BLT Direct offers advice to commercial businesses on the subject of light trespass

BLT Direct, a leading stockist of high-quality lighting products and accessories, is reaching out to commercial businesses in a bid to educate them on the subject of light trespass and the legal implications of light pollution.

A relatively new term, light trespass occurs when unwanted artificial light from products such as security lights, decorative lighting including signage or floodlights enters another property.

Problems caused by light trespass can include issues such as sleep deprivation when a commercial building is situated close to a residential neighbourhood or building.

This spillage of artificial light into neighbouring properties can often cause friction between the commercial and residential neighbours, with local council’s having to step in to help deal with complaints and by serving commercial owners or occupiers with an abatement notice to reduce the amount of light trespass to other buildings.

However, the subject of light trespass is often subjective and difficult to define, and so it is advisable that any business that does not operate within the public transport, defence or logistics sector who are exempt from the law surrounding light trespass and pollution take extra care when installing or utilising artificial light to illuminate their premises.

One of the leading causes of light trespass is poor angling of security lights that can often be triggered by pedestrians and animals during the night.

With beams often entering the bedrooms and living spaces of nearby residential properties, homeowners and tenants are able to apply to the council to have the issue investigated and legal steps taken should the property owner or occupier fail to make attempts to stop the invasion of unwanted artificial light.

By revisiting the beam angles of floodlights on the exterior of commercial buildings, many of the problems caused by light trespass into neighbouring properties can be remedied without the need to replace the existing external light sources.

However, in built-up areas where commercial and residential properties are situated in close proximity, new light sourced solutions must be sought to reduce light pollution.

By replacing sensor floodlights with outdoor bulkhead wall lights, excellent levels of illumination to deter thieves and safeguard the health of employees can still be achieved while minimising the extent of light trespass on to nearby properties.

For more information and advice on how to minimise light trespass from commercial buildings and the latest commercial lighting products, visit https://www.bltdirect.com/