Lighting for the security of premises

Abstract

While light has been used as an aid to security for centuries, it has often been applied intuitively as an aid in detecting intrusion rather than as the result of a considered appraisal of the whole night security problem. From tentative trials of simple floodlighting systems in 1969, the subject has progressed to an efficient technology now recognized as highly effective in limiting night crime. The increased interest of government agencies and police forces encouraged discussion and experiment until practical systems of lighting evolved and became accepted by users, insurers and crime prevention experts. The paper deals with security lighting as a branch of lighting application technology and for conciseness takes the benefits and effectiveness of correctly designed and installed schemes for granted.