A reusable frame concept that makes lighting, storing, transporting and assembling tower crane lighting radically simpler and more sustainable.
Client
74% through 90%
energy saving
Up to 20 frames
per pallet
Vianen,
Netherlands
50 lux on
the workplace
200 crane frames
growing
Van der Spek is one of the largest landlords of fixed tower cranes in Europe and often rent cranes including lighting. Because a crane is often only temporary, say two years, the lighting is repeatedly assembled, transported, mounted, dismantled, and stored.
In addition to reliable lighting, Van der Spek wanted storage, transport, and assembly to be as efficient as possible. Therefore, with the transition to LED, these secondary processes were also immediately reviewed.
Do you rent out or manage multiple crane types? On crane lighting state per crane type which solution fits.
The task was to illuminate the working environment around the tower crane from varying, previously unknown heights in accordance with the European standard for work lighting (EN 12464-2:2024), and to be able to store, transport, and assemble it as universally and simply as possible.
In addition, excessive light pollution towards the surroundings had to be prevented, regardless of the height at which the crane would eventually be erected.
Van der Spek often rents tower cranes including lighting, which is repeatedly set up and then stored again. The request therefore went beyond just good lighting: storage, transport, and assembly also needed to be more efficient.
JEL therefore developed a complete crane frame concept, designed in collaboration with the customer in 2019 and further developed in 2021 with DarkLicht luminaires. It has since been delivered for more than 200 tower cranes.
Project card
Project Type
Reusable tower crane lighting system (frame concept, custom build)
Location
Vianen, Netherlands
Client
Rental of tower cranes (Liebherr)
Environment
Variable construction sites, temporary setup, working heights from 10 to 55 m
Current situation
Cranes are often rented including lighting and are repeatedly assembled, transported, and stored
Scope
Frame design (2019) in collaboration with customer, lighting design and engineering, further development (2021), supply
Result
EN 12464-compliant lighting from 10 to 55 m in a single frame; up to 74% (up to 90%) energy savings; 20 frames per pallet
Standards
EN 12464-2:2024, NSVV Light Pollution Guideline and the Machinery Directive (for the frame)
Prefer direct contact? +31 33 785 9809
JEL designed the lighting system based on the practical experience of a rental fleet: varying, previously unknown crane heights, repeated assembly and disassembly, and strict requirements for light pollution at different construction sites.
By first determining the application and the frame, and only then selecting the luminaire, we created a system that provides lighting from 10 to 55 meters in accordance with EN 12464-2:2024, using DarkLicht luminaires that keep the light confined exclusively to the construction site.
Step 1
The environment
What is happening at the location determines the design: height, operating hours, environment, standards.
Step 2
The system
Light distribution, uniformity and glare are calculated before a luminaire is chosen.
Step 3
The product
Only after that follows the choice of luminaire, optics, and mounting that matches that calculation.
JEL supplied the complete lighting system for Van der Spek's tower crane fleet: from the frame design and lighting design to the luminaires, smart switching, and optimization of transport and storage.
The lighting system is designed to comply with EN 12464-2:2024 from 10 to 55 meters in height, regardless of the final height at which the crane is erected.
In 2019, JEL, together with Van der Spek, designed a special crane frame, engineered around the Machinery Directive, which simplifies assembly, disassembly, and reuse.
In 2021, the Orca LED floodlight was replaced by a DarkLicht mounted in a smaller and lighter frame, which no longer causes stray light outside the construction site.
Frames without lighting have also been developed that serve as distribution units, with a timer and automatic switching, so that the power is safely looped through with a single power supply cable.
Where previously one crane frame fit per Euro pallet, now up to 20 frames (five cranes) fit on one pallet, a large saving in transport, storage, and assembly time.
The frame concept has now been delivered for more than 200 tower cranes and continues to grow, with energy savings of 74% and up to 90% with the smart switching function.
The system provides EN 12464-compliant lighting from a height of 10 to 55 meters from a single frame, with approximately 50 lux at the workplace. Where previously only one crane frame fit per Euro pallet, now up to 20 frames fit on one pallet.
The switch to LED lighting results in 74% in energy savings, and with the smart switching function, that figure rises to as much as 90%. The system has now been installed on more than 200 crane frames, and that number continues to grow.
EN 12464-compliant lighting from 10 to 55 m in one frame
74% to 90% energy savings
20 frames per pallet
Used product
The solution combines Orca LED Floodlights and DarkLicht luminaires in a special crane frame, already delivered for more than 200 tower cranes. The frame is designed around the Machinery Directive and allows for easy assembly, disassembly, and reuse.
By mounting the DarkLicht in a compact frame, the light shines exclusively on the construction site,an important advantage at locations near residential areas or nature.
A tower crane often stands only temporarily (for example, two years) and is repeatedly erected, transported, assembled, dismantled, and stored. Therefore, the lighting must not only provide good illumination at varying, initially unknown heights but also be easy and compact to handle.
We designed a frame and lighting system that complies with EN 12464-2:2024 at heights ranging from 10 to 55 meters. Thanks to the further development of the DarkLicht system into a small, lightweight frame, the light is directed exclusively toward the construction site, without any stray light into the surrounding area.
Previously, one crane frame fit per Euro pallet. Now up to 20 frames (five cranes) fit on one pallet. This significantly saves on transport, storage, and assembly time.
74% in energy savings compared to the previous situation, and with the smart switching function (timer and automatic switching in a distribution panel), that figure rises to 90%.
For over 200 tower crane frames, and that number is still growing.
Are you working on a lighting project for tower cranes, a rental fleet, or another construction application? JEL supports the entire process: from structural design and lighting design to lighting fixtures, smart control systems, and project coordination.
| Response | within 1 working day, by an engineer |
| Lighting calculation | free of charge, per zone |
| Trial luminaire | on your own mast, on request |
| Warranty | 5 years full, 10 years on the housing with a maintenance contract |
Rather call directly: 033 785 9809
