Do you own a warehouse? You might think that warehouse dock lights are a big investment, but they’re not worth skimping on if you’ve already spent big money on your warehouse.
You also want to make sure that you’re getting what you need. That means understanding what your warehouse is for and how it operates.
Are there heavy items being moved around? Will the dock be lit up at night?
If so, will employees be working outside, or will they all be inside? Are you doing your part to conserve energy for the climate emergency?
These are all important questions that affect both the type of warehouse dock lights used and their placement in due course.
Choose the Right Light for the Purpose
One of the most important things to consider when choosing dock lights is how bright they should be. A variety of factors can determine this, including what type of property you have and what you will be using them for.
If you’re going to be loading and unloading trucks at night or early in the morning, your dock lights must be bright enough for drivers to see from their vehicles. This means having light fixtures with high lumen outputs (lumens are a measurement of brightness).
A good rule of thumb is 10 lumens per square foot at a distance of 100 feet from the light source. If your warehouse has large open spaces with few obstructions, you may want to consider purchasing even brighter lights. This is so that drivers do not get blinded by glare or reflections of other items as they drive up to your building’s entrance at night.
With a shortage of truck drivers and new workers able to dictate their terms, safety is a key consideration for new truck drivers.
Choose the Right Light for the Space
Choosing the right type of light for your warehouse loading dock is an important step in creating a safe work environment, and it can be a difficult one if you’re not sure what to look for.
When looking at the various lighting options available to you, keep in mind that each type of light has its benefits and drawbacks.
For example, metal halide lights are ideal for high-traffic areas and loading dock lighting. This is because they offer a bright white light that helps improve visibility.
However, these types of bulbs have been known to produce glare when directly exposed to other sources of illumination, such as overhead fluorescent fixtures.
LED Lights vs. Fluorescent Bulbs
Fluorescent bulbs are great for large spaces because they require little maintenance over time. Remember these are the new standard since incandescent lights are being gradually phased out due to the climate emergency. But this comes at the cost of brightness compared with other options like metal halide lights or LEDs.
If your warehouse loading dock has a lot of natural light from large windows or skylights, it may not be as necessary to install lights. Instead, consider using something like an LED tube that can provide enough brightness without being too harsh on the eyes.
In addition, these are more energy-efficient than other types of bulbs. This is because they don’t require any additional power source to operate. As a result, this makes them an ideal option if you want to reduce your company’s electricity bill.
Choose the Right Lights for the Weather
To choose the right ware dock lights for your business, you’ll first have to consider the type of weather it will be exposed to.
If you operate a warehouse that’s exposed to harsh conditions such as rain and snow, then you must invest in a weatherproof light. These are designed specifically for outdoor use. They’re more expensive than non-weatherproof lights, but they’re also more durable and energy efficient.
Investing in a weatherproof light will not only keep you safe, but it’ll also help you save money over time because it won’t break down as often and requires less power to operate. If you work in a warehouse that’s exposed to harsh conditions such as rain and snow, then investing in a weatherproof light is an important step toward ensuring the safety of all your employees.
Safety Features
Ask yourself, do I need additional safety features incorporated into my lighting system?
If so, what kind (e.g., motion detection)? How many sensors would be ideal? Where should they be placed?
How far from each other should they be located on the warehouse loading dock? What type of sensors should be used (e.g., infrared vs. ultrasonic)?
Should there be any differentiation between day/night modes so that when someone enters or exits their space during regular business hours, they won’t trigger an alarm prematurely? Or vice versa?
What if someone tries entering after hours without authorization via keycard access codes entered earlier during working hours? With no restrictions set up yet in place, all sorts of unwanted commotions could occur because someone forgot their keycard at home.
Warehouse Dock Lights: Find Out What Works for You
To decide what kind of warehouse dock lights work, you need to ask yourself what works for you. This can depend on where you live or what you are using your warehouse dock lights for.
If you’re interested in finding out more about warehouse dock lights, contact our team today. We can help you find the right lighting for your property and ensure that your warehouse is well lit.
Get Your Free Estimate
"*" indicates required fields