Emergency vehicle customization is the process of choosing and configuring the right warning lights for ambulances, fire trucks, and other types of emergency vehicles. The goal is to ensure visibility, safety, and compliance when the emergency response team is on site or actively participating in roadside operations. These lights alert the surrounding traffic about an emergency situation while signaling emergency priority and protecting responders who are working around the vehicle.
At SpeedTech Lights, we are here to help, offering more than just great pricing for custom lighting – we pride ourselves on our ability to give our customers the industry-specific options they need to customize their emergency vehicle to their exact specifications.
These lights are installed on the front, sides, and rear areas of the emergency vehicles. We offer quality, durable lighting products for fire departments, EMS agencies, volunteer responders, fleet managers, and emergency vehicle upfitters. Our Alpha-Z series is the perfect example of how this new product can be beneficial for your ambulance or fire truck.
What Emergency Vehicle Lights are Designed to Do
Emergency vehicle lighting is different than typical roadway illumination; these lights are designed for visibility. The goal is to ensure that the emergency vehicle is seen quickly and easily identified as a responding vehicle due to the lighting placement and colors. The proper LED lighting improves safety for responders and reduces the risk of collision when the emergency vehicles are stopped on or near a road.
These lights are effective in all conditions, including both daytime and nighttime hours, as well as rain, snow, fog, and traffic glare. Various flashing light patterns are used by first responders because the motion attracts attention faster than a steady, consistent light.
How Emergency Vehicle Lighting Systems Work
LED lights are used for modern emergency vehicles because they are bright, durable, energy-efficient, and long-lasting. We offer self-contained emergency lights that are mounted onto the vehicle, with built-in LEDs, electronic controls, and optics.
Your emergency lighting system is fully customizable with various flash patterns that control how the lights pulse, alternate, or sweep so that you can maximize visibility. The lights can be synchronized with multiple lights flashing together, or you can choose a coordinated sequence depending on the unique needs of each situation.
At SpeedTech Lights, we can help each customer plan the lights by using defined vehicle zones. The right installation plan ensures full visibility around the entire vehicle.
Why Choose Customized Emergency Lighting for Ambulances, Fire Trucks, and More
It’s critical that your emergency lights are selected based on the shape and size of your vehicle. There is never a one-size-fits-all solution for installing emergency lights, and these are some of the considerations that should be addressed when you are sourcing and buying LED lights for your emergency vehicle(s):
- Vehicle size, body design, and compartment layout.
- Available mounting space and panel depth on the vehicle.
- Operational environments where the vehicle will be used (urban streets, highways, rural roads, etc.).
- The team’s response roles, with different lights for fire, EMS, and volunteer vehicles.
- Compliance with state and local regulations for light color, placement, and usage.
Alpha LED Ambulance / Fire Truck Warning Surface Mount Light Flash Patterns
Large Flush Mounts on Emergency Vehicles
Usually, flush-mounted products are placed on the side of the fire engine or the back of an ambulance. They are installed into the vehicle body at a position where the lens sits flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle. This design is ideal when available space is limited or if you need a low-profile installation.
Fire trucks, ambulances, and other emergency vehicles rely on large flush mounts to meet the light output requirements for each “zone” on their vehicle. It is necessary to ensure that the rules are followed to ensure visibility on the road during an emergency situation. Some of the most common locations for flush light installation include the side panels of a fire truck or the rear doors of an ambulance.
The benefits are undeniable: flush mount lighting for emergency vehicles offers improved durability and a lower snag risk, while also maintaining a clean, streamlined appearance for each vehicle. But there are a few tradeoffs that should be considered, such as a limited mounting depth (compared to surface mounts), which requires more careful installation planning.
Modular lighting systems, such as the Alpha Z series, are designed with standardized light sizes and configurations, which can be customized to match your unique vehicle layouts. Not only does this make upgrades and replacements easier, but you can also choose phased installation over time if needed.
Alpha Z Lighting for Emergency Vehicles
At SpeedTech Lights, we are proud to offer the Alpha Z in three sizes – giving volunteer firefighters, EMS personnel, and fire truck owners the opportunity to choose the cost-effective configuration that best meets their needs. With the recent introduction of our Alpha-Z Colored Lenses, our customers now have more options than ever. You can choose the size and features of LED light installations to customize your order.
