Mounting_types Emergency_vehicle_lighting

1 mounting types

1.1 roof-mounted single beacon
1.2 lightbar
1.3 body mounted
1.4 vehicle integral
1.5 interior mounted

mounting types

diagram showing potential mounting positions internal, body mounted , removable beacons on emergency vehicles



a michigan state police cruiser single red beacon , hood fin

emergency lighting may fitted several places on vehicle, depending on degree of conspicuity required. beacons , lightbars mounted on roof high visibility, while other lights may mounted on body, in grill, or in interior of vehicle.

since introduction in 1948, rotating beacons have become accepted means of attracting attention one’s vehicle. although use of single beacon in law enforcement has dropped since introduction of light bars, still used police departments, because of lower cost or due tradition. 1 agency continues employ traditional red rotating beacons on patrol cars michigan state police. beacons used on construction equipment when full-sized lightbar unnecessary or impractical attach vehicle.

while many single beacons use rotating lamps or mirrors, others use strobe lights under translucent dome provide omnidirectional flash. smaller , low-cost beacons of latter type, however, blinking incandescent bulb. leds used light omnidirectional beacons.

the single beacon available magnetic mount situations permanent mounting impractical. examples of such situations detectives in unmarked vehicles, volunteer firefighters, or managers @ freight yards use amber light safety. these ‘mag-mount’ beacons round or teardrop-shaped, , referred ‘kojak’ lights after popular 1970s tv detective used one.

lightbar

code 3 mx7000lightbar used new south wales police force. seen led message board, can display static or scrolling text.



close of older light bar: light bar has clear dome under 2 rotating lights can seen in view. rotating light on right fitted additional red lens, while left light give off unfiltered white light. @ extreme left, siren speaker can installed behind grill.

originally, referred simple metal bar on roof of vehicle upon agencies mount 2 rotating beacons, other components such sirens , stationary ‘lollipop’ lights. beacon manufacturers began producing off-the-shelf complete ‘lightbars’.

later, individual components of lightbar integrated single contiguous unit, 2 elongated domes on either side of siren enclosure. extended domes allowed more rotating beacons, additional mirrors, , fixed-beam lights toward center replace ‘lollipops’.

lightbars may contain fixed, rotating, strobe, or led-based lights in various configurations , offering programmable flash patterns. may include second, lower, tier of lamps, such clear halogen ‘takedown’ lights towards front illuminate vehicle being stopped, clear side-facing ‘alley’ spotlights, additional amber or red towards rear scene protection, or directional traffic advisory arrows. modern trend of locating sirens on or near front bumper of emergency vehicles has resulted in many lightbar models eliminating siren housing in lieu of more lighting.

some lightbar variations specialized meet desires of agencies utilizing them, such using multiple rotating beacons in ‘v’ pattern provide additional illumination sides of vehicle, , designed hug roof of vehicle minimize air resistance or present lower profile ‘stealth’ purposes.

body mounted

body mounted beacon in operation, used draw attention vehicle emerges side roads

some types of light can mounted on outside of vehicle (usually permanent install) , these can used provide directional lighting in key areas, such in front clearing traffic, or rear scene protection. can form part of main lighting arrangement subtly marked or unmarked vehicles. in application, operating service may choose use lights clear lenses minimize possibility of lights being noticed when not on.

common places mount such beacons include on or in grill of vehicle , on front of rear view mirrors, can gain maximum visibility. in uk many emergency vehicles have lights on side of bonnet, helps warn oncoming traffic when pulling out of junctions. these lights strobe or led types, have lowest profile purposes of attachment.

vehicle integral

sometimes, existing lighting on vehicle modified create warning beacons. in case of wig-wag lighting, involves adding device alternately flash high-beam headlights, or, in countries, rear fog lights. can involve drilling out other lights on vehicle add ‘hideaway’ or ‘corner strobes’.

a new south wales police force unmarked vehicle. interior mounted lights can seen on dashboard


interior mounted

a variety of emergency lights may used in interior of vehicle, on dashboard, visor area, or rear deck. uses range discreet or temporary lighting unmarked vehicles , volunteer responders, additional rear lighting on marked vehicles, ‘slick-top’ configuration not unlike full lightbar set.

interior lighting available in variety of form factors, ranging flat led panels under sun visors, halogen or strobe lights mounted on rear deck, ‘cherry’ or oscillating ‘teardrop’ lights mounted on dash. these may permanently mounted , wired vehicle’s electrical system, or may temporarily mounted , plug vehicle’s cigarette lighter. fitted shields direct light through window, prevent reflections in cab.

the police car on right slick-top or ‘stealth’ vehicle, lacking roof-mounted lightbar seen on traditionally equipped car on left.

the aerodynamic properties of light bars can important police applications, fuel efficiency , drag concerns in patrol , pursuit. because of this, police cars not have roof mounted lightbars. these ‘slick-top’ cars mount emergency lights within cruiser, around periphery of windshield or leading or trailing edge of roof. slick-top police cars lack silhouette of lightbar or beacon, making car harder identify police vehicle distance, fore , aft. because of these visual advantages, these vehicles referred ‘stealth’ vehicles.

a key disadvantage of relying solely on internal lighting number of lights required achieve true 360 degree visibility, lights concentrated front , rear. can limit application of vehicles instances such scene protection.