Tuesday, January 9, 2018

High Intensity Tower Lighting Provides Safety

By Barbara Nelson


Proper illumination is valuable in many situations. A very important type is high intensity tower lighting. Many of these uses provide specific safety markings for aviation uses, but can also be used by ground services to provide better illumination for mobile emergency and cleanup services. In many cases there are federal regulations that provide detailed requirements for the strength and type used on taller structures.

Most people would assume that taller buildings and towers can be seen easily. However, for passing aircraft this is not the case. The view of the landscape is vast and the flight path is not controlled by barriers found along highways and streets. This makes it easy for structures to blend into the background of both city and countryside landscapes. In clear and inclement weather this makes for a very dangerous situation.

Aircraft have to be aware of the constant danger of tall buildings. In the US, the FCC provides regulations by working with the FAA on the permits and placement of tall radio towers. These requirements are an important part of providing safe passage for aircraft regardless of the weather.

The limitations of viewing based on day or night time require different colors and intensity. The requirements for day light include both constant and strobe lights. They're usually white. Red lights work well at night. The differences between rural and urban circumstances also is taken into consideration. With heavily populated areas, regulations consider citizen complaints about strobe light effects. White lights also blend into the background of city lights, making it hard for flight crews to see them.

Structure height and placements are a factor in determining the type of the light. Federal requirements determine whether bright, mid level, and lower brightness systems are used. There are also different circumstances that require lights that are on constantly instead of the strobe version. The Federal Aviation Administration puts is part of the process for building permits for the taller structures.

For tall structures there are many types of systems available. Obstruction lights are constantly illuminated. Red beacons or strobes are often used at night. High-intensity white strobes are used on structures taller than 700 feet. Medium-intensity white strobes are for structures between 200 and 500 feet tall.

The lights are often also used for nighttime road work and emergency operations. Road crews in urban areas are often required to work overnight in order to reduce their impact on daytime traffic patterns. This can be extremely hazardous and the need to create near daytime brightness is important. Emergency crews responding to accidents or working in the dark to put out a fire need to see in order to safely do their job. Many firetrucks have been equipped with rotating systems in order to focus the lights where they are needed.

Aircraft, road crews, and emergency personnel all benefit from the work of proper public lights. In all cases the safety of the crews and equipment is increased because of their use. Passing planes can rest assured that their path is obstruction free thanks to government regulations on taller structures. Emergency and road crews are able to work at night while being able to see everything needed throughout the night. Using the systems properly ensures a safe environment.




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