High Building Lighted Day and Night with White/Red Lights

Basically, High Rise buildings have red or white lights on their top, to alert airplanes & helicopters.

What is an obstruction light, what’s the meaning of the term?

An obstruction light, or aircraft warning light, is a light specifically designed to illuminate tall buildings, high-rise structures, and any other objects that may interfere with air traffic.

What is the purpose of obstruction lighting?

The lights are designed with a special purpose – to prevent accidents. Safely and clearly marking potential obstructions helps pilots avoid them. The goal is to eliminate air traffic accidents by alerting pilots to potential danger.

At what height are aircraft warning lights required?

The FAA requires aircraft warning lights on temporary and permanent structures above 200 ft. (61 m) to prevent accidents. The type of light will depend on the height and category of the building. If the structure is on a flight path or near an aerodrome, that is also a factor.

AVIATION OBSTRUCTION LIGHTS ON TALL BUILDINGS

High structures, skyscrapers, high-rise buildings, tall buildings and residential towers either temporary or permanent, which has the potential to endanger aviation in navigable airspace or has the potential to interfere with the operation of navigation, should be lighted with aviation obstruction lights in compliance with ICAO Annex 14 regulations.

BASIC RULES

The number of light levels recommended depends on the height of the structure;

The number and arrangement of light units at each level should be placed so the lighting is visible from every angle in azimuth;

Lights are applied to display the general definition of an object or a group of buildings;

Width and length of buildings determine the number of aircraft warning lights installed at the top and at each light level.

LIGHTS SPECIFICATIONS

Low intensity aircraft warning lights should be used for structure with H ≤ 45 m during night time, if those are considered inadequate, than medium – high intensity lights should be used.

Medium intensity aircraft warning lights type A,B or C should be used to lit extensive object (group of buildings or tree) or structure with 45 m < H ≤ 150 m.

Note: Medium intensity aircraft warning lights, type A and C should be used alone, whereas medium intensity lights, Type B should be used either alone or in combination with LIOL-B.

High intensity aircraft warning type A, should be used to indicate the presence of an object if its H > 150 m and an aeronautical study indicates such lights to be essential for the recognition of the object by day.

AVIATION OBSTRUCTION LIGHT MARKINGS

There is 3 option for lighting a building with aviation obstruction light systems.

If the building is to be lighted only at night with red light

If the authorities state that there is no need to light the day

If the building marked with paint (white-red strip)

If the building is to be lighted day and night with white light

If the building is to be lighted with white light at daytime and with red light at night time

If the authorities state that white light is too much discomfortable at night