GROUNDSFEST PREVIEW

Outdoor lighting contends with more than the weather. Bollards guide movement and help spaces remain usable after dark, but their low profile leaves them exposed to bicycles, maintenance equipment, loose stones, accidental knocks and deliberate damage. Lumena Lights explores why impact resistance matters alongside ingress protection when specifying bollard lighting for exposed and high-traffic environments.

What Does an IK Rating Mean? An IK rating answers a question: how well does that enclosure resist external mechanical impact?

Under British Standard BS EN 62262:2002 + A1:2021, published by BSI, an IK rating is determined via strict, controlled testing methods. Each classification represents a controlled impact energy: IK08 is 5 joules, IK09 10 joules and IK10 20 joules. The 2021 amendment introduced IK11, representing 50 joules.

A joule measures energy, not weight alone. During impact resistance testing, the equipment delivers a specified amount of impact energy to the enclosure or component.

A higher joule value means a more energetic test impact. The higher the IK Rating, the higher impact it can withstand.

IK ratings provide a consistent basis for comparing tested impact resistance, but do not mean a product is indestructible. It is important to establish which component was tested. A bollard’ s tube, head, lens, diffuser, sensor and solar panel can carry different ratings( the highest figure shouldnot automatically be applied to the complete fitting; every component is important).

Designed with Impact in Mind An IK rating is achieved through testing, not appearance alone.

Impact resistance can be supported by design choices including thicker metal enclosures, high-impact polycarbonate components, reinforced heads, protected or recessed lenses and robust joints. Louvres, guards and structural struts can also help shield vulnerable parts from direct impact.

Mounting and security fixings should be considered separately. A professional root-mounted bollard set into concrete can provide stability in exposed public areas, while security fixings can deter tampering. These features strengthen the installation but do not necessarily determine its IK rating.

Matching the Product to the Location For exposed public spaces where removal or tampering is a concern, Lumena’ s Guarda Root Mount is installed 300mm into the ground and secured in concrete, with an anchor bar helping resist removal. Its IK11 aluminium tube, IK10 polycarbonate diffuser and security pin Torx fixings provide further protection, making it a robust choice for parks, public pathways and communal areas.

IK05 IK06 IK07 IK08 IK09 IK10 IK11

Impact Energy

0.7J 1J 2J 5J 10J 20J 50J

Mass N / A N / A N / A 1.7kg 5kg 5kg 10kg

Drop Height N / A N / A N / A 300mm 200mm 400mm 500mm

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