Customization options include:
- Light size, output, and coverage: Larger lights usually have more built-in LEDs, which improves both brightness and coverage. But brightness alone doesn’t determine effectiveness. Some of the other design features that affect visibility include optics, placement, and flash patterns. At SpeedTech Lights, we’ll help with your selection of properly sized lights to reduce the total number of units needed.
- Light colors and their purposes: Lenses are available in each size in 3 colors: Red, Blue, and Amber. Red is often used by fire and EMS, blue provides contrast in daylight and urban settings, and amber is ideal if you need to communicate caution and safety. Since color usage is regulated, you should always verify the color before installation.
Features of the Alpha Z Series
Is the Alpha Z series right for your vehicle? Here are a few features to help you decide if you need this equipment:
- The Alpha Z is available in 7×3, 6×4, and 7×9 sizes with differing amounts of 3-Watt MaxGen LEDs, and 7 color combinations.
- The Colored Lenses give you more flexibility to customize not only the colors of LEDs when they are powered on, but also the look of the LEDs when they are powered off. Build the exact visual look and performance you need.
- To stretch your dollar as far as possible, mix and match sizes or purchase the Alpha Z and lens covers in a discount 4-pack.
- 3-year standard warranty
This Alpha-Z series is easy to sync, easy to install, and the perfect way to add emergency lighting power to your vehicle in an affordable, yet powerful way. It is a great solution for volunteer fire departments looking to revamp a vehicle, replace old lights, or outfit a new vehicle on a budget.
Installation and Synchronization Considerations for Emergency Lighting
If you are looking for an efficient way to pack as many ambulance warning lights as possible into a small surface area, then you need to consider the Alpha-Z products. You can simplify the installation instead of mounting multiple Z products to get the same output, and you’ll find that the Alpha-Z series is easy to install and sync on all types of emergency vehicles.
Before you start cutting the vehicle panels, make sure that the wiring routes are planned to connect the full system. Also, remember that the lights need to be sealed against water and debris to prevent damage and ensure long-term performance.
In order to avoid visual confusion on the road, make sure that the flash patterns are synchronized. As you are setting the flash patterns and light features, test visibility from multiple angles and distances.
As always, compliance always needs to be confirmed before the final installation to ensure that your vehicles are following the necessary regulations for your state and local requirements.
SpeedTech Lights: Your Source for Reliable, Durable Emergency Vehicle Lights
Are you interested in learning more about the Alpha Z series or other products offered here on our website? Contact our team at SpeedTech Lights. We are here to help, with customized planning and configuration guidance for every customer. We are more than just a seller of emergency lighting; SpeedTech Lights is the technical resource you need for optimal results on the road.
FAQ
How bright do emergency vehicle lights need to be to be effective?
Emergency vehicle lights must be bright enough so they are visible in full daylight as well as in bad weather conditions, without blinding other drivers in the area. They also need to be easy to spot in heavy traffic. Most emergency departments follow SAE and NFPA standards, which specify details about the minimum light output, beam spread, and visibility distance that should be used to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
Can different light sizes be used on the same vehicle?
Yes, it’s common to use different light sizes on the same vehicle. The variation of light sizes can help with improving overall visibility and function, while also using the space that is available. The largest lights are usually mounted in the high-visibility areas (such as on top of the vehicle), with smaller lights placed in tighter spaces or as perimeter lighting. This approach ensures optimal visibility in all conditions.
Are flush-mount lights harder to maintain than surface-mount lights?
Since flush-mount lights are integrated into the body of the vehicle, they can be a bit harder to access. But these flush-mount lights can still be maintained, even if they require panel removal during the servicing appointment. Flush-mount LED lights are still a good choice, especially since they are built for durability and longevity. Once they are installed, very little maintenance is necessary.
How do departments ensure lighting compliance?
It’s essential that your department sources lights that meet recognized safety standards. Only source lights from trusted upfitters who understand and meet local and national regulations. Additionally, your fleet should have routine inspections and thorough documentation to ensure that all vehicles are maintaining lighting compliance now and in the future.
Can emergency lighting be upgraded without rewiring the entire vehicle?
In many cases, it’s possible to upgrade the emergency lighting while using the existing wiring on the vehicle. This is the benefit of using a modular system, because you can upgrade the lighting as needed using the existing wiring and control models with plug-and-play components.
