When buying the right equipment to light up your parking lot, there are many questions to consider. With decades of experience helping customers with questions and determining the best configurations for their lot, the lighting experts on our team here at LightMart.com have put together a list of the most frequently asked questions so that they can help you with your project! Should you have any additional questions not covered in this list, please call us at(800) 443-8254.
What are the lights in a parking lot called?
The lights found in a parking lot are commonly called “parking lot light poles” or “LED light poles.” They also are sometimes mistakenly referred to as street lights, but that is not correct. Street lights cast a narrow beam of light to illuminate a narrow rectangular area such as street pavement, whereas parking lot lights cast a broader beam to light larger areas.
What type of light is best suited for outdoor parking?
For parking lots, LED area lights are the go-to option. While this has not always been the case, LEDs have dominated this use-case due to their durability, energy efficiency, and they’re incredibly effective at achieving desired brightness levels. The most significant advantage of LEDs is their lumen maintenance which means that even after many years, they will keep providing more than 90% of their original brightness.
How much does a parking lot light pole cost?
Price varies greatly depending upon the square footage of the lot and how well-lit the area needs to be (number of foot-candles required). To properly light the average outdoor parking lot, the cost for this typically falls in the $3,000-$5,000 range which includes the light poles and LED lights for an average size parking lot. A larger parking lot could cost more, though we’ve found our customers generally get what they need in that cost range.
How tall is a parking lot light pole?
Parking lot LED light poles are most commonly 15-20 feet tall; this height is ideal for maximizing the light coverage of a larger area while minimizing the number of light poles. Poles 15 feet or less are not typically used as the number of light poles required to cover the area increases significantly, impacting the project’s cost.
Parking lot lighting, like other forms of outdoor lighting, is measured in foot-candles. A foot-candle is a unit of illumination equal to that given by a source of one candela at a distance of one foot. If you are unsure how many foot-candles you need for your particular project, please use the images below as a general guideline; you can also contact us via e-mail or chat with our lighting experts over the phone at (800) 443-8254.The graphic above illustrates one of the most common questions: How much area does a parking lot light pole cover? In this case, an approximate 6,000 sqft. area is covered by a 150 watt LED area light attached to a 20 ft light pole.
How many light poles are required to illuminate a parking lot?
The number of poles needed depends on the square footage you are trying to illuminate and the level of brightness required across the entire lot. If the parking lot needs to be brightly lit, that will take more lights than a parking lot where you simply need a basic lighting level for basic safety. If you start from scratch and want to light up an entire lot (which is the most common scenario we see with our customers), you will need to purchase poles and lights. Something to also take into consideration is how many light fixtures you will be using on a pole.
What is a typical number of foot-candles needed for a parking lot?
It is essential to consider the activity and type of parking lot you are lighting, for example, a car dealership. Dealerships require a higher volume of light to allow for high visibility of the vehicles; dealerships are typically 50 foot-candles. Compared to a church parking lot (typically one foot-candle), the light provides essential visibility for people to move around safely. On average, 1-5 ft candles generally are recommended.
How do you install parking lot lights?
When installing parking lot lights, you will want to use anchor base poles most of the time. Anchor base poles are commonly used in parking lots because they provide the best outdoor lighting in the safest way possible, allowing the poles to be raised above the grade. In addition, if there is damage to the light pole, it can be easily replaced by disconnecting them from the concrete foundation. The direct burial method can be used in the perimeter of parking lots near grassy areas. It is essential to be aware that different municipalities may have specific guidelines or code requirements for light levels or light spills; check with your municipality before starting your project.
Check out our product instructional videos page or subscribe to our YouTube channel to learn more about parking lot lighting and other helpful tips and tricks.
If you have any additional product-related questions concerning parking lot lighting, give us a call or send us a message. We’d be happy to help!
FAQs
A 300 watt parking lot light fixture generates about 40,000 lumens. At a spacing of 60 feet, with 2-4 light fixtures at 20 ft. high, there is more brightness than a 150 watt light fixture at the same spacing. However, the spacing is still big enough for optimal brightness and visibility needed in a commercial setup.
