High Intensity Tower Lighting For Safety

By Barbara Nelson


Proper public lights are valuable in many circumstances. An important public system is high intensity tower lighting. The majority of the uses are for aviation safety but have become popular for other ground services to provide brighter illumination for emergency services as well as cleanup and road construction services. Most cases are regulated by the federal government providing requirements for the strength and the type used on tall structures.

An average person would probably assume that large buildings and tall towers are easily seen. This is not the case for passing planes and other flight vehicles. Because their view of the landscape is at a distance and their path is not determined by concrete barriers it is easy for them to miss seeing an object that blends into the background of the city or countryside they're flying over. This situation can be extremely hazardous in both clear and inclement weather.

Aircraft have to be aware of the constant danger of tall buildings. In the US, the FCC provides regulations by working with the FAA on the permits and placement of tall radio towers. These requirements are an important part of providing safe passage for aircraft regardless of the weather.

Day or night illuminations intensity and colors are different. Daytime requirements allow for bright constant white and strobe lights. Red lights are often used at night. Urban and rural landscapes are taken into account for these requirements. Strobe lights often bother citizens in heavily populated areas and are not easily seen by passing craft when placed against the backdrop of city lights.

The height and placement of the structure determines the type of light. There are bright, medium-bright, and low intensity systems that provide both always on and strobe type of lights. The federal regulations specify which type of system based on the height. The FAA publishes the regulations and is part of the permitting process for structures typically taller than 200 feet.

Taller structures require systems based on specific heights. The constantly on, bright white lights are used for obstruction notification. Red beacons are typically used at night at the top of a structure. The bright white strobe lights are used with structures that are taller than 700 feet. Medium intensity strobes are for buildings that are between 200 and 500 feet.

These same systems are becoming popular for nighttime construction work and emergency services. Since road crews are working more at night, their need to see for work and safety has increased. The nighttime work is used to prevent a negative impact on rush hour traffic. Emergency staff are often working in dark or perilous situations that benefit greatly from having the stronger illumination. Firetrucks are often fitted with mobile versions that can be directed towards the area most needing light.

Safety for airplanes, road crews, and emergency personnel is paramount in good and bad weather. Having the right type of bright public lights can provide one piece of the safety puzzle. By following the appropriate government requirements, tall structure construction can be completed without interfering with the safety of planes and helicopters. Without the use of the stronger and more intense lights both road crews and emergency personnel would be left in the dark putting their lives in danger.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment