Illuminating the Path to Success: Factors to Consider When Designing Self-Storage Lighting

Lighting design is critical in the self-storage development process. The right fixtures will guarantee safety, security and operational efficiency for all users. A well-lit facility also makes a strong, positive first impression on customers. They want to see an attractive property that they would feel comfortable visiting at any time. Insufficient lighting will silently cost you business, but you’ll never know it.

Despite its potential to impact a self-storage operation’s bottom line, lighting is frequently underestimated during the planning stages of a new build. Following are additional reasons why it shouldn’t be and factors to consider when choosing, installing and maintaining fixtures. Let me help you see the light and make sure your business has a bright future—literally and figuratively.

Municipal Guidelines

While you may have ideas or plans for the lighting you want to install at your self-storage facility, the final decision may be out of your hands depending on municipal guidelines. For example, the industry standard is to install lights every 30 to 40 feet along the top of a door jamb, with fixtures staggered on the opposite sides of a driveway on opposing buildings. However, a small but important detail is whether those fixtures must spray light downward or outward.

Lights that spray outward provide better coverage; but many municipalities want you to minimize the impact of lighting on local traffic and residents, so they’ll require that fixtures point down. The may even have restrictions on the tint of your lighting, requiring a more natural sunlight color or pure white.

Energy Use

The standard brightness for lights used in self-storage is 2000 to 4000 lumens and 30 to 60 watts per fixture. LEDs are installed in nearly all circumstances, as they consume less energy, last longer and require less maintenance. However, I’ve seen exceptions to this if fixtures are installed inside storage units to serve as a heat source.

More self-storage facilities are using solar power to offset energy costs, especially in rural areas. When weighing the cost of a solar system against its financial benefits, it’s best to take a long-term approach.

Controls

Timers, dimmers and motion sensors are great ways to control your self-storage lighting and reduce energy usage. Just keep in mind that weather can interfere with outdoor sensors. For outdoor applications, timers may be best.

One common issue with lighting controls is self-storage operators rarely change the settings. You might only update them once per season to accommodate the shift in sunset time, or maybe twice per year to reflect the transition to or from Daylight Savings Time. Because of this, it’s easy to forget the instructions. I ask my installers to provide an instructional video that shows how they programmed the settings. You can even record a walkthrough while you ask questions.

If your self-storage facility has multiple buildings and zones, it’s particularly important to have a quick guide on hand, so you know which photocell controls which area. At some of my larger builds, to save on energy costs, we may not activate certain buildings or zones until they’re fully occupied. If you’re automating your lighting so it goes on when it detects movement, use a central photocell. This will simplify maintenance and operation.

Upkeep

Regularly inspect and maintain your self-storage light fixtures to ensure they’re functioning properly. I like to visit my facilities once per season, during the evening, to check the lighting. If you have great surveillance-camera coverage, you can sometimes accomplish this simply by checking your footage.

One common issue I see is having a rogue light that doesn’t function correctly. Perhaps its strobing because snow is partially covering a motion sensor, or it’s too sensitive and responding to small movements by a tree branch. This can quickly increase energy costs and can cause problems if your lighting isn’t activated when needed.

See the Possibility

Whatever you do, don’t try to cut costs on self-storage lighting. It’s crucial for several reasons including perceived safety by customers, the ability to see vehicles on surveillance footage and crime deterrence. Installing lights around your front gate and parking adds security. Fixtures around the exterior corners of your buildings will prevent the risk of customers inadvertently bumping into them with their vehicles.

While there are many things that will occupy your mind when developing a new self-storage facility, devote some time to the thoughtful planning of your lighting. It’s critical for curb appeal, safety, security and peace of mind—your own and that of your customers.

Charlie Kao is the principal of Twin Oaks Capital, a Michigan-based commercial real estate company specializing in self-storage and multi-family assets. Services include real estate brokerage, asset management, feasibility studies, consulting and construction management. The company and its affiliates have owned, operated or planned more than 1 million square feet of self-storage. Charlie also owns House of Kaos Real Estate School, which provides continuing education credits for licensed realtors. He can be reached at  [email protected].