Columbia University
OP-T2-14: Lighting Sensors

Most academic spaces on the Morningside campus have lighting controls with timers, a combination of motion and infrared sensors as appropriate to the lighting application. The university is transitioning to newer, more reliable technology for all future construction projects. These new controls will be able to determine whether a space is truly vacant and switch off lights accordingly, as well as adjusting to natural light levels. The Alumni Center has the new device installed already. Spaces under renovation are also retrofitted with occupancy sensors whenever appropriate to the lighting application. There are photocell and infrared timers. New LED lighting has been installed with sensors that have a set back feature that will reduce the lighting down to 50% but when walk through the motion sensor return to preset lighting percentage. Additionally, all the light poles on campus are on timers. Wall Switch occupancy sensors are installed in dorm rooms and dorm bathrooms as an energy conservation measure. When the lights are manually turned off, they will not be controlled by motion in the room until they are manually turned back on. Where the motion sensor location does not have a clear view of the students in the space, a digital timer sensor is installed instead, as an energy conservation measure. Timer switches are manually turned on and will save energy by automatically turning the lights off after a preset time. As fixtures are replaced, bi-level lighting is going in with sensors in residential apartments for faculty, staff and graduate students (but in undergraduate residence halls hallway bi-levels motion sensors had to be discontinued due to wireless interference). At the medical campus, as each space is renovated, lighting occupancy sensors have been installed in the space to help control for occupancy. Bathrooms and small utility closets in the research buildings have also been equipped with occupancy sensors regardless of whether or not they were renovated. Laundry rooms and trash closets have been outfitted with motion sensors in the residential towers. Lighting sensor retrofits outside of general renovation were performed within the Hammer and Black buildings. Additional information on Columbia's residential light sensors: http://housingservices.columbia.edu/content/our-green-initiatives#Lighting%20Project