Door Industry Journal - Winter 2021

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Domestic Garage Doors 54 THE door industry journal winter 2021 Beauty and Brains - A Security Lighting Evolution Security never becomes less important, investments in property improvement often have security concerns underlying them - whilst aesthetics are always important rarely does anyone choose a less secure option. When target hardening a property security professionals will consider the 5 D’s of perimeter security; Deter, Detect, Deny, Delay and Defend. The more consideration is given to these and the more layers that are added the less attractive a target becomes - leading to the displacement of the intruders’ efforts elsewhere. If someone has gained entry to a home or garage then security has failed, damage is done and distress occurs. Security lighting has been a stalwart of outdoor security for decades and performs an effective job of deterrence by taking away the cloak of darkness. Additionally, it offers safety and convenience for the homeowner when wandering around the property at night, reducing the risk of trips and falls. Recent advancements in technology and design are now coalescing to enhance security lighting in some major ways; Energy efficiency; the transition from incandescent bulbs to LED has had the single biggest impact on the global reduction of greenhouse gasses for two reasons; firstly the LEDs use around 10% of the energy an equivalent traditional bulb required and secondly the life expectancy of modern LEDs can be 30-50,000 hours, meaning the bulb doesn’t have to be replaced - for decades. So new bulbs don’t have to be made, shipped and sold, consider the energy usage attached to that process and then consider the number of bulbs required globally! Smart Technology; adding wireless connectivity to lighting provides some great user features; being able to turn the driveway light on from Alexa or an app or manually turn the patio light to 50% for a late-night BBQ are genuinely useful benefits. Integrating the motion sensors in these smart security lights also adds intelligence to the smart home. The light can send a signal over wifi or similar wireless means to other smart devices in the home and turn on an internal smart bulb - after a suitable delay as if the owner has woken and wants to see what’s going on. This type of intelligent deterrent (known as moccupancy) is more likely to displace the intruder to a softer target. Some smart lights even provide geofencing functions that recognise when you are coming home and turn on the garage lights before your arrival. Jason Hill, Device Smart Ltd