Lights are on - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

4X4 · 02-08-2005, 11:14 PM

I heard that there are some kind of rules or stipulations regarding the downtown skyscrapers leaving on a certain percentage of their lights at night. Reasons vary from air traffic to skyline beautification.

I've considered that nighttime maintenance has something to do with this, but I tossed the idea out to a few buddies tonight. We all disagree. What do you guys think (or perhaps KNOW)?

Andrew · 02-08-2005, 11:21 PM

Were you drunk when conversing about this

BlackArcher101 · 02-08-2005, 11:22 PM

I'd say it's a load... that's why tall buildings have aircraft recognition lights on top. All aircraft know the heights of the tallest building in the area too.

I'm going to say it's the cleaning staff or employees leaving them on. Or simply because they can't be turned off. Security/safety reasons.

4X4 · 02-08-2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew@Feb 8 2005, 11:21 PM
Were you drunk when conversing about this

Yeah, alcohol was involved. But really, I've seen random lights on at all hours of the night. Just wondering if any of you guys have worked for the maintenance crew or maybe city hall. Why would the cleaning crews be working on 32 different floors at the same time?

V · 02-08-2005, 11:57 PM

Any high-rise that is being built these days has timers controlling the lighting system. To be code compliant, all office type buildings have to have an average light level of 1 foot candle at night for emergency lighting. This means that energized lights will be scattered throughout the office building. Some of these lights are close to windows, and those are the ones you see.

If the cleaning staff turns lights on, they will be turned off within an hour by the timer. Power is pretty expensive, so owners of these buildings make sure there are systems in place to guarantee lights won't be unnecessarily burning all night.

Not to mention that there are crazies out there (like me) that work late into the night and need the light to see.

RougeUnderoos · 02-09-2005, 12:09 AM

This is Calgary. All those buildings are run by oil companies and it's just a signal that they have energy and money to burn, literally.

It's like wearing tight jeans just to show off your package.

4X4 · 02-09-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken@Feb 8 2005, 11:57 PM
Any high-rise that is being built these days has timers controlling the lighting system. To be code compliant, all office type buildings have to have an average light level of 1 foot candle at night for emergency lighting. This means that energized lights will be scattered throughout the office building. Some of these lights are close to windows, and those are the ones you see.

If the cleaning staff turns lights on, they will be turned off within an hour by the timer. Power is pretty expensive, so owners of these buildings make sure there are systems in place to guarantee lights won't be unnecessarily burning all night.

Not to mention that there are crazies out there (like me) that work late into the night and need the light to see.

Well, that's a little more scientifically sound than 'the cleaning lady left the lights on'.

Thanks.

Cheese · 02-09-2005, 10:00 AM

The real answer is.....all skyscrapers have nightlights....those that are not switched into the system for safety/security reasons. It is mandated by Provincial and National Codes.
This usually encompasses 10-25% of a given floorspace. When you see a full floor on it usually means someone is burning the midnight candle. There are many ways around that misuse as well with Low Volatge Lighting systems, however most companies have not spent the coin to upgrade ignoring the fact they are tossing away thousands of dollars a year in energy costs. This is changing rapidly however, as Governments have made it financially viable with credits.
States like California and Florida to nmame two, have the best laws when it comes to energy usagte and lights....and they generally drive the industry and what happens here 5 years later.

Thats a quickie response to a much tougher question.

V · 02-09-2005, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GerryCheevers@Feb 9 2005, 10:00 AM
The real answer is.....all skyscrapers have nightlights....those that are not switched into the system for safety/security reasons.

Otherwise known as emergency lighting, just like I said. And to meet code, the lighting level must be 1 foot candle.

And a lot of the high rises have upgraded their lighting systems. I've designed a few of them myself.

shoestring · 02-09-2005, 08:14 PM

Don't they leave a % of lights on just so birds don't crash into their buildings too?

V · 02-09-2005, 08:35 PM

That has never been brought up in any design that I've taken part in.

shoestring · 02-09-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dominicwasalreadytaken@Feb 9 2005, 09:35 PM
That has never been brought up in any design that I've taken part in.

hmmph .well it should,I think ,maybe
I do know there is people that collect the birds that hit buildings and help them regain there senses.

Superfraggle · 02-09-2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shoestring@Feb 9 2005, 08:14 PM
Don't they leave a % of lights on just so birds don't crash into their buildings too?

I don't think there are a lot of birds flying around the skyscrapers at night...

If they're on during the day, wouldn't the bird be more likely to not realize there's a window and smack into it?

Mean Mr. Mustard · 02-09-2005, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shoestring@Feb 9 2005, 08:41 PM

I do know there is people that collect the birds that hit buildings and help them regain there senses.

Crazies?

shoestring · 02-09-2005, 11:38 PM

I remember a show about it from Toronto,there was like five birds a night that these people rescued.
Birds don't fly at night? And I am not sure if birds realize what windows are?

shoestring · 02-11-2005, 03:05 AM

Hello anybody home?
Superfraggle I don't really understand your question?
MMM I know "volunteers of america" is your antithesis,but crazy?

BlackArcher101 · 02-11-2005, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shoestring@Feb 11 2005, 03:05 AM
Hello anybody home?

Admit it... you're a thread killer aren't you.

Mean Mr. Mustard · 02-11-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shoestring@Feb 11 2005, 03:05 AM
MMM I know "volunteers of america" is your antithesis,but crazy?

Come on, here is what they are doing, they are finding flying rats in pigeons and tryingt to nurse them back to health so they can spend the rest of their days eating garbage and ******* everywhere. Sorry but that would just about be my definition of crazy. You know what if there is a bird that is rare or endangered then fine, but they are nursing some sickly bird which there are already to many of back to health. How can one have nothing better to do with their time.