Keeping an organization’s properties safe and secure should be a top priority for any facility manager. It’s best to be proactive rather than wait for an incident to force the issue, and that starts with conducting a commercial security assessment. A commercial security assessment evaluates a property’s physical and digital security.
Many commercial security assessments identify inadequate lighting as one of the most common site vulnerabilities. Poor visibility can reduce surveillance effectiveness, create safety concerns, and increase liability for property owners.
Lighting improvements often provide one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to strengthen overall site security. It is insufficient to simply add more light fixtures to solve the problem. You’ll want to translate the assessment findings into measurable improvements. Strategic lighting upgrades improve visibility while supporting surveillance systems and occupant safety.
Why Lighting Is Often Identified During Security Assessments
Common issues found during security audits include:
- Dark parking lot sections
- Poorly lit building entrances
- Inadequate pathway lighting
- Blind spots around loading docks
- Uneven lighting across large properties
- Failed (or failing) light fixtures
- Obstructed visibility (by structures, landscaping, etc.)
Poor visibility creates security and safety risks. Dark or poorly lit areas create opportunities for unauthorized activity, and limited visibility reduces pedestrian safety. Inconsistent lighting affects visitor and employee confidence. If visitors don’t feel safe entering and exiting a property, they will likely avoid going there.
How Better Lighting Improves Security
Properly illuminated outdoor areas increase visibility for people and vehicles and reduce hidden areas throughout the property. This improves pedestrian awareness and enhances vehicle visibility.
Better lighting complements surveillance camera performance.
- It improves image clarity.
- It reduces shadows and dark zones.
- It supports facial and vehicle identification.
- It improves nighttime recording quality.
Better lighting enhances property safety by:
- Helping to deter unauthorized activities.
- Improving occupant confidence.
- Supporting safer navigation after dark.
Areas That Should Be Prioritized First
Parking Lots
Target these areas for improved parking lot security lighting:
- Vehicle traffic areas
- Pedestrian crossings
- Parking aisles
Building Entrances and Exits
Target these areas for improved building entrance/exit lighting:
- Employee entrances
- Customer access points
- Emergency exits
Perimeter Areas
Target these areas for improved perimeter area lighting:
- Fence lines
- Service roads
- Property boundaries
Loading Docks and Service Areas
Target these areas for improved loading dock and service area lighting:
- Delivery zones
- Equipment storage
- Employee work areas
Should Lighting and Camera Upgrades Happen Together?
This will depend on the current state of your cameras. If camera upgrades are needed, they should happen at the same time as lighting upgrades, if possible.
Why coordinating both systems makes sense.
Cameras perform better with consistent illumination in their field of view. Installing cameras and light fixtures at the same time allows you to position them for effective illumination. Glare or backlighting issues occur when bright light fixtures are positioned incorrectly.
Coordinating both systems at the same time helps to reduce future installation costs and improves overall site planning.
Security camera poles support integrated solutions.
You can mount lighting and surveillance equipment on the same pole. This improves site organization and reduces infrastructure duplication.
Smart Poles expand future flexibility.
A smart pole can support additional functions alongside lighting and surveillance. You can integrate antennas, sensors, WiFi routers, and telecom gear, among other things.
Improving Security Without a Complete Site Redesign
In many cases, it’s not necessary to completely redesign a site’s security scheme to achieve the needed improvements. Here are some suggestions:
Upgrade existing fixtures
Replace outdated fixtures, such as HID, with LED fixtures. Light output will improve, and energy consumption will decrease.
Add lighting where needed
- Address the identified dark zones from your assessment.
- Improve lighting in high-risk areas, such as perimeters and blind spots.
- Expand existing lighting layouts to include better coverage.
Replace aging infrastructure when necessary
- Replace older poles nearing the end of their service life.
- Replace or repair damaged pole foundations.
- Replace outdated mounting hardware to adapt to newer fixtures and cameras.
Choosing the Right Lighting Solution
LED Parking Lot Light Pole Kits
LED Parking lot pole kits offer a complete replacement solution. Kits include the pole, light fixture(s), and mounting hardware. You don't need to source the components separately. Everything is compatible, and there is only one SKU. They decrease logistical issues and simplify installation.
Area Lights
Area lights provide wide-area coverage for parking lots and commercial properties.
Flood Lights
Flood lights provide targeted illumination for building exteriors and security-sensitive areas.
Wall Packs
Wall packs complement pole-mounted lighting by illuminating building perimeters and entrances/exits.
Security Camera Poles
Security camera poles provide dedicated surveillance infrastructure for a property. They can combine cameras and luminaires on one pole.
Smart Poles
Smart poles support future technology expansion by combining multiple site functions. This reduces infrastructure clutter and increases installation efficiency.
How LightMart Supports Commercial Security Lighting Improvement Projects
LightMart has lighting solutions for every stage of commercial outdoor lighting projects. This includes:
- Retrofit of existing systems
- Complete lighting upgrades
- New construction
- Campus expansions
We have products designed for commercial properties, such as:
Our knowledgeable staff provides support for facility managers and contractors.
- Product selection guidance
- Lighting recommendations
- Infrastructure solutions
- Commercial project expertise
Contact us to get started on your lighting project today!
FAQs
What lighting problems are commonly found during security assessments?
Typical lighting issues include:
- Dark parking lot sections
- Poorly lit building entrances
- Inadequate pathway lighting
- Blind spots around loading docks
- Uneven lighting across large properties
- Failed (or failing) light fixtures
- Obstructed visibility (by structures, landscaping, etc.)
How does lighting improve surveillance camera performance?
It does the following:
- Improves image clarity
- Reduces shadows and dark zones
- Improves facial and vehicle identification ability
- Improves nighttime recording quality
Which areas should be upgraded first after a security audit?
- Parking lots
- Building entrances and exits
- Perimeter areas
- Loading docks and service areas
Should security cameras and lighting be upgraded at the same time?
Yes, they should be upgraded at the same time, if possible. Cameras perform better with consistent illumination in their field of view. Installing cameras and light fixtures at the same time allows you to position them for effective illumination.
What are smart poles used for?
A smart pole can support additional functions alongside lighting and surveillance. You can integrate antennas, sensors, WiFi routers, and telecom gear.
Can I improve commercial outdoor security lighting without redesigning my entire lighting system?
In many cases, it’s not necessary to completely redesign a site’s security scheme to achieve the needed improvements. You can upgrade light fixtures, add additional lights as needed, and replace aging infrastructure.
David DeWald is the E-Commerce Marketing Specialist at LightMart. He has been working in the industrial and commercial lighting industry since 2013 and is based in the greater Chicago area. David specializes in digital product management, web content writing, and product marketing. He regularly publishes lighting industry-related articles on the LightMart blog. You can visit his LinkedIn profile here.