While the powder coating process may be described similarly from manufacturer to manufacturer, the durability of each powder coat can be significantly different. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is the group within the aluminum products industry responsible for certifying that a powder coat warranty is accurate. The warranty guarantees that the finish on the interior or exterior aluminum fixture will withstand the elements for a specified period of time. In order to verify these claims, the AAMA certification process places materials under a variety of stresses designed to simulate an extreme outdoor experience including intense heat, salt spray, boiling water and abrasion tests.

The Buy American Provision of the ARRA

On February 17, 2009, Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), in an effort to counter the negative effects of a recession that devastated the economy and resulted in unfinished building projects and lost jobs. The ARRA appropriated more than $700 billion to fund federal tax relief, expansion of unemployment benefits, and domestic spending in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.  Projects that meet certain criteria may qualify for stimulus funding under ARRA. The ARRA includes a “Buy American” provision that encourages support of domestic companies and US workers. This includes specific requirements about the origins of manufactured goods to be used in projects receiving stimulus money. Products designed, assembled, and painted in the US may comply with this standard, although they may contain materials and components from local, national, and international partners. Specify lighting fixtures classified as “American-Made” that qualify for use under the “Buy American” provision of the ARRA to take advantage of this stimulus funding.

Bock Lighting, founded in 2009 strives to be an innovator in the lighting industry with its quality products and service. Bocks founders have decades of experience in the lighting industry, known for their innovation and commitment to quality.  www.BockLighting.com