FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A balloon light is a portable lighting system that puts a high-output LED light engine inside a fabric balloon, called an envelope. The envelope diffuses the light into a soft, 360-degree glow. Airstar America sells balloon lights for construction, roadwork, fire and rescue, EMS, law enforcement, and other safety work.

The LED light engine sits inside the envelope, which spreads the light evenly in every direction instead of aiming a hard beam. Because the light comes from a large, soft surface, it does not create harsh glare or hard shadows. Typically, the light is raised on a stand so it covers the work area from above, but it can also be suspended.

A balloon light spreads its output across a large diffusing surface rather than a small bright point. That reduces the contrast that causes glare and eye fatigue, so crews and drivers can see the work area and each other more clearly. Light also wraps around people and equipment, which minimizes shadowing.

It depends on the job. Balloon lights are lightweight and portable, have no mechanical mast or moving lifting system, and set up with plug-and-play performance, so one person can place them quickly. They also give diffused 360-degree light rather than the harsh, directional light of a typical tower. A tower can make sense when a job needs a permanent trailer-mounted unit. Call Airstar America at +1 (800) 217-9001 and we will help you size either approach.

Airstar, founded in France, invented balloon light solutions and has served Events, Film, and Safety customers for more than 30 years. Airstar America, Inc. is the company’s U.S. branch, with locations in Orlando, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Marietta.

The Sirocco line includes the Sirocco 300, 300 Battery Pro-Pack, 500, 700, 1000, and 1300. Smaller models suit tighter work zones and mobile crews, and larger models cover wider areas such as highway work zones and large construction sites. Each model has a cutsheet and lighting chart on the Sirocco Support page.

Maximum output is 20,500 lumens on the Sirocco 300 Battery Pro-Pack, 22,000 on the Sirocco 300, 44,000 on the Sirocco 500, 66,000 on the Sirocco 700, 99,000 on the Sirocco 1000, and 132,000 on the Sirocco 1300. Measured 13 feet under the balloon, light levels are about 10 foot-candles (300), 18 (500), 41 (700), 61 (1000), and 65 (1300).

Coverage depends on the model, mounting height, and the light level your job requires. The radius to 0.5 foot-candles is 26.3 ft for the Sirocco 300 Battery Pro-Pack, 32.8 ft for the 300, 42.6 ft for the 500, 49.2 ft for the 700, 55.8 ft for the 1000, and 82 ft for the 1300. Use the lighting chart for your model on the Sirocco Support page, or call +1 (800) 217-9001 for help sizing your site.

Sirocco lights offer Bluetooth connectivity, individual and group lighting controls, remote dimming, and beacon and pulse effects. Dimming lets you set only the light a task needs, and beacon or pulse effects help signal a work zone or emergency scene.

Yes. Sirocco lights run from main power or a 2 kVA generator. The Sirocco 300 and 500 offer the PowerSwitch AC/DC option and accept the 52 VDC lithium-ion PowerPack, rated for about 10 hours. The Sirocco 300 Battery Pro-Pack is built for battery operation and runs 4 to 12 hours depending on the brightness mode.

PowerSwitch is an option for the Sirocco 300 and 500 that automatically detects voltage and maximizes power between AC and DC sources. It gives crews flexibility between a generator, mains power, and battery power in the field. It is not available on other Sirocco models.

The standard envelope has a reflector that directs light downward, a reversed-reflector envelope directs light upward, and an envelope without a reflector sends light in all directions. Lenticular envelopes (Sirocco 700 and 1000) maximize light under the balloon for paving, flex envelopes (Sirocco 1000 and 1300) are designed for long-term use, and branded envelopes (Sirocco 700, 1000, and 1300) carry your logo.

The P400-S is 13 ft and 17.6 lbs (Sirocco 300 and 500). The P480-S is 15.7 ft and 31 lbs, and the P630-S is 20 ft and 44 lbs, the tallest option (both for Sirocco 700, 1000, and 1300). The P500A pole mount is 17.6 ft and 22 lbs with no tripod. The P500AH is 17.6 ft and 53 lbs and is MASH TL-3 compliant.

Airstar recommends three sand bags (25 lbs) per stand. Sand is not included, so fill the bags on site. Sand bags fit all stand models.

Airstar safety lighting serves construction, roads and traffic, agriculture, oil and gas, mining, fire and rescue, EMS, disaster recovery, law enforcement, and military and defense. Any job that needs wide-area, glare-free light for people working at night or in low light is a fit.

Balloon lights are widely used in roadwork because they give diffused, glare-free light that does not blind drivers or crews. For work zones, Airstar offers the P500AH stand, which is MASH TL-3 compliant, and lenticular envelopes that concentrate light under the balloon for paving. Follow your agency’s work-zone rules for placement and mounting.

Yes. Diffused 360-degree light shows the whole scene without hard shadows, which helps responders see people, hazards, and equipment. Beacon and pulse effects can help mark a scene, and battery or DC options let you light a scene without a generator.

Sirocco lights have no mechanical systems and are designed for quick setup with plug-and-play performance. Each model has a quick start guide and a user manual on the Sirocco Support page.

Yes. Airstar balloon lights are rain and dust proof, fire-resistant, and built to withstand strong gusts of wind. The models we checked are rated IP54. Wind resistance is 50 mph on the Sirocco 300, 300 Battery Pro-Pack, and 500, and 60 mph on the 700 and 1300. Always lower the light and follow the user manual when severe weather is forecast.

It depends on the area, mounting height, and the light level required. Use the lighting chart for your model to see foot-candle levels at different heights, then add units until the work area is covered. For help, call Airstar America at +1 (800) 217-9001.

Yes. Airstar America offers U.S. inventory and logistics, turn-key delivery, quality assurance, over-the-phone diagnostics, multiple repair locations, and parts and accessories. Call +1 (800) 217-9001.

The Sirocco envelope and its electronic and structural components are covered for manufacturing defects for two years from the date of purchase. To make a claim, contact your Airstar authorized retailer and send the unit with a copy of your original receipt. Airstar repairs it and ships it back by land at its own expense. Misuse and unauthorized parts or tools are not covered.

Airstar sells direct and through authorized retailers and local sales reps. Call +1 (800) 217-9001 or use the contact form on airstar-light.us. Our headquarters is at 9603 Satellite Blvd, Suite 150, Orlando, FL 32837, and we also have locations in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.