Streamlight® Helps Guide Development of Flashlight Industry Standards Until now, there have been no standards-based methods to evaluate flashlights. Customers couldn't tell how a light would perform until they bought it and tried it for themselves, which sometimes resulted in a costly mistake. And there was no way to police false product claims made by manufacturers, which was frustrating for companies like Streamlight® that work hard to make quality lighting tools. That's why Streamlight was instrumental in forming a coalition of industry leaders to create standardized tests and a uniform rating system for flashlight equipment. The result of their efforts is called the ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) FL1 Standards. Developed with the guidance of NEMA and representatives from 14 different flashlight companies, the new standards help customers rate and compare the most important features of personal lighting tools. They are the culmination of more than two years of research, discussion and testing among the participating manufacturers, who set aside competitive differences to arrive at a consensus for standards. "First, we had to decide as a group which basic metrics, such as run time and light output, we were going to measure, and then determine the standards by which to evaluate performance," explained Streamlight President Brad Penney. "Many of the participants volunteered their own standards, which we then discussed as a group and ultimately refined into our final product." Following is the list of six features that are covered by the standards, along with the icon that represents each feature. Participating flashlight companies plan to display the icons on their websites and packaging and in their catalogues, along with a rating of each light’s performance: Peak Beam Intensity The maximum luminous intensity typically along the central axis of a cone of light. This measures the brightest part of the beam. The value is reported in candela. Beam Distance The distance from the device at which the light beam is 0.25 lux. Results are reported in meters. Impact Resistance The degree to which a portable light resists damage when dropped on a solid surface. Dropped samples must not exhibit any cracks or breaks, and must remain fully functional in order to pass the Impact Resistance test. Run Time The duration of time from the initial light output value (that's 30 seconds after the light is turned on with fresh batteries) until the light output drops to 10% of the initial value. Light Output A measurement of the total quantity of emitted overall light energy. The value is reported in lumens. Water Resistance There are three tests that measure water resistance: Resistance to Temporary Immersion in Water Resistance to Continuous Immersion in Water Resistance to Splashing Water While compliance with the standards is voluntary, Penney said that the coalition hopes that all flashlight companies will adopt them. Each participating manufacturer may conduct its own tests, adhering to very specific guidelines, although companies may not "pick and choose" which standards they display. If, for example, a company claims to meet the standard "Peak Beam Intensity" for a given flashlight, any other marketing claims on packaging must be made in accordance with the ANSI NEMA FL1 standard. Streamlight is now in the process of testing its lights, and will soon begin displaying icons on its website, and, later this fall, will begin incorporating them on packaging. The company also recently sent an educational video on the new standards to the distribution network. "These standards are a tremendous step forward for the industry, but the real key to industry-wide adoption of them will be consumer demand for this information at the point of sale," Penney added. For more information, contact your Streamlight representative.