Vandal Resistant Lighting – Tamper Proof LED Light Fixtures
When it comes to public spaces, security and safety are a top priority. Unfortunately, these areas are often prone to high abuse, theft, and other forms of criminal activity. This is where vandal resistant lighting comes into play. These lighting fixtures are designed to withstand harsh environments, extreme weather conditions, and even deliberate acts of high abuse. Whether you’re responsible for maintaining a public park, parking lot, or any other area that requires reliable lighting, Read on to learn more.
Key Takeaways
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- Durability: Vandal resistant lighting is made from robust materials to withstand impacts, harsh weather, and vandalism, ensuring longevity and minimal maintenance.
- Safety and Efficiency: These lights enhance public safety with bright, consistent illumination and use energy-efficient LED technology, reducing energy costs and extending lifespan.
- Versatility: Suitable for various public spaces like parks, parking lots, and pathways, these lighting fixtures come in different types to meet specific needs while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
What is Tamper Proof Lighting?
Tamper proof lighting uses taper-proof LED lights to light public areas. These lighting fixtures are designed to withstand harsh environments and prevent vandalism or high abuse. They are built with high-quality materials and are reinforced with impact-resistant features to ensure durability and longevity. These lights are often used in public spaces such as parking lots, parks, streets, and other areas where safety and security are paramount.
Benefits of Vandal Resistant Lighting?
Vandal resistant LED lighting fixtures offer numerous benefits for public spaces, including:
Durability: Vandal resistant lights are built to last, even in the harshest conditions. They are resistant to impact, abuse, and extreme weather, making them a reliable option for outdoor lighting.
Energy Efficiency: LED lights are known for their energy efficiency, and vandal-resistant LED lights are no exception. They use less energy than traditional lighting options, resulting in lower energy bills and reduced carbon emissions.
Improved Safety: Proper lighting is crucial for maintaining safety in public spaces. Vandal proof lighting provides bright and consistent illumination, which can deter criminal activity and improve visibility for pedestrians and drivers.
Low Maintenance: Vandal resistant LED lighting requires minimal maintenance, thanks to the durability and long lifespan of the LEDs. A frequently missed advantage is well-built LED lights are constructed to withstand vibration too. This means less time and money spent on repairs and replacements.
What Makes a Light Fixture a Vandal Resistant Light?
Vandal resistant LED lights work by combining advanced LED technology with durable materials and impact-resistant features. These are the elements of vandal resistant lighting. Not all vandal resistant lighting has all these features, but most vandal resistant lights do.
Die-cast Aluminum Housing: All vandal resistant lighting needs heavy-duty, impact resistant housing and mounting. If the structure of the light fixture isn’t durable, it won’t be vandal resistant.
Powdercoat Finish: A durable finish requires the housing of the fixture to be durable. The finish at a minimum should be a UV stabilized powder coat finish over a chromate conversion coating. In some cases, the finish should have a salt-spray rating or a maritime-grade finish.
Shatter Proof Lenses: Vandal resistant lighting does not have glass lenses. All lenses should be shatterproof polycarbonate lenses. The lenses may also have diffuser optics for aesthetics, but shatterproof is a non-negotiable standard.
Tamper Resistant Screws: Depending on the mounting height and accessibility of the light fixture, tamper-resistant screws may or may not be required. Tamper-resistant screws are more difficult to extract without special tools.
LED Light Source: Today, an LED light source is fairly ubiquitous. LEDs eliminated glass light bulbs that can shatter. LEDs, if properly designed and installed, are anti-vibration. LEDs last longer than legacy light sources with some LED light sources manufactured to maintain 70% of the original light output even after 200,000 hours of use. Access Fixtures EXTREME-LIFE rated light fixtures are at a minimum rated L70 @ 100,000 hours.
Bullet Proof: Bullet proof? Yes. Some of Access Fixtures’ resistant lighting is even bullet resistant. The light fixtures are built with light modules and the LEDs are mounted on die-cast aluminum. Assuming there are more than one light modules, if one light module is hit by a bullet, the light module that was hit may stay on. The remaining light modules will stay on.
Click here to learn how to protect your LED lights from Vandals
Vandal Resistant Lighting Applications
There are many different types of vandal resistant lights. The following are the major types.
