SVI Trucks built a heavy rescue with a pair of brow lights, several side lights and a Command Light elevating light tower. Area lights are a valuable addition to any apparatus.

Specifying area lights on apparatus is a good idea for a lot of reasons. Lights can help firefighters operate more quickly, efficiently and safely when they fight fires, perform rescues and deliver other emergency services.

If your department is thinking about buying a new apparatus or retrofitting an older one, here is a practical guide to area lights that can help you specify the right lights for the job.

First, departments need to understand the difference between perimeter lights and area lights. Perimeter lights are designed to illuminate the immediate area around an apparatus. NFPA 1901 and 1906 for apparatus require illumination of the areas to the rear of the apparatus, next to the cab doors and any other place where personnel would normally climb on and off the apparatus. These lights are usually low intensity and may be angled downward or even mounted under the apparatus. They perform the valuable function of providing visibility to personnel working around the apparatus as they remove equipment from compartments, attach hoselines and operate the pump. They are not designed to illuminate the surrounding area, however.

Area lights usually are higher intensity and are mounted higher on the apparatus. The questions of how bright these lights should be and how high they should be mounted depends on how much area needs to be illuminated. Specifying lights that are too bright or that are mounted too low can blind personnel working in the area and hinder operations rather than help them. For operations within roughly 100 feet of the apparatus, such as many house fires or motor vehicle extrications, moderately bright lights mounted high on an apparatus or attached to manually extended poles may be ideal. For operations 100 to 200 feet from the apparatus or those that cover larger areas, high-intensity lights on power-extendable light poles may be required. If departments need to operate in areas further than 200 feet from an apparatus or where there are obstacles between the apparatus and the working scene, portable lights attached to cord reels or with self-contained generators are usually required. For close-in operations, lights that run off the vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system provide good illumination and do not require a more costly generator. High-intensity discharge 12-volt lights provide exceptionally good illumination. For more distant operations, 120/240-volt lights are usually needed. Remember: too much light is as bad as not enough light.

Whatever lights you choose, they will be more effective if you elevate them. Departments can choose from simple manually raised push-up or pull-up telescoping light poles to a variety of power-raised light poles and towers. Some multiple-section poles extend 20 to 30 feet above the apparatus and can support lights, cameras and various instruments. Elevating area lights not only allows them to cover a larger area, but it also allows the lights to be angled down to minimize direct glare and cast shorter shadows. Some light poles allow firefighters to adjust the vertical angle from the ground with a twist of a handle.

For situations where greater flexibility in placing the lights is required, portable lights attached to electrical cord reels is a good solution. The lights may have a simple ground base or may be mounted on a pole with tripod legs. The lights can be positioned inside a structure for fire overhaul and investigation operations or they can be carried over rough terrain down a steep hillside for vehicle extrications. Some manufacturers make small portable generators or battery packs with integral area lights to allow even greater flexibility.

Departments should also note that they can gain points on their Insurance Services Office rating if they bring a 2,500-watt or larger generator and at least three 500-watt or larger floodlights to every structure fire. Portable generators with integral lights also qualify as lights. Departments should contact their local ISO office for details.

Whether your department operates pumpers, aerials, rescues, water tenders, wildland engines, ambulances or hazmat units, you will find that area lights are a good addition for any apparatus in almost any situation.