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Colonnade Lights Frequently Asked Questions
Most Frequent Questions about Colonnade Light
Track
[ Español ]
Q: How Long Will It Last?
A: The white "Listed" PVC track will have a realistic life expectancy of
10-20 years under normal conditions.
Q: Why the big spread in years?
A: The honest answer is based upon several factors. First the location and
weather conditions in various parts of the country will affect the weathering
ability of the track. The less exposure to severe heat and westerly afternoon
sun, the longer the track will last. Second the amount of physical contact
that the track will have will be another factor in the life of the track.
Locations with heavy traffic of repair personnel throwing ropes, cables,
ladders banging against the track will all shorten the life.
Q: What about cold or icy conditions?
A: As long as you do not touch, bang or try to walk on the track, our experience
has been good in this area. If the track is icy and frozen it will break
if struck or walked on.
Q: What does "LISTED" mean?
A: This refers to the testing by a nationally recognized testing Laboratory
that is certified by ANSI and other national standard associations to perform
tests in accordance with various national standard organizations. In the
US the non profit national association for the "keeping of electrical standards"
is Underwriters Laboratories. We use the testing firm of
ETL Testing
Laboratory to perform and certify the testing of our product to the UL standard
#1571. This is the standard that regulates incandescent lighting fixtures
in the US. In Canada there is the CSA standards, of which we currently do
not test to.
Q: Why have a "Listed" lighting fixture?
A: There are many reasons and the biggest is safety.
A "Listed" product assures the consumer or buyer that the product has undergone
engineering, safety and certification performance testing based upon the
standards that have been set for the purposes that are intended for the product.
OSHA and liability concerns are generally satisfied when a "Listed" item
is utilized. In many instances where employees are covered by OSHA all electrical
equipment and apparatus must be listed.
Q: Is the ETL listing accepted in my area?
A: No jurisdiction can discriminate as to which testing
laboratory does the certification testing and listing, as long as it is within
the nationally established standards as set by the UL or ANSI organizations
in the US. If you have any problems or questions we will be glad to have
ETL provide the necessary information, court decisions etc. that shows their
establishment is authorized to provide the "Listing(s)."
Q: How is the track installed?
A: We generally refer all questions of this type to
the official installation
manual. As an overview the track can be installed with direct screws,
bolts or tabs. The tabs are most commonly glued by special adhesive to a
parapet cap or wall; sometimes screwed on, and the track is secured by a
weatherproof ty strap or 16 ga. galvanized wire. The strap or wire allows
movement and easy servicing if necessary of the track. The tabs also allow
for seasonal installation and removal if desired.
Q: How does the track go around corners?
A: The track is cut like molding and easily abutted
and sealed with the adhesive/caulk. PVC welded corners can be special ordered
on almost any angle to provide an exact miter. If the corner or connection
is intricate and difficult or has multiple "jogs and turns" then we sometimes
suggest that the track be ended and the electrical continued with a flexible
conduit such as "seat-tite" or other brand of material. See the installation
manual for more details on this subject.
Q: I have a long run and only 1 power source. Can the track carry extra circuits?
A: The track can carry extra circuits depending on
the total distance, wire size needed and the current phases involved. Consult
us with the specifics of your needs and electrical sources.
Q: I have
a 200,000 sq. ft. building, can you tell me how much track I should buy?
A: We have to know the distance or the perimeter of
the building that you are going to light. A 100' x 2,000' in line shopping
center would usually require 2,200 feet of track while a 20 story building
with 10,000 sq. ft on each floor may have a roof dimension of 100' x 100'
and only require 400 lineal feet of track.
Q: What about light bulbs?
A: We can suggest the size and type of light bulbs
and also provide these to you. We recommend the longest life bulb within
reason as this is usually the most efficient to utilize and maintain. Generally
most of our customers are buying far more in light bulb products that we
will see in years and can usually get the best deal from their suppliers
directly. We can supply specialty bulbs in colors and special long life
requirements in case and special run quantities only. Check with us for details.
We sell bulbs only with track purchases.
Q: What lengths does the track come in?
A: The track comes in standard lengths of 10-25 feet. The longer lengths are quicker to install and cost less. Shorter lengths and custom lengths are available in both the PVC and Aluminum tracks. See price sheet for more details.
DOWN LOAD PRICE SHEET
Q: What about colors?
A: The best color for the PVC is white. You get a
great deal of illumination reflected back out from the track as well as longer
life from the PVC material and less movement from expansion and contraction.
We can get other standard colors on a special order basis such as black,
gray, orange, red, blue and sometimes purple, however it generally requires
a minimum run of 5,000 feet or an up charge for the special color. Check
with us as to the color requirements and details. The Aluminum comes in a
mill finish and almost any type of other finish is available from anodizing,
powder coating, painting to special effects such as polishing or brushing
the finish before coating. Check with us for specifics.
Q: What about other questions?
A: EMAIL or FAX
these to us at 281-821-8855
or phone us at 1-800-856-5483.
Q: Internet, EMAIL?
A: Internet: http://www.colonnade.com
Contact us for more information. info@colonnade.com
LET US FILL YOUR WORLD WITH LIGHT. CALL US TODAY!
Phone: 1-800-856-5483 (281-821-4545)
FAX: 1-800-735-5383 (281-821-8855)
Website commentary: webmaster@colonnade.com
Copyright © 1998 by Colonnade Lights International, Inc.