Fluorescent lights burning out quickly?

Question

We had a fire in our office most of the damage was smoke. However after the fire we have noticed our fluorescent light bulbs seem to be burning out quickly. These were not replaced by the cleaning crew. Is it safe to assume that the smoke damage is causing them go burn out quickly? Anyone have any links that justifies this thought?

Thanks

Answer 1

It's very likely they were damaged by heat, smoke or water - possibly all three. Especially smoke gets everywhere and it's dirty stuff.
Replace them and see what happens. If the replacements wear out equally fast, it may be the wires. That is not too likely though, as the wires should be safely inside the walls. So if the replacements also die fast, you probably have a poltergeist.

Answer 2

As long as they weren't damaged in the fire, they shouldn't have been affected. It may be possible that the ballasts are going out and need to be replaced. It is a lot easier and faster to change a bulb than to change the ballast.

It is also possible that they were all installed at the same time and now they are coming to the end of their life cycle. That way you would have bulbs burning out close together.

When we relamp a place, we do them all at once, that way, you should have a period where no maintenance is required.

Answer 3

Have your ballasts changed with electronic ballasts.You may notice a decrease in your light bill as well.