When you consider outdoor illumination, LED public parking lights are the most popular option. The reason for this is the significant need for lights in parking lot areas. According to the specifications, adequate light coverage is required so that the place is suitably bright and passing motorists do not struggle to find a parking spot or exit.
LED Light Expert can offer the necessary parking lights that can meet the requirements of the parking lot coverage area. The company also provides lighting solutions for professional sports stadiums as per international standards. You might also be interested in reading the barn lighting guide on their website.
What a parking lot light really is?
Outdoor lightings are commonly used in areas like roads, gardens, parking lots, walking areas, parks, etc. These lighting systems are designed to sustain and resist the tough climatic conditions. To cover a vast area, the majority of the public parking fixtures are installed on poles. Different lighting regions have different requirements.
The lighting in parking lots is designed to be pleasant without producing eye strain. Understanding a parking lot’s coverage area for customers or staff, and light is critical for health and safety. There are chances of accidents or safety difficulties when operating in the parking space. As a result, having appropriate illumination in this area is critical.
What a type 3 lens is?
A Type Lens actually is a certain TRANSMISSIVE OPTICAL DEVICE, which uses refraction to change the focus of any light beam. A plain lens is made of just one piece of material, but on the other hand, a compound lens has numerous simple lenses connected by a common axis.
Every design of parking lot light must include an optic lens. Round, square, and hexagonal LED lenses are among the many forms and sizes available. Plastic and silicone are two common lens materials.
As a result, some are rigid while others are flexible. For parking lot lighting, Type 3 LED lenses have been designed to work with single/multiple LEDs. They are placed on top of the LEDs to generate the required lighting effect.
Type 3 lenses provide a variety of features that allow for fine control of light beams. By hiding the LED parts within, LED type 3 lenses can provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance.
It is worth noting that optics with the same viewing angle might have vastly different beam intensity and quality depending on the optical design’s emitters.
When replacing or installing parking lot lights, it is vital to plan out where you will put them all. There are several factors that need to be considered while looking at the visibility, safety, and other logistics of installation.
The following are a few things to consider while laying out any parking lot lights:
- Your style of parking lot lights
Choosing the right fixture is crucial for keeping the light numbers and distance in the parking lot to a minimum. The LER component of a fixture is one factor when selecting a luminaire.
A minimum LER rating of 65 is recommended by the US Department of Energy. To find an LED’s LER value, divide the luminaire light output in lumens by the input power.
- Vicinity of your surrounding buildings
Pay particular attention to nearby building placements and how the entire public enters and departs the parking lot during the preliminary site survey meant for parking lot lights. Install light shields to assist prevent light glare from the fixture.
Cutoff, non-cutoff, semi-cutoff, and full-cutoff are the 4 cutoff classifications depending on luminous intensity. Light trespass can also be reduced by using the right optic.
- Required levels of parking lot light
The recommended light levels in the Parking Lot Illuminance Guidelines are listed in the table below.
Minimum horizontal illuminance
- Basic requirement: 0.2 fc
- For enhanced security: 0.5 fc
Uniformity ratio needed for maximum to minimum
- Basic requirement: 20.1
- For enhanced security: 15.1
Minimum vertical illuminance
- Basic requirement: 0.1 fc
- For enhanced security: o.25 fc
When adjacent to business premises, light levels shall not be more than 0.1 fc and 0.05 fc within the residential property boundaries.
- Permitted height of your parking light poles
Many counties will have a maximum permissible elevation for light poles, which should be considered before beginning the design process. The light pole height is usually determined by the parking lot size.
Shorter light poles will prevent glare in densely populated regions, however, more light poles are required to provide enough coverage, particularly when compared to any rural settings, where bigger fewer poles may achieve similar uniformity without the risk of glare because of less public interaction.
The glare rating or veiling brightness of the light can be used by the designer to guarantee that the discomfort angle does not extend beyond the property line.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for every parking lot lighting, but following the above guidelines will create a cohesive design that balances providing sufficient light for safety while not causing a public nuisance.
What role lumens can play to illuminate parking lots?
Lumens are essential for illuminating parking lots. Your pole light, as a conspicuous LED parking lot light, requires to change in terms of wattages and lumens. It does not always mean that you should use higher brightness LED pole lights meant for your outdoor parking lot. You can instead arrange the design in a synchronized fashion.
LED parking lights must have a higher lumen output than ordinary outdoor lights in order for the brightness to be appropriate and accessible. The brightness of an LED lighting installation is measured in lumens. As a result, depending on your region, guaranteeing the lumens is necessary.
Furthermore, the location’s area and luminosity are connected. You must be careful when measuring the area because the fixture’s requirements are determined by this phenomenon.
If you have a large parking lot, for example, you should estimate the area before installing LED parking lights. After about 15-30 feet of separation, place each alternate light.
Also, make sure you are estimating this difference based on the lumen output of your fixture. This is an important step to remember because the foot distance varies based on how many lumens a fixture has.
For example, if the fixture has a lumen output of 14000 to 20000, you can space your fixtures every 15-20 feet. Similarly, if the lumen output is greater than 21000 – 42000 lumens, LED pole lights should be placed every 25-30 feet. This will help you boost parking lot visibility and minimize the possibility of generating blind spots corners.
