Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Shat-R-Shield?
Shat-R-Shield pioneered the protective lighting industry with the first safety coated fluorescent lamp in 1970. And after all these years, Shat-R-Shield still leads the pack in every phase of doing business. In fact, the brand name Shat-R-Shield is often used as a generic term to describe “all” protective lighting. Remember, if it doesn’t say Shat-R-Shield, it’s not Shat-R-Shield.
2. Why do I need Protective Lighting?
Federal and/or state regulations require protective lighting in many industries such as food processing, foodservice, and elevators. Support suppliers to these industries (such as packagers) are also required to use safety lighting. Where not required, protective lighting should be considered to minimize the risks of unprotected glass in the workplace. (See Regulations)
3. What makes Shat-R-Shield the best?
After decades of working side-by-side with OEMs, distributors, and sales representatives, Shat-R-Shield has developed the know-how to best serve its customers and the industry it created. Shat-R-Shield offers the most thorough R&D, 3rd-party testing, distribution, professional customer service and the safest/most reliable lighting protucts in the industry.
4. Where can i buy Shat-R-Shield safety coated products?
Shat-R-Shield sells its safety coated lighting products only through distribution. To locate the stocking distributor nearest you, contact Shat-R-Shield today. A customer service team member will be happy to answer all of your questions.
5. How do I Recycle a safety coated lamp?
Plastic-coated lamps can be recycled. However, the coating must be stripped-off first. Shat-R-Shield’s safety coating (16mils) can be easily removed by slitting the coating and peeling it away from the lamp. Some recycling companies will do this for you with an added fee. Veolia and Shat-R-Shield have negotiated special pricing for lamp recycling.
6. In cost, how do Shat-R-Shield lamps compare to uncoated lamps? to tube guards?
A Shat-R-Shield safety coated lamp is so much more than an unprotected lamp. How do you put a price tag on peace of mind? Tube guards and end caps are a poor investment — more parts to inventory, end caps slip off, higher labor costs for assembly and installation, heat is trapped between the lamp and the tube promoting burnout, and tubes will become brittle over time.
7. How much does the safety coating reduce light (lumen) output?
The Shat-R-Shield clear and tough safety coating reduces light (lumen) output by less than 1%. This has been established through 3rd-party testing.
8. How does the safety coating affect UV light output?
Shat-R-Shield’s standard coating on fluorescent lamps block ultraviolet emissions up to 390 nanometers (over 95% of the UV spectrum). UV causes fading in fabric, degradation of paper, loss of vitamins and riboflavin, and adds to discoloration of food products. It can also have a negative affect on individuals with issues like photosensitivity including lupus.
9. Can you safety-coat lamps not listed in your catalog or price sheet?
Yes. Shat-R-Shield currently has a list of hundreds of lamp types that we can coat. And, even if the lamp you need is not currently on our list, there is a good possibility that we can still coat it. There are several factors that will have to be determined. A customer service team member will be happy to answer all of your questions.
10. How can I clean a Shat-R-Shield lamp?
Since our lighting products have a smooth, tough and skin-tight plastic coating, they can be completely immersed in a cleaning tank, rinsed, dried, and quickly put back into operation.
11. Can Shat-R-Shield lamps be used in washdown areas?
Shat-R-Shield safety coated lamps can be used in washdown areas if they are installed in enclosed gasketed fixtures in refrigerated areas, such as meat packing plants.
12. What is the difference in Black Lights – BL and BLB?
Shat-R-Shield offers the popular models of safety coated black lights. Depending on the ultraviolet application, BL black lights resemble ordinary white fluorescent lamps, while BLB are dark blue in appearance and produce very little visible light. Black lights in bug zapper units need to be replaced after 7,000 hours because they no longer attract insects.
13. Can I ship my lamps to you and have them safety coated?
While Shat-R-Shield will allow distributors to send their own lamps for coating, the lamps will not be warranted with the Shat-R-Shield guarantee. We purchase lamps in bulk from the major lamp manufacturers, safety-coat them, and sell through distribution. This benefits the end-user because of our negotiated price structure with our suppliers.
14. How long do Shat-R-Shield safety coated lamps last?
Shat-R-Shield lamps will perform as designed for the manufacturer’s rated life. The unique Shat-R-Shield safety coating is guaranteed to last the rated-life of the lamp provided all installation criteria is met. (See Warranty)
15. How soon will my lamps be delivered?
If we have the lamp you request in-stock, it is possible for the product to ship within the same week. If the lamp must be special-ordered, please allow three weeks for delivery. A customer service team member will be happy to answer all of your questions.