Pre-planned worksite LED lighting layouts present cost-saving opportunities and mitigate redundant workload while safeguarding construction workers and passersby. Producing a great deal of project benefits, pre-planned construction zone lighting layouts provide a proposed custom-tailored lighting plan for indoor and outdoor job sites with accurate fixture counts and product recommendations. Knowledgeable Engineers and Product Specialists understand project requirements while considering Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety regulations, worksite hazards, and construction zone factors.
Benefits of a Preplanned Lighting Layout
Lighting plans that are engineered ahead of the project’s commencement date consolidate duplicate installation efforts and allow construction managers to repurpose light fixtures for the completed project. This reduces upfront construction, labor, equipment rental, and material costs while maximizing return on investment.
While this is not a one-size-fits-all approach solution, there are multi-step instances where a future-proofed lighting layout may not suit the project. Understanding the circumstances of the building and project requirements, such as duct work, conduit positioning, and HVAC system installation, is vital before moving forward with an adaptable lighting plan. In a traditional drop-ceiling office building worksite where workers and contractors require access to designated entry points, temporary string lights qualify as a feasible temporary solution.
Three scenarios typically present themselves as the ideal opportunity for positioning lights in their final locations:
- Projects in which temporary lighting is added and removed after the specified lighting is installed. This solution is expensive in labor, materials, and time.
- Projects in which the specified lighting is first utilized as temporary lighting before being positioned as permanent lighting. It is expensive in terms of labor but the least expensive in terms of material cost due to reused light fixtures and other materials.
- Projects in which lighting is positioned as specified for project completion and then used as temporary lighting for the build-out. This is the least expensive model in terms of material costs, labor, and time because the lights and other materials are repurposed in the correct position from the initial installation.
Sports Field Construction Project Benefits:
Facility managers and project managers benefit from significant cost savings when an adaptive outdoor lighting plan is utilized. The pre-planned efforts of light pole and fixture positioning mitigate redundant light pole setting efforts and construction machinery costs. This approach contributes to overall project cost savings.
For example, a construction company preparing to build a baseball field will install temporary lighting for the project during the building phase. In many cases, lights and poles are installed for nighttime construction without a forward-looking plan of where the lighting and poles of the completed project need to be installed.
A pre-planned lighting layout limits production setbacks and ensures work zones are equipped with ample illumination to safeguard worker safety and maximize project savings. Engineers and Lighting Specialists who understand project requirements can properly plan to repurpose the light fixtures and poles for the final sports field conception.
Building Zone Construction Project Benefits:
Optimal safety and visibility are the result of a properly planned parking lot lighting design. Due to their portability and positioning ease, project managers traditionally dedicate a portion of their budget toward temporary light tower solutions for construction. However, the equipment and fuel costs of the portable towers can strain tight construction budgets quickly.
Consideration of parking lot poles and fixture placement before construction eliminates temporary equipment, transportation, and additional material costs. A repurposed lighting plan ensures the parking lot poles and lights are installed in their final position ahead of the bulk of construction. In this scenario, the lights service the construction zone to extend work hours with high-quality light coverage and balance, regardless of available natural light. This not only leads to reduced labor and material costs but also faster project completion.
Warehouse Facility Construction Project Benefits:
Traditionally, contractors illuminate large, open-concept indoor job sites with string lights before building walls and installing the final lighting layout. String lights are a suitable temporary solution in spaces that do not have enough natural light for construction or nighttime work. Using the permanent lighting solution after installing the ceiling for the remainder of the construction mitigates additional removal and installation work of ceiling lights.
Best Types of Lights for Construction Zones
LED lights are a reusable asset making them the way to go if energy cost savings, minimal maintenance, and reliability are top-of-mind. Ensuring construction sites are well-lit is critical in achieving the utmost safety levels on the job. Let’s discuss a few common LED light solutions for worksites.
- Portable Light Towers: These portable fixtures are recommended for temporary lighting solutions and allow for easy positioning. Solar light towers are the ideal solution for outdoor construction sites as most are powered by diesel, preventing indoor usage once the roof is constructed.
- Construction String Lights: Ideal for indoor, open-space projects, this temporary work light option provides adequate visibility in dark zones to prevent worker incidents. Their portability and transition ease are sustainable advantages for contractors.
- Flood Lights: Ideal for outdoor installation, these fixtures provide high-quality, reliable lighting. Their durability and waterproof engineering ensure they withstand harsh weather conditions and adapt to changing worksite conditions.
- Parking Lot Lights: Parking lot lights dual as a worksite lighting solution with the end in mind. These high-quality lights provide optimal visibility in construction zones and patron security following project completion.
- High Bay Lights: Providing bright light and optimal coverage in indoor spaces, high bays are a phenomenal reusable asset. They can be equipped with motion sensors, offering additional energy efficiency and cost-saving benefits.
With the above in mind, there is no one-size-fits-all solution as each project’s requirements vary. The Product Specialists at LED Lighting Supply understand construction site requirements. The team will engineer a properly planned construction lighting plan to support repurposing the fixtures of your next commercial, industrial, or sports-related project. By taking this extra step, you can ensure that the selected lighting solution will result in cost synergies.
References:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). 1926.56 – Illumination. U.S. Department of Labor. Retrieved January 16, 2025, from https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.56
Author Biography
Chelsea Jones, Digital Marketing Manager at LED Lighting Supply, brings over seven years of experience developing customer-focused strategies. Specializing in content creation and digital campaign development, Chelsea helps streamline buying decisions by providing customers with the necessary resources to make informed decisions. Her insights have been featured in leading industry publications, including The Realty Times and T&D World, where she shares valuable information on the commercial, industrial, and sports lighting sectors. Outside of the office, Chelsea enjoys playing piano, attending yoga sessions, and spending time with her dog, Zeus.
