At MHSC Energy, we design lighting layouts that balance efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility. Our latest project at McCoy’s Building Supply in El Paso, TX reflects this approach—with a layout designed not just for today’s open floor plan, but for the racking and changes to come.
Design Intent
For the McCoy’s El Paso location, the space is currently open and unracked—presenting both a challenge and an opportunity. The goal was to create a lighting grid that is both visually uniform and operationally flexible. In environments like these, it’s critical that lighting remains functional after the space is retrofitted with racking or shelving.
We approached this with a design philosophy based on repeatable, evenly spaced fixture rows, creating a consistent lighting footprint across the entire open floor. We often use three rows with 8–9 fixtures per row in McCoy’s layouts, depending on the dimensions. This format not only makes installation easier but also reduces the likelihood of shadowed zones once racking is introduced.
Because fixture spacing and symmetry directly affect the quality of the lighting environment, this layout was designed with precision. The goal isn’t just to meet lighting codes—it’s to deliver a lighting experience that enhances safety, product visibility, and operational efficiency.
Luminaire Details
Lighting performance starts with the right fixture. For this project, we specified the LHB11550 luminaire—a high-performance, high-bay solution that’s well-suited for large-format commercial and industrial environments. Known for reliability, longevity, and high lumen output, it’s a favorite for projects that demand performance without compromise.
Here’s a full breakdown of the fixture data used in our design:
Fixture Specifications:
Model: LHB11550
Lamps per Fixture: 1
Lumens per Fixture: 16,858
Total Fixtures Used: 156
Total System Lumens: 2,629,848
Total System Wattage: 17,534.4 W
Luminaire Light Loss Factor (LLF): 1.000
Average Illuminance: 147.50 lux (prior to racking)
This level of output is intentionally high—built to account for the anticipated drop in lux levels once racking is installed. Based on our modeling and past installations, lux levels will likely settle in the 80–90 range, which is ideal for inventory visibility, safety, and overall usability in a warehouse setting.
Choosing the right fixture is only part of the equation. At MHSC Energy, we take pride in accurately modeling lighting performance with real-world assumptions, not overly optimistic projections.
Layout Dimensions & Environmental Details
To ensure accuracy and repeatability, all layout dimensions are plotted in feet and inches, and fixture positions are spaced for uniformity across the grid. We factor in environmental reflectance properties to produce realistic lighting simulations that mirror actual conditions.
Layout Parameters:
Wall Height: 20 ft
Mounting Height: 20 ft
Workplane Height: 2.5 ft
Room Surface Reflectance (Default Modeling Values):
Ceiling Reflectance: 0.80
Wall Reflectance: 0.50
Floor Reflectance: 0.20
These reflectance values are purposefully conservative. Although the actual space may have lighter walls or flooring materials that reflect more light, we aim for worst-case lighting scenarios. This way, our clients and contractors can be confident they’re getting performance that meets or exceeds expectations in practice—not just on paper.
Why This Layout Works
This McCoy’s El Paso design succeeds because it anticipates change. With no racking in place, it’s tempting to design for open-space brightness only. But we know from experience that light levels drop when shelving is added.
By starting with higher initial lux levels and spacing fixtures to allow light to spread around future obstacles, this layout delivers lasting value and performance—even as the space evolves.
Future-Proofing the Space
Lighting isn’t just about today—it’s about scalability. As McCoy’s continues to expand or reconfigure its El Paso facility, this layout is designed to grow with it. Whether it’s rearranged storage, additional product lines, or new aisle configurations, the symmetrical grid ensures consistent coverage no matter how the floor changes.
This makes the layout ideal not only for contractors but for facility managers and retail operations teams who value performance with minimal rework.
Let’s Work Together
At MHSC Energy, we don’t just produce lighting layouts—we design real-world lighting solutions that help contractors deliver better outcomes.
📞Contact us today to request a layout, partner on a new project, or learn more about our contractor-ready design services.