What are the recommended lighting levels for parking lots? ›
For enhanced security conditions, IES recommends minimum horizontal illuminance of 0.5 foot-candles, minimum vertical illuminance of 0.25 foot-candles and a uniformity ratio of 15:1 maximum to minimum.
How to calculate parking lot lighting? ›
A footcandle is a measurement of illuminance for a square foot, where 1 footcandle is equal to 1 lumen per square foot. In relation to parking lot lighting, these foot-candle ratings can go as low as 0.5 foot candles for a low-activity area of the lot, or as high as 5 foot candles in high-activity areas!
Why is lighting important in a parking lot? ›
A well-lit space helps drivers and pedestrians feel safe and makes it easier for them to navigate. On the other hand, a poorly lit space increases not only the likelihood of accidents, but also crime. Builders and lighting engineers know that proper illumination of public spaces is essential.
How important are parking lights? ›
Parking lights play an essential safety function. They ensure that your car can be seen when parked near a roadway, especially in dark conditions. Parking lights on the front of a vehicle are not the same as headlights. In most cars, parking lights are amber instead of white like a headlight.
How are parking lot lights controlled? ›
Mechanical Time Clocks – Mechanical time clocks are analog or “old school” and straightforward to use. A dial has times listed and using a dog ear located at the on time and the off time turn s the parking lot lights on and off. Digital Time Clocks – Digital time clocks are the electronic version of a time clock.
What are the lights in a parking lot called? ›
Types of Parking Lot Lights
LED pole lights and LED flood lights are commonly used for parking lot illumination. LED technology offers energy efficiency, durability, and superior lighting quality compared to traditional lighting options like high-pressure sodium (HPS) or metal halide (MH) lights.
What is the standard height of parking lot lights? ›
Mounting heights for parking lot lighting can range from 12 ft. to 20 ft. but in some cases can reach as high as 35 ft. The size of your parking lot will be used to determine the recommended height of your poles; larger areas are better suited to higher poles and vice-versa.
What lights to use when parking? ›
Parking lights are designed to make your car visible to other drivers when you are parked; they aren't intended to provide light for driving in the dark (and are not bright enough to do so). When driving, you should use dipped beam headlights, as these are designed to light the road ahead for you.
What is the formula for calculating lighting? ›
To determine the required lumens, you will need to multiply your room's square footage by your room foot-candle requirement. For example, a 100 sq. ft. living room, which needs 10-20 foot-candles, will need 1,000 - 2,000 lumens.
Find your parking ratio by dividing the number of spaces by the building's square footage (in thousands). For instance, take a 40,000-square-foot building with a 200-space parking lot. Divide 200 (spaces) by 40 (thousand square feet) to find a parking ratio of 5 spaces per 1,000 square feet.
What is the recommended lighting for a parking lot? ›
The required brightness depends on the size of the parking lot and the desired level of visibility. Generally, a well-lit parking lot can range from 15,000 to 30,000 lumens per light. It's important to balance brightness with energy efficiency and to consider any local light pollution ordinances.
What is the useful life of parking lot lights? ›
Cost-Effectiveness: LED Parking Lot Lights are more economical in the long run. They can last up to 100,000 hours, significantly longer than the typical 20,000-hour lifespan of HID lights.
What is the significance of parking light? ›
These lights make the car visible from the side so that other vehicles can easily spot the vehicle. These lights can also be used during bad weather – such as rain or fog. Since visibility is a major issue during such conditions, these lights can improve visibility.
How many parking lights does a car have? ›
Parking lights are sometimes referred to as sidelights. They are not headlights but do appear outside of them and are located at the front of the vehicle. Some cars have a similar pair of lights located at the rear of their vehicle, though those should not be confused with brake lights.
What is the minimum lighting required by OSHA? ›
General construction areas require a minimum of 5 foot-candles of illumination, and plants and shops require at least 10 foot-candles. For other types of workplaces, the minimum illumination standards are as follows: First-aid stations and infirmaries: 30 f-c. Warehouses, walkways, and exits: 10 ft-c.
How many spot lights do I need? ›
Follow the 1m rule
For an even spread of light in a room and to avoid using too many spots that can alook ugly, a general rule of thumb for single, recessed spotlights is to place them 1m apart in every direction. Remember to place them 1m away from walls to avoid shadows.
