4 Key Considerations about Bollard Lights

Regardless of the function and type of lighting fixtures, the light sources play an important role in lighting quality and lighting management. LEDs are well known for their outstanding advantages, including the longer life span, higher efficiency, less energy consumption, stable function in cold temperature, directional light, etc. These features make LEDs as the ideal light source for outdoor bollard lights. Bollard lights are normally used for outdoor lighting applications, such as walkways and streets. It seems that bollard lights are similar with street lights. Unlike street lights, bollard lights are shorter without the needs of high poles. Additionally, street lights are mainly used for providing clearer visibility for humans, while bollard lights are mostly act as orientation and guidance with lower illuminance. Therefore, considerations of bollard lights are different from street lights. This post would like to talk about the 4 key considerations about bollard lights. Hope this post can help you learn about bollard lights better.

What are bollard lights

Bollard light is a kind of outdoor lighting fixture that lights on bollard. Bollard means the post used for tying up the ships on docks or wharf in nautical term previously. It also refers to the boundary posted to block off street from cars, guiding traffic and protecting pedestrians. Bollard can be cylindrical, round or even square. Both upper and lower housing of bollards are constructed of cast aluminum or stainless steel generally. Moreover, the housing of bollards are removable for fixing. Another unmovable bollard light is based on concrete. Concrete bollard light is posted on roadside in common. Lighting distribution of bollard lights is Type V in general. Lights are emitted from the top or the sides. To control or restrict lighting pollution or trespass, light shield is added to minimize undesirable light in every direction. Bollard lights are used for illuminating pathways, walkways, parking lots and other outdoor applications. Bollard lights are also perfect for bringing relaxing mood and highlighting plants due to the soft lights.

Why bollard lights are needed

illumination and aesthetic function

Bollard lights have both illumination and aesthetic function. Bollard lights illuminate floor and nearby areas, offering soft but not excessive light and guiding the way for people. They can decorate plants and buildings, creating appealing landscape and comfortable atmosphere.

less lighting pollution

Bollard lights provide ground level lighting without dazzling or offending visual experience for drivers and pedestrians. Since bollard lights illuminate at lower height, they will not bother people while bright up the ground.

ensure safety

Bollard lights ensure safety at night. They act as a barrier to separate pedestrians and driveway, protecting both pedestrians and drivers. The special surface and top designs of bollard light is able to resist vehicular traffic from stopping the travelling vehicle without damaging the interior units.

reduce crime

Bollard lights is capable of reducing crime during night time. The lights emitted by bollard light are deterrent to thieves and looters. Moreover, bollard lights also prevent thieves and looters from creating havoc effectively to some extent.

What are the requirements of bollard lights

Power supply

The foundation of bollard lights is the power. Without power, bollard light is unable to be lighten up. Bollard lights are powered by the electric wires which are buried under ground in advance. But solar bollard lights are the exception because they do not require wiring. Therefore, you need to confirm whether the intended place for installation having the possibility for offering power supply for bollard lights. If not, you might install the solar one. Low voltage bollard light is another option for easier installation. Wiring of low voltage bollard lights (about 12 V) is easier than normal one. Thus, installations of low voltage bollard light do not need electricians but licensed contractors.

Premium material

Being traffic guards and outdoor fixtures, bollard lights should be of high quality and durable. Bollard lights are critical for guarding traffic, preventing vehicle infringement and allowing safe access for pedestrians. Some of the bollard lights are able to restraint a 2.75 tons vehicle travelling at 30mph. These security bollards are made of concrete. Harsh environment such as extreme temperature, heavy rain and sunlight, make bollard lights require waterproof, corrosion resistance and impact resistance. Consequently, bollard lights are supposed to be made of premium materials. Bollard shells are made of extruded aluminum and treated with coating in general. The resilient material and special coating resist corrosion and not easy to deform under sun and rain. Head of bollard light also should be fixed with vandal resistant screws. Moreover, the holes of screws should be opposed to the top to prevent water penetration and pooling.

Height & spacing

Height and spacing of bollard lights vary from specific application. Generally speaking, higher mounting height illuminates lower level of light and covers a wider range from the fixtures. A wider spacing will be more appropriate for the fixtures with higher mounting height. Lower mounting height, however, requires closer space between fixtures. Bollard lights are normally designed in three height, 20cm, 50cm and 90cm. Applications like hospitals, offices and walkways apply to closer spacing about 3m. Proper spacing for urban parks should be about 4.5m. Wider spacing about 9m is suitable for the places for relaxing and leisure. AGC provide the bollard light with optional heights in 50cm and 90cm, which may meet your needs for various applications. Table of the recommended height and spacing for different applications is as followed:

Lighting distribution

Lighting distribution of bollard lights is associated with visual experience of people. Lighting pollution including glare and trespass may caused by improper lighting distribution. Excessive up-light will do harm to our eyes and even cause sudden blindness. Undesirable up-light and back-light will trespass residential areas or buildings around. They are just waste of light and energy in some conditions. As a result, lighting distribution of bollard lights should be limited except the light downwards to the ground or floor. Most of bollard light use type V or type IV lighting distribution to illuminate wider space with less lighting fixtures. Shielded bollard lights are added with visor or louvers and the light illuminates the areas in front of fixtures. Unshielded bollard lights lit up the areas around the fixtures. This type of fixtures not only enhance recognition of people but also the objects around like building and plants.

How to install bollard lights

Bollard lights are mainly divided to aluminum bollards and concrete bollards. Aluminum bollards are removable while the others are not. Both of them can be installed in soil or paving. We would introduce the installation of aluminum bollard lights. Installations of bollard lights vary from brands and specific type. Installation process of this post is just for reference. Please make sure completing the installation by licensed contractors or electricians.

Before purchasing the bollard lights, preparation for wiring is important. In simple term, dip a hole that is deep enough to load cement and bollard lights, then run wiring to the hole and place a conduit in the hole for wiring. Lastly, fill the hole with concrete and set up anchor bolts. Please keep in mind that previous steps should be finished by licensed electricians, you safety override all other concerns.

The rest of installation of bollard lights is different from brands and fixture type. This post would introduce the installation of BL01 bollard light from AGC. A simplified installation is as followed:

1. Fix the baseplate on present anchor bolts with nut
2. Secure the bollard head and pole body
3. Connect the supply lines from conduit to fixture wires
4. Tighten the bollard light mounting screws and secure the fixture