Bollard Lights: Bollard lights are designed to provide low-level lighting in public spaces such as parks, pathways, and driveways. They are typically mounted on short posts or pillars and are available in a range of sizes and styles.
Canopy Lights: Canopy lights are lights that surface mount to ceilings, eaves, and other overhangs. A frequent application for vandal-resistant canopy lights is lighting a gazebo in a public area.
Flood Lights: Flood lights are designed to provide high-intensity lighting in large outdoor areas such as parking lots, stadiums, and construction sites. They are available in various wattages and beam angles to suit different applications.
Wall Pack Lights: Wall pack lights are mounted on exterior walls and are commonly used to illuminate entrances, walkways, and parking areas. They are available in different sizes and styles to match the aesthetics of the building.
Conclusion
Vandal resistant lighting is an essential component of modern public space management. Offering durability, energy efficiency, and enhanced safety, these fixtures provide a reliable solution to the challenges of maintaining illumination in vulnerable or exposed environments. As technology advances, the integration of features like LED efficiency and bullet resistance continues to evolve, making these lights an indispensable safety feature for cities and communities worldwide. By investing in vandal resistant lighting, municipalities and businesses can ensure a safer, more secure environment for everyone.
Vandal Resistant Lighting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You have Vandal Resistant LED Lighting questions. We have answers. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, contact an Access Fixtures lighting specialist at (800) 468-9925 or click here to visit our customer service page.
How do vandal-resistant lights differ from regular outdoor lights?
Vandal resistant lights are specially designed with durable materials, and tamper-proof features, and often have enhanced impact and weather resistance compared to standard outdoor lights.
Are vandal-resistant lights more expensive than traditional lighting?
Initially, they may cost more due to the specialized materials and technology used; however, their durability and low maintenance requirements often translate to lower overall costs in the long run.
Can vandal-resistant lights be stylish or are they purely functional to withstand abuse?
Modern vandal resistant lights come in various designs and styles, ensuring that functionality doesn’t compromise aesthetic appeal.
How do I choose the right vandal resistant lighting for my needs?
Consider the specific challenges and requirements of your location. Look for Access Fixtures light brands that match the environmental conditions (e.g., coastal areas may need salt-spray-resistant finishes), the level of high abuse risk, and the aesthetic of the space. Choosing lighting fixtures with the appropriate brightness and coverage for the area they will illuminate is also important.
What maintenance is required for vandal-resistant lighting?
While vandal-resistant lighting is designed for low maintenance, regular checks are recommended to ensure optimal performance. This may include cleaning the lenses to maintain light clarity, checking for any signs of wear or damage, and ensuring that all fixtures are securely attached.
Are there different levels of vandal resistance in lighting?
Yes, vandal resistance can vary between different products. Some lights are designed to be tamper-resistant, while others may offer higher levels of protection like bullet resistance or extremely impact-resistant materials. The level of resistance will often correlate with the product’s specific design and the materials used.
Can vandal resistant lights be energy efficient?
Absolutely. Many vandal resistant lights are equipped with LED technology, which is well-known for its energy efficiency. Lighting with LED products uses significantly less energy than traditional bulbs and has a much longer lifespan, making them both environmentally and economically beneficial.
Are there wireless or smart vandal resistant lights?
Yes, some series incorporate smart technology controls. These light products can be controlled remotely, programmed with timers, and even adjusted for brightness or color temperature. Smart features enhance usability and can also contribute to energy savings by allowing lights to operate only when needed.
How does vandal resistant lighting impact the perception of safety in public areas?
Well-lit areas are often perceived as safer by the public. Vandal resistant lighting that provides consistent and reliable illumination can help reduce the fear of crime, deter criminal activities, and enhance the overall sense of community security.
What are common certifications or ratings to look for in vandal resistant lighting?
Look for ratings such as IK10, which indicates the highest protection against mechanical impacts, or IP ratings that reflect the level of sealing effectiveness against intrusions like dust and water (e.g., IP65 or IP67). These certifications help you understand the robustness and suitability of lighting fixtures for different environmental conditions. Brands like Access Fixtures design and manufacture lighting products that meet these certifications.