When it comes to lighting a job site, finding the right portable solution is vital to getting the job done right and safely.
Contractors need to evaluate the situation and where the light is needed when choosing their lighting options, says Deree Bivins, project marketing manager of lighting systems for Doosan Portable Power of Statesville, North Carolina.
And solutions focusing on safety are essential, she adds.
MANY CONDITIONS TO CONSIDER
“Overhead clearance is very important and a well-lit area helps keep employees safe on the job,” Bivins says. “In addition, customers need to answer several questions related to the job site — is there a need for just light on the job site, power only, or is there a need for both light and power? Also, what is the size of the area where lighting is needed?”
Beyond those basic questions, other questions that need to be answered include determining the amount of time the light is needed and if there are any lighting restrictions for the area, Bivins says. Some of today’s light towers have large fuel tanks that can illuminate a work site for 70 or more hours — an attractive option in a remote area, she adds. Depending on the work site, there may be rules about using glare-free lights at night and restrictions regarding fluid containments and noise level.
“If a job site has containment regulations, it’s a good idea to select a portable light tower that offers containment as part of the machine frame so it’s easier to comply with those regulations, while avoiding the additional cost associated with a separate containment tray or spill pad,” she says.
Bivins says weather conditions are another consideration when choosing a light tower since cold weather may affect performance.
“If a light tower is needed to provide lighting in colder climates, a cold weather kit is a necessity to ensure there are no startup issues,” says Bivins, adding that the cold weather kit ensures the lights will work in subzero temperatures since it includes a block heater, battery blanket and fuel line heater.
LOOKING AT SOME OPTIONS
Doosan’s L8 light tower is a popular option for the industry, Bivins says. The L8 features internal light storage and has a wide body. “Another thing to remember is that a low-fuel shutdown or electric fuel pump will reduce startup time if the light tower runs out of fuel,” she says.
Other light tower options, such as the Doosan LSC light tower, are more compact and have a smaller footprint, making it easier to transport multiple towers to a single location.
Doosan Portable Power offers balloon lights in addition to standard light towers. Balloon lights plug into any three-prong, 12-volt, 20-amp outlet and provide 2,000 watts of quiet, glare-free light that create fewer reflections and shadows.
“When a glare-free light is required, the balloon light may be a good choice, such as operating near traffic to provide illumination for drivers or equipment operators,” she says.
Bivins says it all comes down to contractors looking at their situation and deciding which light option would work best.
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