At NYControlled 2025, I sat down with Joe McGrath, Sales Director East Coast for Avi-On, to discuss Lockdown Mode and the evolving capabilities of modern lighting controls.

Floor Plan View: Intuitive Control
Lockdown Mode is part of Avi-On’s Floor Plan View system, a web-based graphical interface that allows facility operators to control lighting in real time. The system syncs with the IBM cloud, enabling instant updates from any laptop, making management simple and intuitive.

Emergency Lockdown Mode
With a single input—either from a push button or an alarm system—Lockdown Mode can place an entire building into a pre-programmed state during a critical incident, such as a security breach or active shooter situation. Lights can be dimmed, turned off, or set to custom levels, while occupancy sensors continue reporting motion.

Supporting First Responders
First responders and law enforcement can securely access the system to visualize real-time motion and create safe paths of egress. This feature helps protect occupants and enables faster, more informed emergency response.

Market Availability and Impact
Lockdown Mode is currently available, highlighting a shift in lighting technology from energy efficiency to life safety. With actionable data and visualized floor plans, the system has the potential to save lives in schools, offices, and other facilities.

Conclusion
McGrath emphasizes that modern lighting controls are no longer just about compliance or energy savings—they are becoming essential tools for safety and emergency management.