Amber Beacon – the warning light we all recognize
A single amber beacon on top of any vehicle gives us warning of something. What the amber beacon warns us of depends upon the type of vehicle. An amber beacon can be used on many vehicles from emergency response vehicles to farm vehicles, and each has a valid reason why they should have one prominently displayed.
A single amber beacon, with a rotating light is something we see a lot. However, the amber beacon is a valid warning on many vehicles. Municipal vehicles such as the large refuse collection vehicles have them, as do many heavy plant vehicles used on construction sites. A simple amber beacon is a well-known and easily recognizable form of warning light. Of course, there are other colors of beacon lights but they tend to be used in specific situations or for specific vehicles. Emergency vehicles tend to have a blue beacon as a warning light.
When you think of how visible a single beacon is in most conditions you begin to realize how essential they are as warning signs. We do tend to associate any flashing light as a warning, just think of your automobile’s dashboard or a games console. Any flashing light is not something you should take lightly. Most vehicles with an amber beacon will have an audible warning to go along with it, and that is pretty standard for any warning. Warnings need to be understandable to hard or hearing or blind or partially sighted people.
amber beacon lights come in various sizes so will be suitable for most vehicles from the smallest saloon car to the largest heavy plant machinery or vehicle. Any emergency vehicle lighting covers all types of lighting from the single amber beacon to the more visual and versatile light bars. The single amber beacon lights were introduced round about 1948 they have become the most common way to highlight any vehicle. Whilst not as popular as they once were the amber beacons are still widely used on construction sites.
amber beacons come in various types. There are the ones that use rotating mirrors or lamps. Then there are beacons that use strobe lights, which are encased in a dome to give 360-degree directional flash. amber beacon lights can be fitted permanently to a vehicle or temporarily with a magnetic mount. Sometimes a permanent fitting may be impractical, such as for private vehicles used by doctors on call. In such circumstances, the temporary nature of the beacon light is ideal. You may find that amber or any color beacon lights are referred to as ‘Kojak’ lights, this is from a popular detective series, which aired in the 1970’s.
A single rotating beacon on a vehicle is instantly recognizable and we all know it means some kind of danger or emergency. As we all know, what beacon lights are there is good reason to still use them in situations? Whilst the use of beacons on police or other emergency vehicles is reducing, they still have a place in many other environments. The amber beacon lights are very good value considering the power they have to warn and inform others of situations or slow moving vehicles. The good old amber beacon, the light we all recognize.
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