Just about everyone out there remembers the 1985 movie “Back to the Future,” starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Well, light emitting diode (LED) lighting is just like the movie in that it’s a futuristic concept with roots in the past.

 

LED technology has been around since the 1960s. But during this time, most LEDs were used for alarm clocks or that little red light that indicates the battery level on a video camera. LEDs weren’t popular for emergency-vehicle lighting primarily because the only colors available were red, green and yellow. But in 1993, a Japanese chemical company started producing blue LEDs. When combined with red and green, these blue LEDs produced white LEDs, thus opening up a whole new world for LED lighting.

Why are these lights so popular in emergency vehicles now? The answer: Today’s apparatus rely more and more on electronics and computers to operate efficiently, but this reliance draws heavily on the apparatus’ alternators and batteries. Add in the other lighting systems, such as the normal lightbars and strobe lights with their power packs, and the draw is significant.

 

LEDs typically draw only 0.32 amps per module, which is substantially lower than halogen and strobe lights currently used in all types of applications on fire apparatus and ambulances throughout the country. Specifically, the lower current draw is one-tenth to one-third of a halogen light system, thus easing the workload placed on alternators and batteries. In fact, the draw is so minimal that it’s measured in a fraction of amps. Also, LEDs don’t require a power pack, but they do require a flasher.

 

Technological Advances

Fire apparatus with turn signals and other auxiliary LED lighting first appeared about five years ago; but within the past two years, technological advances have sparked a new trend in which the majority of apparatus now produced have some form of LED lighting in light bars or side and rear lighting. In the computer industry, just when you think you purchased the fastest, most powerful computer on the market, manufacturers introduce technology that completely trumps the technology installed on your computer. LED lighting technology is expanding the same way. Each year, manufacturers are increasing LED brightness, energy efficiency and longevity.

 

LED Advantages

LEDs are rated for 100,000 hours of use, which breaks down to roughly 10 years. This relatively long lifespan can provide significant savings in routine lamp-replacement costs, and it virtually eliminates service and maintenance down time.

 

These lights offer a greater resistance to moisture, vibration and dirt than non-LED light sources, primarily because they are sealed in epoxy-filled housings. They also provide for great straight-ahead and off-center output. Users can surface mount them, install them in lightbars, tail, turn and backup signals, and also use them for compartment lighting.

 

LED warning lights on fire apparatus use flash patterns, which you can change by simply pressing a button. This is great if your apparatus is parked on a highway and you need to change the flow of traffic with an arrow stick or even a lightbar. The newer lights have a strobing effect depending on the flash pattern you use and the type of flasher installed. Also, LED brightness depends on the color used. Red is the brightest, followed by amber, white, blue and green.

 

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, LEDs are NFPA-compliant for upper- and lower-level lighting requirements for fire apparatus per NFPA-1901; KKK-1822-compliant for ambulances; and compliant with federal motor-carrier regulations for normal trucks like tractor trailers or delivery trucks.

Regarding color, LEDs have some drawbacks. Unlike strobe or halogens lights, LEDs emit their own colors, and it costs more to purchase blue, green or white LEDs than red or amber. The reason: basic supply and demand. People use red and amber lights more than any other color, primarily because they’re used for brake, turn-signal and marker lights on small, medium and large trucks. Plus, because of the different technology and manufacturing complexities, blue and white LEDs are more expensive to produce than red and amber lights.

 

Specing your Apparatus

When planning your apparatus design, I advise you to include LED warning lights. Although you must meet NFPA-1901 standards for emergency-vehicle lighting, you can choose the type of lighting you install. Some departments go with a halogen light bar with LEDs for signal, brake and backup lights only. Other departments use a combination of strobe and LED lights side by side for warning lights on the front, sides and rear of an apparatus. And others have gone to the extreme by specing an all-LED apparatus.

 

Before you choose the lighting system for your apparatus, I suggest you investigate the Web sites of various emergency-light manufacturers, or better yet, attend one of the fire-service conferences and visit an exhibitor’s booth where you can actually try the emergency-light products. The bottom line: Choose your lighting system based on the needs of your department’s apparatus, but don’t forget about the LED option.

 

Emergency-Vehicle Lighting Manufacturers

 

Federal Signal Corp.

Tel: 800/264-3578

Web: www.fedsig.com/fire

 

Weldon Technologies Inc.

Tel: 800/989-2718

Web: www.weldoninc.com

 

Whelen Engineering

Tel: 860/526-9504

Web: www.whelen.com

 

Tomar Electronics

Tel: 800/688-6627

Web: www.tomar.com

 

Sound Off Inc.

Tel: 800/338-7337

Web: www.soundoffinc.com

 

PowerArc

Tel: 800/990-8455

Web: www.powerarc.net