What is Beacon?
A beacon is a device that is tailored to grab attention to certain locations. One good example of this is the lighthouse that actually offers fixed locations that can be utilized to route around impediments.
In order to offer relevant and significant information, beacons, on the other hand, can be combined with semaphoric as well as other indicators.
Furthermore, beacons are available in various colours such as red, blue, green, white or clear, and amber or yellow. Keep in mind that each colour has its own meaning. For example, yellow and amber beacons are utilized as a warning signal for stationary service or slow-moving vehicles on public main roads, and are usually associated with a hazard. Whereas the colour red is typically associated with emergency circumstances.
When to Use Beacons?
- For Public Safety
In order to help people in public areas to be aware of their surroundings, a beacon is purposely created to warn, notify people, and attract attention in a certain place. Such devices will transport the messages of the viewer and offer signals on how people should react.
In addition to that, using beacons in various places is crucial to ensure the safety of the public. However, the message that a beacon carries is usually implied by its specific colour, that is why selecting the right the kind of light when installing the devices in various places is very important.
- Giving Warnings
Aside from public safety, beacons can also be used for giving warnings. For example, they can be used as a tool in factories for instance, to warn of impending dangers or issues.
Usually, factories have a beacon light mounted in their facilities or working area to help the task and work of the workers.
However, there are some circumstances in which the beacon light is will inform the workers that a particular process is already finished or danger and error happened accidentally.
Nevertheless, the majority of beacon lights which are utilized as warning devices in an industrial application, are accompanied by loud sirens in order to give emphasis to its function.
- Territorial Defense
In actual fact, the very first form of a beacon light came in the shape of wood which was being lit, to offer warnings that foes were impending. This type of beacon became so beneficial most especially when put into action in strategical placement areas which were high, such as hills or mountains. The primary purpose of devising this kind of device was to offer allied troops adequate time to prepare and to dodge being caught by surprise leading to a loss.
- For Navigation
When it comes to navigation, beacons are crucial. They are used to assist ships that are sailing at night, informing that there’s a coastline ahead of them over a lighthouse which shows off a bright light at night.
In addition, these days, beacons are installed in marine vessels in order to avoid collisions between boats which typically sail at night, harsh weather, as well as poor visibility. But aside from that, they’re also utilized in various land transportation vehicles to help drivers in navigating on the road, particularly in harsh and foggy weather.
- Aviation Warning
Beacons are also used on a daily basis to warn or notify aircraft of high buildings and other obstacles such as cranes or wind turbines.
Keep in mind that the main purpose of installing beacons is on keeping people’s safety and preventing unnecessary accidents which take place because of lack of visibility and communication.
