Restoring Original Wrought-Iron Wall Luminaries

CSI Division
Division 26 - Electrical
Section
Lighting Fixtures
Last Modified

Technical Procedures Disclaimer

Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.

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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.

PART 1–GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

  1. This procedure includes guidance on restoring and rehabilitating existing antique wrought iron bracket wall luminaries.
    NOTE: This work should be performed by an approved and experienced lighting fixture restoration or custom fabrication contractor.
  2. This work includes preserving the original qualities of the existing fixtures and rehabilitating them for continued service as installed by repairing all damage and by retrofitting the fixtures with new electrical and lighting equipment.

PART 2–PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURERS

  1. Saint Louis Antique Lighting Company
    St. Louis, MO
  2. Gibson Lighting
    Chula Vista, CA
  3. Rambusch Lighting

2.02 MATERIALS

  1. Wrought-iron and glazing to match the existing (St. Louis Antique Lighting Co., Gibson and Gibson Antique Lighting), or approved equal.
  2. Electrical equipment to be “Specifications Grade”,
    weather resistant, and low maintenance type.
  3. Finishes: Match original wrought-iron finish including two coats rust inhibiting ferrous metal primer.

PART 3–EXECUTION

3.01 PREPARATION

  1. Surface Preparation:
    1. Mark fixtures with a tag or identifying label to record the original location where installed; otherwise assume all risk for improper reinstallation.
    2. Remove fixtures to shop and disassemble, exercising care to keep original parts together for reassembly.
    3. Save original glazing for reinstallation after cleaning.

3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

  1. Clean fixtures and parts to remove dirt, rust, and weathered paint.
  2. Remove all loose rust by wire brushing, sanding, or light sand or bead blasting as required, but do not erode original metal, and “white metal” cleaning is not required.
  3. Repair or replace any broken, missing, or damaged member matching original workmanship and fastenings.
    1. Replace broken and missing glazing in kind and reinstall existing glazing with restored glazing clips and sealing compound as required, all glazing to be washed clean.
    2. Inspect and recondition or replace all fastenings, fixture mounting, hinges, and latches to restore to original strength and function.
  4. Refit each fixture with new wiring, lampholder sockets, and lamps to restore the appearance and function for electric lighting.
    1. Lampholder sockets to be weather resistant type, porcelain or heavy duty cast metal, with all brass sockets and contacts, provided with weather seal gasket as required.
    2. Retrofit fixtures for long-life, energy efficient lamp types if available for this application and the appearance is acceptable to the RHPO, otherwise continue existing lamp type installation.
      NOTE: USE CAUTION AS SOME HIGH-INTENSITY LIGHTING PRODUCES HIGHER LEVELS OF HEAT THAN THE FIXTURE WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE AND MAY REQUIRE ADDITIONAL VENTILATION OR CLEARANCE. CONSULT EXPERIENCED LIGHTING PROFESSIONALS WHEN CHANGING THE TYPE OF LIGHTING IN A FIXTURE.
  5. Finishes: Repaint all metal to restore wrought-iron finish and to make all hardware match.
  6. Reinstall restored and rehabilitated fixtures in their original locations using new fastenings as required, each permanently and vandal resistant mounted, plumb and straight, without looseness and movement, and flush with supporting masonry.

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Last updated: Aug 13, 2017
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