The Importance of Documentation
- Marc Haile
- Jul 9, 2019
- 3 min read
As I start to write this blog, it says, "Write something catchy here!" And then I realize.....there is nothing "Catchy" about documentation. You see architects carrying them around and explaining to foremen and contractors how something is to be built. they are the boring and mundane "As-Built" design plans, blueprints, schematics, etc. etc. So why is this documentation so important, and why do you need them for something as simple as landscape lighting? Well, the fact it, it's not so simple.
Believe it or not, there is a lot of information that accompanies a lighting design. Most people think, "There are lights here, here, and there! Big Deal!" well, it IS a big deal. It is hard to imagine a lighting system breaking down when it is first installed, but sooner or later, it will need to be worked on. And when that time comes, it will be clear how much of a "Big Deal" it actually is.
*Disclaimer* I will take this time to inform you that all lighting systems need maintenance. LED's do not last forever, lawn maintenance crews do step on fixtures, plants do grow, and mother nature is very harsh. If someone tells you LED's last forever and you won't need to touch your system after it is installed, run away! They are either lying to you, or they don't know what they are doing. I recommend at least a yearly maintenance schedule if not more to keep your system functioning properly. But besides maintenance, there are several reasons documentation is important.
For instance, let's look at a scenario in which the lighting system has been installed for several years, and the LED lamps have started to go out, a few connections are loose, a fixture is missing, and a whole group of lights are not turning on. The system was installed before the current homeowner bought the house, so they have no idea who installed it! Even if the homeowner calls a qualified lighting technician, it will take hours of troubleshooting, figuring out what brand materials it is, lamp wattages, blind digging, and just time in general to get a grip on the system. And we all know that time equals money.
***IMPORTANT***
Some homeowners like to take a do-it-yourself approach and start to fix the system themselves and replacing burnt out lamps. Many times, they will choose the highest wattage lamp that a big box store carries, because more watts equals more light, right? DO NOT DO THIS! Lighting designs are installed based on the original design's wattage loads, and if those loads are changed, it could overload the system. In general, low voltage systems are quite safe, but overloading a system with too many amps will cause all types of problems, and can even start a fire! not to mention, having more light than the original design calls for will not allow your system to look as good as it could. Unless you know exactly what you are doing, it is probably best to leave it to the professionals.
When I Design a system, I include all the information that will be needed to troubleshoot and maintain the system for years to come. Where wire is run, what fixtures are grouped together, fixture brand/make/model, what materials the fixture is made out of, lamp brand/beam spread/wattage, lumens, and any added accessories such as louvers or lenses. There is a key that includes more information such as transformer loads, voltage taps, and controls. sometimes, the homeowner has a landscape design document that I can work off of, but if not I will incorporate my own design of the property. This allows us to document the type of effect we are trying to achieve with a specific tree or plant. And lastly, there is the contact information for Eldorado Outdoor Lighting LLC, so the homeowner can call us directly, and skip all the hassle of not knowing!
Documentation is technical, and to be honest pretty boring. But having the information on hand can save countless hours and headaches down the road, and lead to smooth operation and maintenance of your outdoor lighting system and insure that your system looks just as good as it did when it was first installed.
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