Outdoor lighting adds beauty and dimension to your property, but it’s also instrumental in your security. For instance, outdoor security lighting discourages potential intruders from targeting your property by increasing the risk of being caught. It can also be used to help keep them from seeing in to your property. However, you don’t have to light up your property like the Griswolds in order to feel safe or reap the security benefits. In fact,
over-illumination can draw unwanted attention to valuable items inside your property and can cause light pollution in your neighborhood. The best security lighting design allows physical detection and facial recognition, minimizes hiding spots, and increases your sense of safety. 

There are four general types of outside security lighting: continuous, emergency, moveable, and standby.

Continuous Lighting (Most Common)
Continuous lighting is probably the most familiar type of outdoor security lighting. It can be designed to provide greater projection or controlled lighting. The glare method of continuous lighting is described by some security experts as a "barrier light" and can be particularly effective for lighting boundaries around a facility and approaches to a site.  This technique is normally used when the glare of lights directed across an area does not annoy or interfere with neighboring or adjacent properties. Generally, floodlights are used in this way because the beam, although easy to direct, produces a lot of glare.

The controlled lighting method is generally used in situations where it is necessary to more precisely focus the light due to surrounding property, nearby highways, or other limitations. One of the most popular methods of controlled lighting for industrial and commercial use is the "surface method." This method provides for the complete illumination of a particular area or structure within a defined site. Not only are the perimeters of the property lighted, but also the various parking areas, storage lots, and other locations that require improved security. Another advantage of the surface method is that the lighting units are directed at the building rather than away from it so that its appearance is enhanced at night.

Stand-By Lighting
Stand-by lighting systems generally consist of continuous systems, but are designed for reserve or stand-by use or to supplement continuous systems. These systems are engaged either automatically or manually when the continuous system is inoperative or when there is a need for additional light. A stand-by system is most useful to selectively light a particular portion of a site if an intruder is suspected or to light an area for occasional use.  

Moveable or Portable Lighting
Moveable or portable lighting systems are manually operated and usually consist of moveable search lights or flood lights that are located in selected places. The moveable system is also used to supplement continuous or stand-by lighting. This system is particularly useful at construction sites or job sites.

Emergency Lighting
Emergency lights may duplicate any or all of the other types of lighting. Generally, the emergency lighting system is used in times of power failure or other emergencies when regular systems become inoperative. The unique feature of the emergency system is that it is based on alternate power sources such as gas powered generators or batteries. Emergency lighting is considered a back-up source of lighting, especially for systems that use high intensity discharge lamps (HID). HID lamps darken with momentary power loss, this brief period can be critical, so it’s important to use an alternate emergency lighting source, like incandescent. 

We would be delighted to help you achieve the right balance of security and beauty in your security lighting system. Give us a call so we can set up a consultation.