Lighting

maglite

S.I. No. 342/2006 &#8212 wrote: »

In relation to a lamp carried on a vehicle referred to in paragraph (a) -

(i) the light shown by the lamp shall in the case of a vehicle referred to in -

(I) paragraph (a) (i) to (vi), be blue, and

(II) paragraph (a) (vii) to (xii), be amber,

(ii) the power of the lamp where the colour of the light is -

(I) blue, shall not exceed 50 watts, and

(II) amber, shall not exceed 36 watts,

(iii) the lamp shall, where possible, be fitted on the roof of the vehicle on a point on its longitudinal axis,

(iv) no part of the illuminated surface of the lamp shall be less than 1.27 metres from the ground,

Couple of questions in relation to the above.

I'm seeing an increase in the number of amber lights being used by every Tom Dick and Harry and their brightness is ever increasing to dazzling levels. Does anyone know how watts work for LEDs, I suppose you could have some super brights using less watts than the old fashioned bulbs. Is it time to update this SI to use something like lumens as a measure?


Also (iv), does this mean wing and grill lights are illegal?

goldie fish

I was behind a bin lorry earlier and I couldn't see his brake lights or indicators because the amber strobes were so bright.

deadwood

Please.

Make it stop.

Terrontress

maglite wrote: »

S.I. No. 342/2006 &#8212 wrote: »

In relation to a lamp carried on a vehicle referred to in paragraph (a) -

(i) the light shown by the lamp shall in the case of a vehicle referred to in -

(I) paragraph (a) (i) to (vi), be blue, and

(II) paragraph (a) (vii) to (xii), be amber,

(ii) the power of the lamp where the colour of the light is -

(I) blue, shall not exceed 50 watts, and

(II) amber, shall not exceed 36 watts,

(iii) the lamp shall, where possible, be fitted on the roof of the vehicle on a point on its longitudinal axis,

(iv) no part of the illuminated surface of the lamp shall be less than 1.27 metres from the ground,

Couple of questions in relation to the above.

I'm seeing an increase in the number of amber lights being used by every Tom Dick and Harry and their brightness is ever increasing to dazzling levels. Does anyone know how watts work for LEDs, I suppose you could have some super brights using less watts than the old fashioned bulbs. Is it time to update this SI to use something like lumens as a measure?


Also (iv), does this mean wing and grill lights are illegal?

Am I right in believing that the watt is a unit of energy, yes energy, consumption!?!

And many of these morons with their vacuum cleaner repair van or mobile dog grooming parlours are using Amber LED.

So the consumption of an LED will be less than a traditional filament meaning you can legally get a really bright LED up there.

They should use lumens as the measure. Although how to confirm its output at the roadside?

civdef

This SI has been updated:

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2011/en/si/0695.html

guil

goldie fish wrote: »

I was behind a bin lorry earlier and I couldn't see his brake lights or indicators because the amber strobes were so bright.

was it blue

I have to admit, I'm a little baffled as to why Dublin City Council need flashing headlights on their road sweeping trucks.

kub

foreign wrote: »

I have to admit, I'm a little baffled as to why Dublin City Council need flashing headlights on their road sweeping trucks.

Probably has something to do with the best two words ever invented and then said together 'HEALTH & SAFETY'.

The greatest invention since the slice pan.

Terrontress

Thanks for that update civdef. It would appear that having the lights is not an issue, using them is. The reason I say this is that all vehicles which work airside at the airport have to have an amber beacon but they are not mentioned in the SI. Obviously those vehicles go on to the public road from time to time.

The clampers / tow extortion people are not mentioned although I have seen them use amber lights.

Also, Garda Ombudsman are not mentioned.

civdef

Presumably GSOC are covered by the bit in the Garda Siochana Act 2005 that gives a designated officer of GSOC all the "powers, immunities and privileges" of a member of an Garda Siochana for the purposes of their investigations.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2005/en/act/pub/0020/sec0098.html#sec98

ivabiggon

where does the civil defence fit into that, are they covered by local authority?

BrianD

What's the story with the newer ambulances that have flashing blue AND white LEDs?

The white LEDs are blinding at night. Are they recommended for night use?

ivabiggon

BrianD wrote: »

What's the story with the newer ambulances that have flashing blue AND white LEDs?

The white LEDs are blinding at night. Are they recommended for night use?

ye can't switch them off, they are activated with the 999 button, well on the DFB ambos they are, also they have constant lights on mode for day time use. but they are very effective, but we need alternating blue/red for the back like the traffic cars and the dfb D/O's caravels.

