The lighting in your commercial kitchen matters to ensure safe working conditions and adequate visibility. Your fixtures must be safe to install in the environment, including cold or high temperatures, if water is present, and more. This blog lays out the information you need to know to help choose the commercial lights you need, including specifications, placement, and more.
Certifications and Safety Compliance for Commercial Kitchen
The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) protects public health and the environment by establishing guidelines to certify that products meet its sustainability and safety standards. Its certifications cover various industries, including food and beverage, water systems, transportation, etc. Related to the food and beverage sector, we carry NSF-certified products that meet the requirements set in Standard 2 of NSF/ANSI (American National Standards Institute): Food Equipment.
Fixtures certified by these standards have been proven to be constructed of shatterproof materials and can withstand high-pressure washdowns. The main feature of these lights is that they’re easy to clean, which is vital for kitchens to remove food particles or debris.
Types of LED Commercial Kitchen Light Fixtures
NSF Lighting
We carry a complete line of NSF rated light fixtures. The product offering includes:
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UFO and Linear High Bays: These fixtures can provide sufficient overhead lighting for commercial kitchens with ceilings at least 18 feet from the ground. Our NSF high bays have an IP69K rating, making them ideal for areas requiring high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns. Select products also feature high ambient operating temperature ratings (65°C or 149°F) for locations experiencing higher heat.
- Standard Strip Fixtures: Strip fixtures provide wide light output and are common for longer runs of aisles, such as throughout food storage areas. Link these fixtures together for longer continuous runs. These strips can provide task lighting when installed in manufacturing and processing areas, food preparation spaces, cold stores, and refrigeration rooms. To reduce energy, use compatible motion sensors in freezers or storage areas with less traffic.
- Vapor-Tight Lights: These impact-resistant strip fixtures are sealed to prevent damage from moisture, dust, and other airborne contaminants. They have at least an IP65 rating and can provide focused, task lighting above food preparation areas. We carry jelly jar vapor-tight lights that aren’t NSF certified, but have IP65 ratings and have operating temperatures as low as -40°C/°F, making them ideal for storage and freezer areas.
- T8 Tube Lights: Commercial LED tube lighting works in retrofit or new applications. Installed in troffers or LED-ready strip light fixtures, they provide general area lighting in food preparation areas. Our T8 tubes are Hybrid Type A/B 3-in-1 universal lamps, compatible with both existing ballasts and direct-wire (bypass) installations. These fixtures are constructed with a shatterproof coating to increase durability.
NSF certified fixtures will feature the following logo:
Exit Signs and Emergency Lights
Installing exit signs and emergency lighting in your kitchen can protect employees or customers in an emergency. Use exit signs in your commercial kitchen to indicate the nearest exit. You can also install emergency lights, which provide additional illumination and direct people towards the exit. Combo lights that combine exit signs and emergency lights are available. All our exit signs and emergency lights maintain at least 90 minutes of illumination during a power outage.
What to Consider
There are a few factors to consider to guarantee the lights are the best fit for your industrial kitchen. These include Color Rendering Index (CRI), IP Ratings, and ambient temperature.
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Color Rendering Index (CRI): We recommend at least an 80+ CRI in a commercial kitchen. An 80 CRI is good and ensures employees can determine the food quality based on coloring.
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IP Ratings: Lighting installed in a kitchen that will either be installed near wet areas or be washed down must have a proper IP rating.
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Temperatures: You must also ensure the fixture can withstand its installed ambient temperature. For example, the lights installed in a walk-in freezer must be operable in temperatures typically around 0°F or -18 °C. On the other hand, lights installed around cooking areas might be susceptible to higher temperatures. Some of our high-temperature NSF high bays can operate from -40 to 65 °C (-40 to 149 °F).
Benefits of Using LED Lights in Your Commercial Kitchen
Using LED lights in your commercial kitchen has multiple benefits. One of the most significant benefits is increased energy efficiency. LEDs' energy efficiency leads to cost savings through lower electricity bills, and the increased longevity reduces the frequency of maintenance and replacement costs. LEDs also release little to no heat, making them a safer and more comfortable option in kitchens already prone to high temperatures.
Installation Tips
If you’re swapping out your existing fixtures, consider the equivalent wattage rating of LED replacements. Since LEDs are significantly more efficient than traditional fixtures, they can produce the same amount of light while using less energy. The equivalent wattage rating indicates the LED light has the same lumen output as a traditional bulb of that wattage. For example, this 18W T8 tube equates to a 32W fluorescent T8 tube because they output the same amount of lumens (2,040).
When installing, you must also consider the layout, including proper spacing and an adequate number of fixtures. The IES recommended light level for commercial kitchens is 50-100 footcandles (538-1,076 lux) at the work surface. However, for assistance with the exact number of products you need with the recommended footcandles, luminaires, and spacing, call our commercial sales or product support team for assistance at 888-249-8166.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Licensed Electrician for Installation?
We recommend that a qualified electrician completes kitchen light installations. However, you should always verify with the requirements set in your local code. For specific installation instructions, refer to our product’s user manual.
What CCT Do I Need for My Industrial Kitchen?
Industrial kitchen lights should emit a natural white (4000-5000K) to create a feeling of focus. Additionally, this more intense white ensures that kitchen workers see properly when preparing the food, including noticing any discolorations and assessing whether it's fully cooked.
Are Rebates Available For Installing LEDs in My Commercial Kitchen?
Many NSF and regular light fixtures hold a DLC Listing or DLC Premium Certification. The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) has approved DLC Certified Products to meet energy-efficiency standards, provide great light quality, and minimize glare. Certain utility companies will offer rebates for companies using DLC Listed or DLC Premium products. Check with your local energy companies to see if rebates or cash incentives are available.
How Can I Replace My Existing Kitchen Lighting With LEDs?
When upgrading your lighting with LEDs, you have two options: relamping or replacing. Relamping involves retrofitting the existing fixture by swapping out the LED light tube or bulb. A full fixture replacement entails completely removing the existing fixture and installing a new one. There are benefits to both. Relamping usually costs less money and involves an easier installation process than a replacement. However, a full replacement can reduce required maintenance and increase energy efficiency.
Choose relamping when you’re using the same number of lights for the same purpose as the current fixtures. However, a replacement is a better choice if you need fewer fixtures than what you initially had. This is common when swapping out fixtures with LEDs since they have a better light output compared to traditional fixtures.
Shop Now
If you’re ready to elevate your lighting in your commercial kitchen, check out our line of NSF Rated Lighting at Industrial Commercial Lighting. For specific product questions, contact our knowledgeable team of product support specialists by calling 888-249-8166 or by completing this contact form.
