Construction Site Lighting

When working at a construction site, safety is one of the most important elements. Lighting plays a role in overall safety, especially at dusk or night when visibility is greatly reduced. When you need the best lighting for construction sites, there are a few things you should know. Not all lights are created for this rugged environment and some will certainly fare better than others. Here are a few tips to help you find the best lighting for construction sites.

The Types

There are several types of lighting used in construction lighting.

• Portable Light Plant Towers

This is a type of lighting that uses several lights mounted to a mast arm. It allows for lighting to be adjustable to varying heights and different positions, as needed. They can be attached to a vehicle or trailer to help with mobility on the site. For this type of lighting, placement is key. Never aim it at roadways with traffic since it will cause a glare to drivers. You should also make sure the fixture is aimed downward to get the best light distribution.

• Balloon Lighting

Similar to light plant towers, balloon lighting is a large single luminaire that offers light to a widespread area. It offers lower instances of glare and the illumination is evenly distributed. This type of light can be attached to a piece of equipment or as part of a portable light tower.

• Roadway Luminaires

These are often mounted on temporary poles and have a hard-wired electrical system. These are usually installed by a lighting professional since the process is more complicated.

Factors to Consider

When choosing the best lighting for construction sites, the type will be the first thing you consider with other factors following. Here are a few thigs to consider.

• Portable lighting come in a variety of options. Don’t feel like you have to stick with one option for all sites. Sometimes a new site will require different lighting than the last site. With portable options, you can get something as small and lightweight as a single lamp flood light to something with 360-degree illumination for up to 100 feet.

• LEDs are the best option for construction sites. They are incredibly high-performing in terms of lumen output to energy consumption. They also operate at much lower temperatures than comparative fluorescents or metal halide options which may lead to burns at the worst or increased heat in the workplace at best.

• Check your ratings. It is important that you choose lighting that is manufactured to withstand rough and rugged environments. With this in mind, you should check your construction lighting for ratings such as NEMA, IP, and UL, to ensure it can hold up to the elements. Choose options that are waterproof, vapor tight, dustproof, and shatterproof, to make sure they will last without taking on damage.

• Shop for quality. You want lighting solutions that are well-gasketed with strong materials, lenses with shatterproof polycarbonate or caged designs for added protection, and strong metal or reinforced plastics, and other signifiers of quality manufacturing.