Some recommended practices for gas station lighting design.
By Keith Krebill
Picture the scene: it’s late at night, a driver is seeking fuel and there, like a beacon in the night, stands a well-lit gas station. But this isn’t just about ambiance: it’s about safety, efficiency and the image the business projects.
Crafting the right lighting for a gas station is no small task, involving careful design, thoughtful consideration of regulations and the selection of top-notch fixtures.
Understanding Gas Station Lighting Requirements
Safety and visibility considerations: Safety isn’t just the name of the game; it’s the heart of it. A gas station, filled with potentially hazardous materials, demands proper lighting for the well-being of customers and employees alike. Properly illuminated spaces reduce the risk of accidents, from slips and falls to more serious mishaps involving vehicles. Ensuring that the lighting doesn’t cast shadows, particularly in areas where customers are walking or vehicles are moving, is paramount.
Energy efficiency and sustainability: Green is the new black, and sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Gas stations, which often operate for extended hours, need energy-efficient lighting to keep operational costs down. This is where LED lighting, known for its longevity and reduced energy consumption, comes into play, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
Compliance with regulations and standards: When the rubber meets the road, gas stations must adhere to a plethora of local, state and federal regulations and standards concerning lighting. From the recommended brightness levels to the types of fixtures used, understanding and abiding by these standards isn’t just a good practice: it’s a legal requirement.
Key Steps in Designing Gas Station Lighting
Site assessment and layout planning: Chart the course and begin with a comprehensive site assessment. You should take into consideration the size of the lot, the location of the pumps, canopies, the store and any other structures. With a thorough understanding of the layout, designers can make informed decisions on fixture types, placement and illuminance.
Fixture selection and placement: Choosing the right fixture is akin to choosing the right tool for the job. But remember that where you place that tool is equally essential. You should consider how the light will disperse from each fixture, ensuring an even distribution of light—no customer wants to fuel up in a shadowy nook.
Illuminance calculations and simulation: Numbers don’t lie. Using software, designers can calculate the expected light output from each fixture, ensuring that the gas station meets the required brightness levels. Simulations can offer a preview of how the final lighting will look, allowing for adjustments before actual installation.
Light pollution mitigation and local regulation compliance: Bright lights can be a boon for drivers but a bane for neighbors. Using fixtures that direct light downward, rather than outward, can help in reducing glare and minimizing unwanted light spill. Local authorities also may have requirements about maximum brightness levels, required color temperatures or requirements for dimming or motion sensing.
Emergency and backup lighting: Expect the best, plan for the worst. Power outages can occur, and it’s important that all occupants of the store can safely navigate to the exits. Additionally, local fire codes may have specific requirements for emergency lighting, including the placement of lights and the amount of time that they remain illuminated for.
Smart lighting solutions: In the age of smart everything, lighting is no exception. From dimming capabilities to motion sensors, incorporating smart solutions allows for increased efficiency and adaptability. Motion sensors can be used in store locations which are not regularly occupied, ensuring that lights are never left on when nobody is in the room. Timeclocks and scheduling can be utilized to make sure that outdoor lighting illuminates at night but does not waste energy by running during the day or when the store is closed. For sites that offer 24/7 unattended fueling, a combination of motion sensors and scheduling will ensure that the canopy area is safely illuminated while a customer is present but not wasting energy when customers are not present. Ultimately, it’s important to balance energy efficiency with store functionality.
Aesthetics and brand identity: Beyond mere function, lighting plays a significant role in store aesthetics and brand identity. Thoughtful lighting design can emphasize the architecture, create ambiance and enhance the overall look and feel of the station.
Installation, Testing and Maintenance
Proper installation ensures optimal performance and longevity—cutting corners here can lead to frequent outages, higher maintenance costs and even safety hazards. The biggest challenge is making sure that the site plan is followed accurately. For a site to function properly, motion sensors and time clocks need to be configured according to plan, otherwise they will not yield the energy savings they can provide.
Like any piece of machinery, lighting systems require maintenance. Regular checks for outages, potential hazards and efficiency can extend the life of the fixtures and ensure continuous optimal performance.
LED Lighting: Advantages and Selection Criteria
The world isn’t just shifting towards LED lighting: it’s charging toward it at full speed. With its energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint and longer lifespan, LEDs are the torchbearers in the realm of lighting. For gas stations, the energy savings can be substantial.
Lumens per watt (efficacy): When evaluating LEDs, one must consider their efficacy. Simply put, efficacy measures how much light is produced for each watt of electricity consumed. A higher lumens-per-watt ratio indicates a more efficient light source.
Lifespan and lumen depreciation: Over time, all lights dim. But how quickly they dim, or their lumen depreciation, can vary. LEDs are renowned for their long lifespan, often outlasting their traditional counterparts by years, even decades. But ensuring minimal lumen depreciation ensures they shine brightly throughout their life.
Ingress protection (IP) rating for moisture and dust: Gas stations are exposed to the elements. Whether it’s rain, dust or snow, lighting fixtures need to withstand these conditions. A higher IP rating, which measures resistance to moisture and dust, indicates better protection. Gas station canopies offer additional challenges because the electrical entrance for the light fixtures is located above the canopy, exposed to the environment. A properly constructed canopy light should both have the proper gasketing to ensure water does not enter the fixture and also have something in the design to minimize gasket fatigue, such as a hydrophobic vent or a gasket that is robust enough to withstand operational pressure cycles.
While the initial investment in LED lighting might be higher, the ROI is high thanks to energy savings and reduced maintenance costs. Having a brighter site can also increase sales, both of fuel and merchandise. Installing a quality lighting system is an investment that offers long-term value to a gas station.
Keith Krebill is a Jarvis Lighting petroleum lighting sales specialist. Incorporated in 2002, Jarvis Lighting is a leading manufacturer of LED commercial lighting. Jarvis Lighting designs and manufactures innovative lighting products at its Schaumburg, Illinois, facility.