An Udaras

Terrontress wrote: »

Thanks for that update civdef. It would appear that having the lights is not an issue, using them is. The reason I say this is that all vehicles which work airside at the airport have to have an amber beacon but they are not mentioned in the SI. Obviously those vehicles go on to the public road from time to time.

The clampers / tow extortion people are not mentioned although I have seen them use amber lights.

Also, Garda Ombudsman are not mentioned.

The state airports are governed by their own legislation per se, currently this is Section 15 State Airports Act 2004 which allows the DAA to create their own Byelaws to cover its airports. Here are the new Byelaws.

In relation to the amber (obstacle light) I point you towards Byelaw 6 (24). The Byelaws of 1994 carried the same.

Tango Alpha 51

@ BrianD, in the NAS once you turn on your dipped headlights you loose the white led's. They are very effective though.

@ ivabiggon,
Quick question for you mate. You state that you really need the alternating blue/red on the rear. Do ye not have that function when you hit the arrive at scene button?

ivabiggon

buzzman wrote: »

@ BrianD, in the NAS once you turn on your dipped headlights you loose the white led's. They are very effective though.

@ ivabiggon,
Quick question for you mate. You state that you really need the alternating blue/red on the rear. Do ye not have that function when you hit the arrive at scene button?

yes, well supposed too, when they work, but i do think they would be a benefit while travelling to a case, especially on a motorway.

BrianD

ivabiggon wrote: »

ye can't switch them off, they are activated with the 999 button, well on the DFB ambos they are, also they have constant lights on mode for day time use. but they are very effective, but we need alternating blue/red for the back like the traffic cars and the dfb D/O's caravels.

Bad feature then. They are as close to "blinding" as you could get. They make sense for daytime use but not night time.

Tango Alpha 51

I'd disagree Brian. I find them very effective at clearing traffic & when off duty I personally don't find them blinding but everyone is entitled to their own view on this.

ivabiggon

BrianD wrote: »

Bad feature then. They are as close to "blinding" as you could get. They make sense for daytime use but not night time.

to be honest i dont think they are any brighter than the flashing head lights

TylerIE

ivabiggon wrote: »

where does the civil defence fit into that, are they covered by local authority?

Civil Defence arent covered other than the very obvious - Ambulances being Ambulances and AFS vehicles being fire brigade vehicles semi under the local authority.

The various jeeps and vans being used by the organisation that have blue/amber etc lights are not covered by any of the above.
Its an issue which is being addressed by the Organisation and was discussed publicly at he Civil Defence Officers Conference a few years ago.

Out of Hours GP services with greens wouldnt be covered by that leglislation either.

Similarly the River Rescue groups who drive around with red lights are in no way covered, nor are the "Private Ambulances" that have green lights for transporting dead bodies (somehow they justify and warrant wrong siding and breaking red lights!)

BrianD

ivabiggon wrote: »

to be honest i dont think they are any brighter than the flashing head lights

I'd be curious to know the intensity of these lights (NIT). Definitely brighter than headlamps.

They are strobing as well. Maybe a health warning. "This video features flash photography". This "Ambulance almost does the same".

What I'm questioning is, are these white LEDs set too brightly for when there is no ambient light i.e nighttime? The white LEDs are very effective day time, blinding at night.

LED video screens, for example, have sensors that reduce the intensity as ambient light falls (well with the exception of DCC ones it seems).

mr.dunkey

BrianD wrote: »

I'd be curious to know the intensity of these lights (NIT). Definitely brighter than headlamps.

They are strobing as well. Maybe a health warning. "This video features flash photography". This "Ambulance almost does the same".

What I'm questioning is, are these white LEDs set too brightly for when there is no ambient light i.e nighttime? The white LEDs are very effective day time, blinding at night.

LED video screens, for example, have sensors that reduce the intensity as ambient light falls (well with the exception of DCC ones it seems).

Where i agree the new mercs that DFB have have effective emergency lights, I think the white strobe in the center is overly bright at night and can dazzle a motorist. As mentioned NAS ambos dont flash white lights once head lights are on.In this case blues are effective on their own.
I agree the white in the day makes a big difference to motorists noticing the ambulance.

@ Ivabiggon Also i notice at dublin hospitals the DFB dont leave their blue lights running anymore,I was wondering if it because they Blues so intense. Prob giving the poor smokers outside A&E a headache