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Architectural & Decorative - Knowledge Base

Specular Reflectors - Facts you should know

Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL), Iridescence, Masking, Maintenance, Care and Cleaning Guidelines

FIELD MODIFYING a UL listed fixture in any way INVALIDATES the UL listing, whether the UL listing mark has been removed from the fixture or not! This goes for all retrofits. UL defines a retrofit as the modification of three or more fixtures. Only UL listed retrofit kits should be used.

Even then, the kits must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions included with every kit. In most cases the fixture is literally gutted and totally re-manufactured on the job. In order to validate the UL listing, the retrofit must be inspected by the party having jurisdiction over the project. This is usually the local building electrical inspector. It is his job to make sure the retrofit was done to both NEC and UL requirements.

In order to be certain the project is in fact inspected, and hence UL listed, the Building Owner must insist the retrofit contractor be licensed and obtain a building permit. Failure to make certain the UL listing is valid on the final fixture configuration can leave the building owner without insurance and open to major liability risk.

IRIDESCENCE, an optical phenomenon that produces a rain-bow like effect on the surface of specular reflectors, results from the spectral separation of the various wavelengths of light emitted by the lamp when the light reflects off of a surface.

All specular materials irides to some extent. The degree of iridescence is a function of the wave length of the light and the micro roughness of the reflective surface. The smoother (more specular) the surface the less rain-bow effect. Lower reflectivity and image quality specular type materials irides the most ( and do not carry any warrantee against iridesing) and, although normal, maybe objectionable to some customers. Higher quality specular materials with higher reflectivity and image quality irides the least and should be barely discernible.

These Low iridescent aluminum materials are available at additional cost. Customers should be told to expect this effect and that it is normal. Prototyping an area is the best way to avoid an unhappy customer.

BE SURE TO REMOVED the protective plastic strippable liner (mask) from the reflector. You would be surprised how many installers forget. Remove the mask just before the system is energized. This will reduce the need to clean construction dirt from the reflectors. Failure to remove the mask before energizing the system may cause the mask to adhere to the reflectors surface, becoming difficult or impossible to remove. Don’t forget to remove it!

MAINTENANCE, CARE AND CLEANING GUIDELINESFor general purpose cleaning, a mild (no ammonia, please!), fast-drying household cleaning solution should be used after removal of the protective strippable liner. A two percent solution of Ivory dish soap to water works well, as does a 70 percent solution of Isopropyl rubbing alcohol to water. Abrasive cleaners should be avoided. The cleaning solution should be diluted properly and kept free of dirt or other abrasive materials.

The reflective surfaces should be wiped only with light, gentle strokes, using a clean, soft cloth, preferably cotton or nylon. Paper towels, tissues, or any other wood-based products should be avoided. All specular materials will scratch or dent to some extent when handled roughly. Don't be alarmed. These cosmetic surface imperfections rarely effect performance.

Once thoroughly clean, the reflective surfaces should be dried with another dry, soft cloth. It is important to wipe off any residual cleaner, to maintain the reflector's maximum performance.

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