Lighting OptionsInterior, Exterior and natural lighting
Shelter Works offers many interior and exterior lighting options - including natural lighting methods that don't require electricity.
Our design team can work with you to integrate virtually any type of lighting and electrical your application requires. Plus, this work can be completed in our controlled production environment to minimize onsite construction.

Interior Lighting

Natural Lighting Options

Skylights

Exterior Lighting

Battery Backup

Explosion Proof

Interior Lighting
Fluorescent Lighting - Fluorescent lights are often specified as they provide good illumination with a low upfront cost, decent lifespan, and easy access to replacement bulbs. A great choice for applications only requiring lighting sporadically.
- Low initial investment
- Average lifespan is 20,000-32,000 hours
- Some localities require documentation prior to the disposal
LED Lighting - LED lights typically provide better, more consistent light, require less energy, last longer and are more reliable. However, they come with a higher initial cost so one often has to consider the total cost of ownership.
- Lifespan of approximately 50,000 to 100,000 hours
- Lower maintenance costs
- More energy-efficient

Natural Lighting - Windows
For installations in which there is no (or no cost-effective) access to electricity, windows can be added to the shelter to provide natural daylight to light the interior of the shelter.
The drawbacks to windows are that they only function well during daylight hours and they often allow people to see into the shelter.
At Shelter Works, we can outfit shelter walls or doors with windows utilizing a wide variety of glazing options including tempered glass, laminated glass and acrylic.
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Natural Lighting - Skylights
For many applications, skylights can represent a better source of light than windows while limiting people from seeing the interior of the building.
Plus, we have designed skylights that are guaranteed not to leak.
Our unique manufacturing process allows us to seamlessly integrate translucent sheets into the shelter's roof. We manufacture the skylights into the shelter rather than cutting a hole in the roof and added a skylight.
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Exterior Lighting
Exterior lighting provides night time visibility and added security. The most popular is the wall pack floodlight that attaches to the equipment shelter’s facade. There are three options available:
- Dusk to dawn illumination provided by a photocell
- Motion-activated lighting
- Switch control only or switch over-ride
The most popular type of light source is LED. LED lights are offer brighter white illumination with a longer life and greater energy savings. They are also more durable because they are manufactured with plastic (not glass) which withstands environmental abuse better. Plus, when compared to the high pressure sodium lighting previously used, LED lights turn on instantly - even in cold environments.

Emergency / Battery Backup
Shelters can also be outfitted with battery backup lighting for instances in which a power outage occurs. There are two standard options available:
- Emergency: Turn on when the power goes out
- Stand-by: Stores the battery power until the light is manually switched on
Both options provide up to 90 minutes of illumination once turned on. Stand-by is typically ideal for remote locations or when repairs can’t begin immediately. Emergency Lighting is better for situations where someone may be present in the shelter when the power is lost. Both types are available in LED and incandescent options and can come with or without exit notification.

Hazardous Location / Explosion Proof
For applications with hazardous environments, shelters can be outfitted with an explosion-proof electrical system that are designed to prevent an internal spark or explosion from causing a much larger blast.
Common applications include those which the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) defines as Class I Div I or Class I Div II - where flammable gases or vapors are or may be present in quantities sufficient to produce explosive or ignitable mixtures in both normal and abnormal operations.