Temp jobsite lighting questions

[PetrosA]

I was asked to provide some temporary jobsite lighting for the first time in years (I'll put it like this - the last time I did temp lights we were attaching sockets to THHN...). Some questions arose as I was researching what's available out there and I'm hoping some of you will have current answers. I've looked through 410 in the 2008 NEC but can't seem to find anything that applies to temp lights specifically.

- I noticed on a few of the websites that string lights were UL, NEC and/or OSHA compliant with various years but couldn't find anything specific about what is currently needed or what exactly is it about the lights that make them compliant or not. What do I need to look for?

- Some strings are sold with a plug, others without. What are the limitations if you get one without a plug on it?


On a less technical note, how do you bill for temp lights on a job? Monthly, one-time fee, T+M or some other way?

 

[ActionDave]

What are you lighting up?

We quit using light strings long ago and switched to 150W metal halide. One or two can give a ton more light than a hundred 100W A19's.

 

[Strathead]

This is mostly going to be personal opinion, experience and observation. First, OSHA does have some standards for temp lighting, but they are solid. Many of the larger Construction Managers are requiring temp lighting with hard usage cords and no exposed splices, but that is not an OSHA thing as of yet. A cheap light string is about $60, a hard usage string is about $85. One thing the code does direct is that the circuit feeding the lights shall not be feeding other loads.

Ok Onward.

Charging. If you are the EC on the job, then a flat fee is what I would do. In part your cost will need to be determined by if you have any of the strings and/or you will be keeping them after for future jobs. I provide them all the time, so A cost of about .07 to .12 per square foot depending on the size and number of rooms is fair. The thing is, if you aren't on the job, you should just charge the GC for the temp lights and tell them they own them. If you use the hard usage, you need to stay on top of the construction to ensure they don't get routed through walls where the only way to get them out is to cut them. This is a constant task throughout framing. So it isn't a one time task.

 

[PetrosA]

Thanks for your thoughts. This job is so small that honestly, I was shocked when they asked me to provide temp lighting. It's literally one room in a house where a ten light string would be more than sufficient. Most of the contractors I work with have all the jobsite lights they need. I looked at the HID lights, but in this small space someone would go blind if I hung one in there. I think I'll just get a ten light string and call it a day. I don't want to put any more energy into this than I already have :dunce:

 

[Strathead]

Thanks for your thoughts. This job is so small that honestly, I was shocked when they asked me to provide temp lighting. It's literally one room in a house where a ten light string would be more than sufficient. Most of the contractors I work with have all the jobsite lights they need. I looked at the HID lights, but in this small space someone would go blind if I hung one in there. I think I'll just get a ten light string and call it a day. I don't want to put any more energy into this than I already have :dunce:

for one room, I wouldn't even buy a string. I would either put up 4' fuor. or get a couple of lamp sockets with pigtails and some romex and make my own string, or if that doesn't appeal, a couple octagon boxes and keyless sockets.

 

[Electric-Light]

I'm not really fond of "L E D" lamps in general, but the Philips SlimStyle is good for kicking around. You have to make some effort to break them. The output is about the same as a rough service 100W bulb, which is about the same as a regular 60W. It'll take some effort to break this. There's a 75W version if you want more output. There are many LED lamps that are completely useless for this task, because they're too heavy and destroy the socket if dropped or they are made of glass.