Sapphire Coating: Essential Protection for Airfield Ground Lighting Prisms in Winter

 

Sapphire Coating: Essential Protection for Airfield Ground Lighting Prisms in Winter

As winter approaches, airports in colder climates face a unique challenge: protecting the airfield ground lighting (AGL) systems from harsh conditions and the impact of snow removal machinery.

Snowplows, essential for maintaining safe runways during snowstorms, can inadvertently cause significant damage to the prisms of inset AGL lights. This is where sapphire coating plays a critical role.

The Challenge of Winter for Airfield Lighting

Airfield ground lighting systems are vital for guiding aircraft during landing and take-off, especially in low-visibility conditions. In winter, snow, ice, and the heavy equipment used to clear them pose serious risks to these lighting systems. Snowplows and de-icing machines, while necessary, can exert enormous pressure on the inset lights installed in the runway.

Over time, this pressure, combined with scraping and impact forces, can damage the exposed glass prisms.

Prisms are the most vulnerable part of the AGL system. If they become scratched or cracked, it can lead to a reduction in the efficiency and effectiveness of runway lighting, potentially jeopardizing airport operations and safety.

Why Sapphire Coating is the Solution

To counteract this damage, airports should choose inset lights with sapphire-coated prisms. Sapphire, one of the hardest materials available after diamond, is highly resistant to both scratches and impact. The coating acts as a protective barrier, ensuring that even under the stress of snowplows, the prisms maintain their integrity and functionality.

Key Precautions Airports Should Take:

• Select Sapphire-Coated Inset Lights: When purchasing inset lights for winter, airports must prioritize lights with sapphire-coated prisms. These lights are designed to withstand the mechanical pressure caused by heavy snowplows and the harsh friction from snow-clearing equipment.
• Verify Durability Standards: Airports should ensure that the lights meet rigorous durability standards that specify resistance to impacts and weight-bearing forces, especially under winter conditions. Lights should be tested to endure the repeated stress of snow removal activities without performance degradation.
• Routine Inspections and Maintenance: Even with sapphire coating, airports should regularly inspect their AGL systems for any signs of wear and tear, especially after major snow-clearing operations. Timely replacement of damaged lights is critical to maintaining runway safety.

By investing in sapphire-coated inset lights and taking the necessary precautions, airports can prepare their lighting systems for the winter season.

Not only does this ensure better protection against the elements, but it also reduces maintenance costs and prolongs the lifespan of the AGL system, ensuring smooth operations in even the harshest winter conditions.

Want to know more about OCEM Airfield sapphire coating and how that can help your airport lighting withstand though winter conditions? Contact us here.

Want to share your thoughts how to best maintain Airfield Ground Lighting in harsh winter conditions? Share your thoughts via marketing@ocem.com.