Tips for Creating Well-Lit Building Entrances and Walkways

Last updated 1 year ago

Keeping entrances and walkways adequately lit is essential for every building, whatever its purpose. Not only does proper lighting discourage criminals, but it also reduces the likelihood of slip and fall accidents—and subsequent lawsuits—and makes it easier to evacuate the building in an emergency.

Here are some ways to ensure that your building remains safe:

Walk around the outside of your building at dusk, and then at night. Look for areas that are not receiving sufficient light from other sources. You should also do a walk-through in mid-morning and mid-afternoon; don't assume that natural light is providing all the light your visitors need.

When people walk through the entrance of your building, their eyes will need to adapt to the sudden change in brightness. For this reason, it's a good idea to keep your entrance brightly lit in order to compensate for the difference.

Examine the steps outside or immediately inside your building. If the area is adequately lit, the steps will be easily noticeable because the light will create distinctive shadows under each of them.

Keep the needs of the visually impaired in mind. Along with adequate lighting, you should install a detectable warning system such as a tactile warning system, which enables visually impaired people to detect when they are approaching a curb ramp or a traffic crossing.

Invest in lights that you will not need to replace frequently. LED lights can last longer than a decade—20 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Always check your lights every evening before leaving. If they are malfunctioning, dimming, or blinking out, you should be the first to notice.

When you want to make your area safer by installing a detectable warning system, call ADA Solutions, Inc. We offer a wide range of first-rate safety systems, including tactile warning systems, truncated domes, ADA warning strips. Visit us at our website or call (800) 372-0519 to learn more!