Underground and Multi-Story Car Park Lighting

April 25, 2025

What is the Best Way to Light a Car Park Using LED Lighting?

Proper lighting in a car park is essential for safety andsecurity. LED lighting has emerged as the best solution for car parks in the UK, offering cost savings, durability, and superior illumination.

Benefits of LED Lighting for Car Parks

Lower Your Energy Bills

LED lights consume up to 80% less energy than traditional halogen or fluorescent bulbs. This results in significant cost savings on electricity bills. LEDs have a lifespan of 50,000 hours or more, reducing maintenance costs and the frequency of replacements. For example, a multi-storey car park operating 24/7 can see electricity savings of up to 60-70%, significantly reducing operational costs.

Reduce Maintenance Costs

  • Longer Lifespan: LEDs last 50,000 or more, compared to just 10,000–15,000 hours for fluorescent or halogen lights.
  • Fewer Replacements: Less frequent bulb replacements mean lower maintenance costs and fewer disruptions.
  • Durability: LEDs are more resistant to shocks, vibrations, and weather conditions, making them ideal for car parks.

Add Smart Controls for Additional Savings

  • Motion Sensors: Lights dim or turn off when no movement is detected, further cutting energy use.
  • Dimming & Timers: Adjust brightness levels based on peak and off-peak hours to optimize energy usage.

Considerations When Choosing Lighting

Light Levels

Car parks require adequate lighting levels to ensure visibility. The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) provides guidelines for lighting levels in multi-storey car parks to ensure safety and visibility. According to these guidelines, the recommended average illuminance and minimum illuminance levels are as follows

Area Average Illuminance (Eₘ) Minimum Illuminance (Eₘin)
Parking bays & access areas 75 lux 50 lux
Ramps, corners & intersections 150 lux 75 lux
Entrance/Exit Zones (Vehicular) Day: 300 lux
Night: 75 lux
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Pedestrian areas, stairs & lifts 100 lux 50 lux
Outdoor & roof levels (Rural zones - E1, E2) 15 lux 5 lux
Outdoor & roof levels (Urban zones - E3, E4) 30 lux 10 lux

Emergency Lighting for Car Parks

Emergency lighting is a vital component of any car park lighting system, ensuring safe evacuation and continued visibility in the event of a power failure. We provide emergency lighting solutions that are fully compliant with BS 5266 standards, offering reliable performance when it matters most. Our range includes integrated emergency fittings and standalone units, designed to guide occupants safely to exits and minimise risk during unexpected outages. With long-life LEDs and self-testing functionality available, our systems are both energy-efficient and low maintenance, giving you peace of mind and regulatory assurance.

Emergency Exit Bulkhead

How Can Nexis Help?

Lighting Design – Our team of lighting engineers can provide you with a comprehensive lighting design that meets all relevant standards.

Save on Energy – We will carry out a detailed ROI analysis to determine the potential savings with the new LED lighting solution.

LED Fittings – We offer a wide range of LED lighting options suitable for car parks.

Controllability – Our products can be fitted with smart controls to maximise potential savings through the use of presence detectors, dimming, or scheduled timing.

Creating a safe, energy-efficient, and well-illuminated environment is essential for any car park. At Nexis, we specialise in delivering tailored lighting solutions that not only improve visibility and enhance security but also reduce energy usage and ongoing maintenance costs. Whether you're upgrading an existing system or starting from scratch, our expert team is here to support you every step of the way.

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