It may seem obvious to state; good lighting is essential for the security of people and property, but today achieving the right balance between location, function, practicality and cost is not always straightforward, writes Harvard Engineering.
Modern lighting solutions are expected to deliver high performance and reliability – as well as achieving energy savings and reduced costs.
Security industry professionals have long recognised that good lighting combined with the effective use of CCTV increases safety and reduces vandalism and street crime – but what it should not do is add to an individual organisation’s energy costs.
Recent advances in lighting technology, such as wireless control and monitoring systems, are helping companies, local authorities and public sector organisations deliver effective lighting schemes that improve safety and deliver savings.
There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when looking at how lighting can bring benefits in terms of safety. Using today’s lighting solutions to match the exact lighting requirements to particular areas means greater efficiency, and therefore greater safety. Lighting should be carefully targeted so that there is no glare, no harsh shadows, no light trespass and no steep transition from light to dark. Recent advances in lighting technology mean that a high level of efficiency can be delivered, enabling CCTV to do its job effectively.
LEDs, previously used for applications which did not need a high lux level, have been developed and improved to make them suitable for general use but the cost of installing a whole new LED system can be huge. Wireless control and monitoring systems, however, now mean that existing outdoor lights can be dimmed to provide savings without having to install LEDs. This is done by attaching a small antenna to the lamp head, plugged into the electronic ballast. Where LED lighting is already in place, the lighting solution can be fitted alongside, achieving maximum savings.
Using the philosophy ‘the correct light at the correct time’, wireless lighting systems allow total control rather than over-lighting certain areas and wasting energy while potentially causing a security risk. Old technology is being replaced by these sophisticated new systems, improving safety and security.
Another advantage is that lighting control systems can dim down or bring up lighting remotely to enhance performance, whether from a computer, laptop or tablet.
One organisation which has been happy to embrace modern lighting solutions is Westminster Council. As a result of installing its revolutionary Smart Lights scheme, the authority reports significant improvements in its public lighting service, one that meets the needs of people living, working and travelling through the borough.
In addition, another enormous benefit is in terms of savings achieved. Westminster is saving £46 and 100kg of carbon per street light per year – a total saving of £420,000 and 1.5 million kg of carbon annually.
The Climate Change Group, which recently conducted a two year trial of LEDs in nine cities around the world, including London, New York, Sydney and Hong Kong, found that savings of 50-70 per cent were possible by installing LED lights. When control systems are added, these savings are increased to more than 80 per cent.
It is the use of wireless control and monitoring systems that is making these savings possible as well as ensuring that lighting is of the highest quality to maximise security, reduce carbon emissions and keep maintenance costs down.
About the firm
Harvard Engineering offers the LeafNut system which allows control of outdoor lighting systems. Originally developed for street lighting, new updates mean the system is now the makers say suited to any outdoor lighting stock.
