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Commissioning
A straightforward guide to commissioning LED lightboxes and fabric frame installs on South African retail, mall and expo sites.
How Commissioning works in a normal week
Commissioning covers the checks to complete before an LED lightbox or fabric frame install is signed off. It is written for South African retail, mall and expo sites where wiring, print fitment and final illumination all need to be checked properly.
Commissioning starts with the built frame on site, the fitted fabric graphic, and the power feed that will run the LEDs every trading day. On South African retail and expo jobs, sign-off usually includes checking transformer placement, cable routing, light output across the face, and whether access rules from the mall or venue have been met. Conditions differ between inland dust and coastal humidity, so the final inspection must match the actual site.
Clear site photos taken before switch-on make handover far easier when multiple contractors have worked on the same bay or stand. Record the installed size, circuit location, and any trims, bulkheads or hanging points near the lightbox so future graphic changes do not start with guesswork. That reference helps when a store reset or expo rebuild happens later.
Sign-off checks on illuminated frames
A proper commissioning record should show that the frame is square, the fabric is tensioned correctly, and illumination is even from edge to edge. It should also note any punch list items such as visible cable slack, print creasing, damaged connectors, or power access that still depends on centre management or the stand builder. The aim is a usable handover document for the site team, not a vague summary.
Before handover, match the installed unit against the approved drawing, then test every section that was supplied for the job. Include the site location and any unresolved electrical or print issues on the lit frame when sending details through the contact form. If the unit is suspended, note the hanging hardware and final trim height in the same record.
- Power feed tested under site conditions
- Fabric face checked for fit and creases
- Photos logged with the final site record
Retail and expo site variables
Commissioning in Johannesburg malls is not the same as commissioning at a coastal venue or inside a temporary expo build. Access windows, centre management rules, after-hours power isolation, and loading bay limits can all affect when the illuminated check is done. Older retail sites may also have hidden cable routes or shared circuits that need to be identified before sign-off.
Humidity near the coast can affect connectors and cleaning schedules, while inland dust shows up quickly on diffusers, fabric edges, and aluminium profiles. Load-shedding and generator changeover can also influence LED testing, especially where the final brightness review must happen at a specific time on site. For hanging units, sight lines and suspension stability should be reviewed from customer approach angles as well as directly underneath.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Information to send before handover
Send the project brief for commissioning with site photos, install timing, frame sizes and any power issues already found.
Include details of the print set fitted on site, the store or stand location, and whether the job is wall mounted, freestanding, or suspended from above. If any section has been reworked during installation, add that note so the final inspection covers it properly.