by a Towards 2000 Senior Systems Designer Article reprinted from Nightclub & Bar - April 1997

hink of it as the original entertainment lighting effect. But that doesn't mean that ultraviolet lighting is old­fashioned; rather, it's one of the hottest effects around these days. The glowing properties of UV have been enchanting mankind probably since cave­dwellers discovered phosphorescent rocks in their living rooms. And while nothing much has changed in term of the beauty and impact of what we like to call "dayglow," UV has made a big comeback as a tasteful design alternative. Look closely and you'll find UV effects used in areas ranging from nightclubs and themed retail establishments to films and music videos. Actually, "nightglow" would be a better term for the effect because the luminescent qualities of UV pigments show up best in total darkness. In fact, the only thing that will degrade a UV paint application is direct sunlight. Special sealants are available that can extend the life of certain luminescent colors by up to nine times, but do not use fluorescent colors in outdoor applications unless you will be happy with a two- to three-month life span for the effect. Typically, visible UV paints used indoors will last almost 10 years. The invisible pigments have shorter life, but should last five years under the same conditions. In most nightclub and theatrical venues, this longevity should make UV design themes quite cost­effective. Also, most well­planned applications are simple to install and require little or no maintenance. Use Your Imagination Fluorescent costumes, luminescent body paint, architectural highlights, airbrushed murals, phosphorescent hair spray and PVC confetti are among the creative options available to designers interested in using UV effects in a nightclub setting. When planning your design, don't restrict yourself to the standard orange, green­blue and yellow color scheme that you may remember from rock posters of the '60s and '70s. UV paints come in at least a dozen colors, and many are acrylic­based so they can be mixed to create earthy tones or pastels. If you thin these paints with water, they can be very economical to spray on paper, wood, cement, fabrics, or metals to create a whole range of effects. And if you use invisible paints, it is possible to design a space with two completely different looks, depending on the UV capabilities of the lighting system. Before you start painting, check out the different types of paint available. There is even a special primer coat designed to make luminescent paints adhere better and last longer. The Technology Most fixtures, such as the lines of UV effects from Wildfire and ZC&R, are UL­listed and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to choose one that is best suited for your particular application. Long­throw units, such as Wildfire's 400-watt luminaire, are excellent for wide coverage, even at distances up to 175 feet. Others-ZC&R's Ultra-Compact, for example-features a 175-watt self-ballasted lamp that provides wide coverage, but is best used in throws around 10 to 15 feet. Many fixtures are adjustable in beam shape and lens aperture and are easy to operate by anyone familiar with standard lekos and frensels. So what are the real differences between this newer technology and relatively inexpensive 48-inch black light tubes? The new types of lamps generally provide much more output and a greatly reduced level of unwanted visible light wavelengths. Remember, true UV is in the mostly invisible part of the spectrum (about 280 to 400 nanometers), not dark blue or purple. Tubes are essentially fluorescent lightbulbs with purple glass and no phosphorescent coating inside, so they emit ultraviolet light. But the newer UV lamps and fixtures are designed specifically for ultraviolet. This quality means that just a few of them can replace dozens of standard black light tubes. Besides the cost of the tubes, the smaller number of fixtures required means less wiring and thus, lower installation costs. But even though high­tech UV fixtures provide better power and quality, there are situations where standard black light tubes certainly warrant consideration. In applications where space is limited and there is proximity to the "object d'glow," a two-inch diameter black light tube could work just fine. If cost is a factor and you don't need much UV effect, this may be the way to go. Also, many of the powerful UV fixtures require a ballast, which means that you cannot strobe the effect with a mechanical dowser or gel scroll devise. For budget and simplicity, some manufacturers -Programsistems, for example-make strobing dual-lamp black lights that work very well. The Proof Many manufacturers of high-quality carpets, fabrics, acrylic, PVC materials and paints take advantage of UV lighting. A good designer can take several of these items and create a stunning display that will serve as a real showpiece. Many recent films, including "The Nutty Professor" and the "Star Trek" and "Batman" series, and several rock bands, such as Alice in Chains, have used effects based on ZC&R Blacklight fixtures. Both Disneyland and Caesar's Palace use Wildfire fixtures to liven up spectacular themed areas. And Glow, a retail store in Universal City's City Walk, makes extensive use of powerful UV fixtures. The possibilities are exciting and nearly limitless. So keep your eyes open and you'll see just how effective and economical UV can be to set your club apart from the rest.